Your Privacy and Legal Disclaimer

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this website is
(c) Preston DISC unless otherwise stated. 

Transport For disabled people and their carers

48% of disabled people polled said that transport was their biggest concern (DRC 2002).

What is Shopmobility ? 

Shopmobility is a scheme which lends manual and powered wheelchairs and powered scooters to members of the public with limited mobility, to shop and use the leisure and commercial facilities of the town, city centre or shopping centre. 

For further information and details of your local shopmobility scheme please contact The National Federation of Shopmobility.

83 High Street, Worcester, WR1 2ET

Tel & Fax: 01905-617761

Rail Travel for Disabled Passengers  

Train companies have adopted a National Standard to ensure that passengers with disabilities are offered a common high level of service when travelling on the National Rail network.

The National Rail Standard applies to the following groups:

Wheelchair users

Wheelchair users in need of assistance

Registered blind or partially sighted

Holders of a Disabled Persons Railcard

Registered deaf

Registered disabled

or any persons covered by the Disability Discrimination Act

If you, or someone travelling with you, needs help during your journey or at stations, the journey care scheme can make forward arrangements to make your journey easier.  Call the Journeycare reservation service at least 24 hours in advance by calling 08457 44 33 66 or 08457 44 33 67 for textphone users.

To qualify for a Disabled Persons Railcard you must meet one of the criteria listed below:

registered visually impaired

registered deaf

have epilepsy, and are disabled by recurrent attacks in spite of drug treatment

receive Attendance Allowance

receive Disability Living Allowance (in the Higher Rate for help getting around, or in the Higher/Middle Rates for help with personal care).

receive Severe Disablement Allowance

receive War Pensioners Mobility Supplement

receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability

are the driver of a vehicle provided under the pre 1976 Invalid Vehicle Scheme

are buying or leasing a vehicle the ‘Mobility’ scheme

Disabled travel enquiries 0845 7 48 49 50,  (Textphone 0845 60 50 600).

Disabled Persons Railcard enquiries 0191 269 0303 (Textphone 0191 269 0304)

Buses 

The Disability Discrimination Act enables the government to make regulations, known as accessibility regulations, to require that all new buses brought into service after 31^st December 1998 are accessible to disabled people

get on and off public transport vehicles in safety

travel in them in safety and reasonable comfort

As the majority of public transport vehicles were built before this time and as yet are not covered by the act, it is advisable before travelling to check  on the accessibility with the operator

National Express London, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, etc 08705 808080

Stagecoach Lancashire 0870 608 2 608

Stagecoach Ribble 01772-886633

Fishwick & Sons (Leyland) 01772-421207

Preston Bus (Central bus station) 01772-821199 Depo 01772-253671

Preston Community Transport 01772-204667

Taxi  

The Act requires drivers of accessible taxis to:

help disabled people in and out of their taxis

help disabled people with their luggage

carry free of charge a guide dog accompanying a blind person

carry free a hearing dog accompanying a deaf person

The majority of public hire taxis are accessible and these can be contacted at your local bus or railway station or through Yellow pages

Other useful contact numbers 

The disabled drivers motor club known as the DDMC is a specialist voluntary organisation run by and for disabled people who have an interest in motoring and independent mobility

The Disabled Drivers Motor Club,
Cottingham Way, Thrapston, Northants, NN14 4PL.

Tel 01832-73472

Email ddmc@ukonline.co.uk 

Web http://web.ukonline.co.uk/ddmc 

Mobility Scheme 

To be eligible for the Mobility Scheme, your Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMC of DLA) needs to have been awarded to you for long enough to cover the full length of the agreement you choose. plus an extra eight weeks to cover processing time.

For more information contact:

Mobility, Goodman House, Station Approach, 
Harlow, Essex, GM20 2ET.

Tel 01279-635666 (Minicom 01279-632273)

Monday/Friday 8-45a.m. to 5-15p.m

The Blue Badge Scheme 

The Blue Badge Scheme provides national arrangements of parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or passengers.  The Scheme also applies to registered blind people, and people with severe upper limb disabilities who regularly drive a vehicle but cannot turn a steering wheel by hand.  It allows badge holders to park close to their destination, but the national concessions apply only to on street parking.

Where to Apply: 

(1) England and Wales - the Social Services Department of your County, Unitary, Metropolitan District or London Borough Council.

(2) In Scotland - to the Chief Executive or Social Works Department of your local Council.

Your local authority will decide if you are eligible for a badge.  There is no right of appeal against their decision if you do not meet the eligibility conditions.

Disability Rights Commission 

A good contact for advice on any Transport, Access, or Mobility problems.

2^nd Floor Arndale House, The Arndale Centre,
Manchester M4 3AQ

Telephone 08457-622633

Textphone 08457-622644

Fax 08457-778878

E-mail enquiry@drc-gd.org 

Website www.drc-gb.org 

Preston DISC - Providing disabled people and their carers in Preston and District with high quality, free, confidential information and advice.  

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Preston Disability Information Services Centre (DISC)
103 Church Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 3BS.
T: 01772 558863 - Email: info@prestondisc.org.uk

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