Your Mobility

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking concessions for people with severe mobility problems who have difficulty using public transport. The passes are issued so that people who need them can park close to where they need to go.

The scheme is managed by each local council and operates throughout the UK. The government provides guidance and information on how to run and enforce the scheme, which can be found on the government website or on the East Riding council website.

You can visit the following websites to find out more about the Blue Badge scheme:

• www.gov.uk for government information
  or
• www.eastriding.gov.uk for local information

Scooters are ideal for people who may have difficulty walking long distances but can walk for short periods. Due to their size, many are not suitable for use inside. Smaller scooters are suitable in very smooth, flat areas (sometimes weight limits are 14 stone or less). As the scooter size grows so does the weight limit, their ability to negotiate hills and cope with rougher surfaces and the distance they can travel between charges. Please bear in mind that distances quoted on leaflets are for the flat so if you use your scooter in a hilly area you may achieve only half the maximum distance between charges.

There are three wheel and four wheel versions. The four wheel versions are more stable than the three wheelers but a little less manoeuvrable. There are also 4 mph and 8 mph versions. Scooters that go faster than 4 mph are called class 3 scooters and have to be registered with the DVLA (your scooter supplier will give you a form).

The registration is currently free of charge.

Some of the smaller scooters can be dismantled to fit into car boots. You need to make sure you have somewhere you can keep and charge your scooter, and that it will go round any tricky corners you usually come across.

Prices range between £500 and £3000. Generally batteries will need to be replaced every 1-2 years (they cost about £40 - £80 each).

It's very important you buy a scooter from a supplier who can show you how to use it safely and let you try it in your local area. 4 mph scooters are not designed to be used on roads and all scooters should be used at slow speeds on pavements to respect other pavement users.

Accessories such as powered wheels and attendant motors are available to help users who may find pushing difficult.

Manual wheelchairs are available for a variety of uses and the range of prices reflects this (from approx. £150 to £3000). There are models ideal for occasional use such as day trips, ones that are designed for everyday use and others which are custom built for the active user for everyday use or for specific sports.

It's important to make sure you get the right sized wheelchair both for the user and for its environment (will it fit through doorways,or in the car?) and also that it's light enough for the user and/or the attendant. Trained staff can help you find the right wheelchair and it's strongly recommended to try before you buy.

If you usually have a wheelchair provided by 'NHS Wheelchair Services', you can choose the 'independent option' to receive a voucher instead and put it towards the purchase of a wheelchair of your choice from one of the wheelchair service's approved suppliers.

Most people with disabilities do not have to pay VAT if they are buying a wheelchair for their personal use. The wheelchair supplier will provide a form to be completed to allow the VAT exemption.

Power wheelchairs are ideal for people who need the support a wheelchair can provide and the mobility the power offers. Not all power wheelchairs are suitable for outdoor use, so make sure the one you have will cope outdoors. It's possible to get many options such as kerb climbers, different tyre types (to cope with rougher ground) or with trays, bags and so on.

Some powerchairs can be dismantled to fit into cars, but bear in mind some parts such as the batteries and the motors are heavy. Other powerchairs can not be dismantled, and to transport them, you will need to use ramps and cars or vans with a flat bed boot.

A lot of powerchairs now offer options such as tilt in space, powered standing and recline facilities and also seat height raisers to allow the user to reach high cupboards.

Other powerchairs are extremely sophisticated pieces of equipment and can be set up to aid communication and control the user's local environment (computers, lights).

It's essential that powerchairs are tried out both by the user and any attendants in the area where they will be used. Suppliers will be happy to give free demonstrations at home and make sure trained staff are there both to make an assessment and also ensure everyone knows how to use the powerchair safely.
Prices range from £2000 - £20,000. Most people with disabilities do not have to pay VAT if they are buying a wheelchair for their personal use. The wheelchair supplier will provide a form to be completed to allow the VAT exemption.

Accessories such as powered wheels and attendant motors are available to help users who may find pushing difficult.

Wheelchairs and Rollators

One of the ways to get a wheelchair or Rollators is through the NHS. To request either a new wheelchair or a short term loan of a wheelchair for medical reasons (for example illness or an accident), please contact your GP or hospital consultant. They will make a referral for an assessment to the Services to the NRS.

For more information Visit Blatchford Mobility here: https://www.blatchford.co.uk/clinical-services/nhs-patients/wheelchair-services/

Personal wheelchair budgets

April 2018 saw the introduction of Personal Wheelchair Budgets to the East Riding of Yorkshire, designed to provide wheelchair users with greater choice regarding their wheelchair provision. This has now replaced the previous wheelchair voucher scheme.

Individuals are now supported to be even more involved in the process, focusing upon what matters most to them about their wheelchair and having greater options available to them in deciding how best to meet their needs. Under the new system wheelchair users will have three options:

1. Notional Personal Wheelchair Budget (standard NHS provision) This means the provision of a basic wheelchair which will meet a persons identified needs.
2.  Notional Personal Wheelchair Budget with contribution This option allows a person or another agency (such as a voluntary or charitable organisation) to contribute their personal budget towards a higher specification NHS wheelchair or add additional features.
3. Third Party Personal Wheelchair Budget This allows a person to use their personal budget as a contribution to buying a wheelchair from an independent retailer outside of the NHS. This is only available if the wheelchair is deemed clinically appropriate following a discussion with a wheelchair therapist.

For further information visit : https://www.eastridingofyorkshireccg.nhs.uk/your-personal-health-budgets/personal-wheelchair-budgets/

Wheelchair loans and short term needs

The following organisations also supply wheelchairs on short-term loans. Please contact them for details of any eligibility criteria and charging

• British Red Cross Society - telephone: 01482 499 830
• Age UK - telephone: 01482 324 644

Repairs, servicing or collection of wheelchairs

For repairs, servicing and collection of wheelchairs, please contact the NRS Hull and East Riding via –

email: enquiries@her.nrs-uk.net (Opens in a new window)

telephone 03448 936 375

in person –

Hull & East Riding NHS Wheelchair Service

Wheelchair Assessment Centre

11, Reed Street Hull

HU2 8JJ

Please note: NRS can only provide this service if the wheelchair was supplied by them. If you bought the chair privately, you are responsible for any repairs.

Safe travel in your wheelchair

Unwin Safety Systems Unwin

is an Autoadapt company, which deliveries wheelchair safety solutions to help maximise accessibility for all. They have a database which holds details of many UK manufactured wheelchairs and their online wheelchair guide can give you guidance on safe travel in your wheelchair.

Visit the Unwin Safety systems website here (Opens in a new window)

Alternatively, you can contact them by telephone on 01935 827 740.

Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RICA)

Rica provide consumer information and user reviews to help disabled and older people choose the right products and services to lead an independent life. RICA also has information and advice on transport which you can access by using the link provided.

Find out more about travelling safely on public transport here (Opens in a new window)

Alternatively, You can Contact them via –

email: mail@ridc.org.uk (Opens in a new window)

telephone: 020 7427 2460

Mobility Scooter hire in the East Riding of Yorkshire

Independent Mobility

Buying, Renting or Leasing a New or Used Mobility Scooter from Independent Mobility could not be simpler. They have a wide range of products to suit all requirements and all budgets.

They offer a minimum 12-month parts and labour warranty along with 3 months free Insurance so you can buy with confidence. Whether you’re looking for a small scooter to put in your car or a large 8mph hour scooter, or anything in-between, There is a wide range of choice to meet your needs.

For further information Visit their website: https://www.independentmobility.co.uk/mobility-scooters Or visit in person at:

Hull East & Central

943 Spring Bank West

Hull

East Yorkshire

HU5 5BE

01482 503655

Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am -5pm

32 Witham

Hull

East Yorkshire

HU9 1BY

01482 338338

Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am -5pm

Beverley

Unit 4B, Belprin Park, Swinemoor Lane

Beverley

East Yorkshire

HU17 0LN

01482 862015

Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am.-5pm

Mobility scooter Hire at Flemingate Shopping

In conjunction, with allmobility Beverley, Flemingate can now offer shoppers and visitors the option of hiring a motorised scooter or manual wheelchair to make the most of their visit to Flemingate.

With a range of six to eight miles, the motorised pavement scooter has a top speed of four miles an hour and features a handy shopping bag on the back.

To hire a mobility vehicle, customers will need proof of identification which should be either a valid passport, valid driver's license or a utility bill dated within the last three months, and will be required to complete a hire agreement form. Training is also provided for first time users.

The mobility vehicles can be hired from the car park office, near the entrance to the car park, for a charge of £10 for one day, and are subject to availability.

Contact the Flemingate Office on 01482 867024 between 8am - 4pm Monday to Friday or visit www.flemingate.co.uk for more information.