Mobility hub unravels travel knots in England for disabled people
Occupational Therapists are driving home a new hub that makes travelling around England much easier for people living with mobility and other neuro challenges.
The Hubs Mobility Advice Service (HMAS) covers 15 areas of the country and can advise on accessible travel options within each of them.
The guidance includes the safe use of mobility scooters on trains, local wheelchair-friendly bus services, and tips on travelling independently without a car.
And, reassuringly, among the HMAS experts offering such advice and support are specifically trained occupational therapists (OTs).
It’s important that people have the right mobility solutions available and can access transport safely, so they feel able to get out of the house and build their social connections and quality of life. 
Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People [1]
The hubs are being coordinated by the charity Driving Mobility. Fifteen of its twenty centres will provide assessments for fitness to drive and mobility equipment.
Supported by the Department of Transport and led by OTs and driving instructors, these centres help people to achieve driving independence after a diagnosis that impacts their mobility.
Now, however, people unable to drive can find help too, using HMAS.
Covering South London, Surrey, and Sussex, one of the 15 hubs, the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People explains why the scheme is so vital [1].
“If you don’t drive and have a physical or hidden disability, using public transport can sometimes seem complicated and a bit daunting.
“It’s important that people have the right mobility solutions available and can access transport safely, so they feel able to get out of the house and build their social connections and quality of life.”
The QEF’s hub information and support services cover the following:
- accessible transport in local areas
- individual mobility options
- local befriending schemes
- local well-being and community groups
- supportive organisations specific to the diagnosis
Find your local hub in England via the HMAS website.
More travel help
Bus passengers with mobility challenges may also find the Journey Assistance scheme useful.
Introduced by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) and using a card system, the scheme supports passengers with symptoms of a diagnosis that may not be immediately obvious to other people who don’t know them.
Find out more about the free downloadable cards via the charity, Bus Users, which aims to ensure transport links are accessible to all, here: [3]
For people with a hidden disability, it can be really hard to show other passengers that we need extra help when we’re travelling.
it’s everyone’s journey [4]
Train passengers with mobility challenges can find help along their journey via Passenger Assist, a scheme run by the UK’s rail companies.
And the Government’s inclusive transport campaign, ‘it’s everyone’s journey’, in partnership with disability groups and disabled people, offers further support and guidance on:
- Changing Places toilet locations
- Accessible facilities on ferries
- Disabled passengers’ rights when travelling
- Recognising and reporting hate crime
- Assistance in Scotland and Wales
Charities involved in the campaign include:
- Alzheimer’s Society
- Scope
- National Autistic Society
- Parkinsons UK,
- Leonard Cheshire
- Shaw Trust
- Mencap
- Guide Dogs
- RNIB
Find out more about ‘it’s everyone’s journey' here: [4]
Further reading
Six accessible fundraising walks - to go fund-raising for your favourite neuro charity with your walking aid, wheelchair, or mobility scooter!
Which 2023 wheelchair or mobility scooter would you choose to chum up with? We look at some of the latest models in our new series, Mobility matchmaking
Recently on talkingheads...
References
1. Hubs Mobility Advice Service - QEF
2. Hubs Mobility Advice Service