Transport and Mobility

Information.

Family Fund Guide to Transport
The Family Fund have produced a guide for parent carers about transport issues. To view this document click here (63k pdf)

Door to Door website

A transport and travel website for disabled and less mobile people has been produced for the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC). The site provides information about transport and travel for disabled and less mobile people. It has direct links to the web sites of other organisations that carry more detailed information. The website will be updated regularly to reflect improvements in access to transport vehicles and interchanges, and providing information about changes to Legislation, regulations and good practice.  To visit the site click here www.dptac.gov.uk/door-to-door

Private transport.

The Blue Badge Scheme
The Blue Badge Scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties, and those registered blind who travel either as drivers or passengers. It allows badge holders to park near their destination. There are certain criteria around who can apply for a Blue Badge, and children must be over two years of age to qualify.

See this leaflet HERE for more information around criteria before making an application.

To make an application, contact your local Social Services office (e.g. Services for Disabled Children) and they will process the application. Two recent photographs of the disabled person will be required for the badge. There is an administration fee of £2 and badges need renewing every three years.  Contact:

Services for Disabled Children, Gilpin House, Blind Lane, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 5HX, Tel: 0191 566 2190, Fax: 0191 566 2191, e-mail: child.disability@ssd.sunderland.gov.uk.

Road Tax Exemption (Vehicle Excise Duty)
If your child gets the higher rate Disability Living Allowance Mobility Component, you may be eligible for exemption of Road Tax. You should have been sent a vehicle excise duty exemption form, which should be completed and returned. The DVLA will then make a decision on a case by case basis. If you have not received a vehicle excise duty exemption form, you can request one from:

DLA Unit, Warbreck House, Blackpool, FY2 0UE
Tel: (08457) 123456
For more information click here http://www.youreable.com

Motability Scheme
Motability is a national UK charity aiming to help disabled people and their families become more mobile. It works by having specially agreed terms with motor manufacturers, banks and insurers, so a variety of schemes can be offered to people to enable them to buy or lease a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. Schemes offered include leasing or buying new or used cars, including wheelchair accessible vehicles. Parents can apply for a vehicle for the use of their disabled child. Once a person has decided which scheme is for them they then use all or part of their mobility allowance to finance it. For more information click here http://www.motability.co.uk/ or contact Motability on:
Tel: (01279) 635999
Minicom: (01279) 632213
Fax: (01279) 632000

Public transport.

Nexus Care Service
This is a minibus service for people who cannot use the conventional public transport network in Tyne and Wear. The minibus can be used for any journey within Tyne and Wear, but it cannot be used for attending hospital appointments or to guarantee regular bookings. The service operates everyday between 8am and 11pm with some restrictions on public holidays. One escort can travel with the disabled person. A single journey costs each person £1.

To use the service, a person must be either:

• Registered as a blind person
• In receipt of the Mobility Allowance element of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• In receipt of Attendance Allowance
• Or have a doctor’s signature and practice stamp on the application form to certify that their physical abilities are affected, either temporarily or permanently.

A form to apply to use the service can be downloaded here (http://www.tyneandwearmetro.co.uk/pdf/care_services.pdf ) The form is then returned to Nexus with a passport sized photograph of the adult/ child applying to use the service. A Care Card and information will then be forwarded to you as soon as possible. For more information contact

Nexus House, 33 St James Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4AX
Tel: (0191) 2020 500
Minicom: (0191) 2020 501
Fax: (0191) 2020 521
Website: www.tyneandwearmetro.co.uk and click on ‘Care Services’

Concessionary Travel Passes
Below is a quick guide to concessionary travel for disabled children on public transport in Tyne and Wear:

Accompanied children under the age of 5 travel free.

School children aged 5-16 can claim concessionary fares Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm (except in August) with an Under 16 card. This includes travel on local buses, Metro, Shields Ferry, and Arriva Trains Northern services between Sunderland and Blaydon. Download an application form here http://www.tyneandwearmetro.co.uk, visit the website for more information or call into any Nexus Travelshop. The Under 16 card offers the cheapest fares.

For travel at other times, disabled children can apply for a Concessionary Travel pass, which allows travel throughout Tyne and Wear on public transport at a reduced rate. The pass can be used after 9am Monday to Friday, and all day at the weekend and on Bank Holidays. Everyone applying for a Concessionary Travel pass has to be assessed by Social Services first. To find out which local office you should attend, and what you need to take with you, contact Social Services on 0191 566 3400. If your child is eligible for a Concessionary Travel pass you will be given a Confirmation of Eligibility form to take to certain Nexus Travelshops. An application form can be downloaded here http://www.tyneandwearmetro.co.uk, or you can obtain one from any Nexus Travelshop.

For more information contact
Nexus Commercial and Retail Section, Nexus House, 33 St James Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4AX
Tel: (0191) 2020 500
Minicom: (0191) 2020 501
Fax: (0191) 2020 521
Website: www.tyneandwearmetro.co.uk and click on ‘ticket info’

Specialist transport.

North East Ambulance Service
The North East Ambulance Service provides Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services, as part of a wider role to transport patients. Patient Transport Services involve taking patients to and from home to out-patients’ appointments, clinics, physiotherapy or non-urgent inter-hospital transfers. The service can be booked by doctors, dentists and midwives, and is offered to patients on the basis of the patient’s medical condition, whether they have access to private or public transport, and the distance to be travelled. If your child has a health appointment to attend and you would like to use the ambulance service, you should speak to your doctor about this. For more information click here http://www.neambulance.nhs.uk/

Mobility.

Whizz-Kidz
This is a national children's charity aiming to give disabled children and young people independent mobility. They provide equipment not available through the NHS such as customised wheelchairs, tricycles and other specialised mobility equipment. For more information contact:
Whizz-Kidz
1Warwick Row, London, SW1E 5ER,Telephone: 0207 233 6600, Fax: 0207 233 6611.
e-mail info@whizz-kidz.org.uk
website: www.whizz-kidz.org.uk


Children's Mobility Centre
Whizz-Kidz' first ever children's mobility centre was opened in Newcastle in December 2003. It is based at Disability North, in Newcastle upon Tyne. The centre offers the opportunity for young disabled people and their families to try out equipment, and seek advice and impartial information. It will be staffed by centre coordinator, Gillian Wigham and supported by a team of volunteers and Whizz-Kidz mobility therapists. For more information or to book an appointment contact Gillian:
Children's Mobility Centre, Dene Centre, Castle Farm Road, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tel: 0191 284 0480
e-mail: Gillian@whizzkidz35.fsnet.co.uk

Travel and Transport information and services.
Click on the logos below to get taken to the relevant websites.

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