| Disabilities |
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| Mobility is
essential to all our lives, but most particularly to people with a
disability. Mobility can mean the difference between being able to have a
job, go shopping, have access to education, simply get a change of scene
or not I will be able to help you towards your mobility. |
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I am trained to understand the
requirements of people with disabilities and with techniques learned at
"Queen Elizabeth's Foundation Mobility Centre”.
If you suffer with any physical or
even visual disorder you must ensure that the D.V.L.A consider you fit to
drive, and are happy to issue you with a provisional licence.
The restrictions are laid down in a
booklet "Medical Fitness to Drive" which is published by the Medical
Commision on Accident Prevention. This sets out the standards used by the
D.S.A to assess fitness to drive. If you are unsure whether you will be
allowed to drive or not you should approach your Doctor for advice or
information. |
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| If you have a hearing impairment
there is no reason why you cannot learn to drive either a manual or
automatic vehicle. You are likely to take longer than the average learner,
and obviously learning in an automatic vehicle would be slightly quicker.
We have been specially trained and have experience in teaching pupils with
this problem. |
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Theory Test
When you are ready to take your theory
test special arrangements can be made for those who are dyslexic or have
other reading difficulties, who are deaf or who have other physical
disabilities . These arrangements must be made in advance when booking the
test.
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Driving Test
When you
are ready to take your practical test you must also at time of completing
the booking disclose all relevent information as requested. For example in
the case of someone who is profoundly deaf by disclosing this information
the examiner can then be properly prepared and extra time can be allocated
for the test to allow for slower communication. |
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A
disability is not an automatic bar to driving provided the person is
medically fit to drive and is able to control the vehicle safely.
There
is a large, and growing, support network for people with disabilities
where assessments, advice and help can be obtained as well as the
advancement in technology giving greater choice of car adaptations,
If you
have the desire to drive but feel that, because of some form of
disability, you wouldn’t be allowed, my advice is to ask.
Having
decided that you wish to drive, work through these stages and act on the
advice given.
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No. 1
Contact your own GP or hospital consultant and explain your
intensions. They will know if there is an underlying problem or if your
disability will be aggravated by the physical movements of driving. Ask
them if they feel that you should have a driving assessment.
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N0. 2
A full driving assessment, carried out at a recommended
centre, will test for all the physical and visual requirements and issue a
report. You may even get to drive a car on the hospital grounds, even if
you do not yet hold a provisional licence. (Links for finding assessment
centres follow)
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No.3
Having obtained your report, this will contain advice on
the recommended adaptations required, you need to do a number of things.
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Obtain
the names of driving instructors, in your area, who have suitably adapted
vehicles. (These can be found at Assessment centres, advertised in the
local directories - Some useful addresses follow). Contact them,
initially, for a general chat, agree prices and to get a feeling for the
person. Before booking lessons, ask the school if you can sit in the car
to check that it suits you. All cars are not the same for accessibility
and elbow room.
If you
have not already applied for a provisional driving licence, expect to be
asked by the DVLA for a medical history from your GP, a report from an
assessment centre or even to undergo a medical check. All are for your
benefit.
You
will need your licence before you can begin taking lessons. |
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FINDING ASSESSMENT CENTRES
A good starting
point for information is on the website of MAVIS
MAVIS is
www.dda.org.uk
Click here for
link to Mobility Centre. |
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