Darlington AssociationMobility Guide
Transport is a crucial part of independent living for disabled people, for getting to work, visiting friends, shopping, holidays and the freedom to go further afield. This section has details of local accessible transport, service provision both locally and nationally, and other mobility issues.
Contents
Local Services
Travel Advice
Bus Travel
Car Travel
Rail Travel
Air Travel
Sea Travel
Other sources of Information
Contacts
Local Services
The Shopmobility Scheme, run by Darlington Association on Disability provides a free manual/electric wheelchair and scooter loan service. A range of manual and motorised equipment is available to use around the town centre. Shopmobility is open from 9.30 - 5.00 Monday to Saturday. A town centre wheelchair route map highlighting the dropped kerb network is also available. Darlington Association on Disability has a website based map showing wheelchair accessible shops.
Darlington Borough Council operates a concessionary fares Scheme for disabled people and people over the age of sixty living in the Borough of Darlington. There are two options available to Darlington residents one of which is a bus pass which allow free bus travel not only within the Borough of Darlington, but on all local bus services in England . Taxi Vouchers are also available as an alternative, which may only be used for accessible vehicles. Application forms can be obtained from Darlington Borough Council or can be completed online following links on the Darlington Borough Council website. A list of wheelchair accessible vehicles is available from Darlington Association on Disability or from Darlington Borough Council.
Some accessible buses are operating on some of Darlington 's routes. Contact the bus companies directly or the Transport Department at Darlington Borough Council for details of these services.
Traveline North East provides comprehensive timetable and fare information for all local bus, metro, train and ferry journeys throughout the North East.
Ring-A-Ride is a bus service aimed at residents of Darlington who find it difficult to get in and out of town using public transport. The service operates like a taxi service with users calling up to two weeks in advance to book a journey. The service costs £3 per journey and is available daily Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm. The buses used can accommodate wheelchair users, and taxi vouchers can be used.
A leaflet is available from Darlington Borough Council and Darlington Association on Disability that gives details of car parks in Darlington , including those which provide free reserved spaces for blue badge holders. The Blue Badge Scheme permits cars carrying people who are registered blind or who have severe difficulties with walking to park near shops, stations and other facilities. Darlington Borough Council Adult Social Services Department administers the Scheme locally. The application process may involve giving medical details or providing a Doctor's letter. The badge belongs to the disabled person who qualifies for it, (who may or may not be a car driver), and can be used in any vehicle they are travelling in. Fines will be issued for misuse of a Blue Badge. Owners can be issued with a parking ticket if a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge is parked over or obstructing a dropped kerb.
Local Motion is a local service which has been set up by Darlington Borough Council and which provides advice on how people can use different forms of transport, both locally and nationally. They also advise on how to adopt an environmentally friendly approach to using different forms of transport and organise local events to promote green forms of transport, such as cycling and walking.
Darlington Association on Disability 's Access Interest Group works to highlight and resolve the problems disabled people encounter in Darlington while trying to access services, including transport. The g roup works with representatives from the local authority, police, traffic wardens, public transport providers and private hire firms (taxi companies). It runs regular campaigns to ensure that Blue Badges are not misused.
Return to ContentsTravel Advice
The government set up the Disabled Persons' Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) in 1985 as an independent body to advise it on the transport needs of all disabled people. Its role has been extended to advise Ministers on the needs of disabled people in the built environment. It has produced several useful documents, which are available from its website.
A number of organisations provide information on mobility issues relevant to their members. These include, for example, Epilepsy Action , RNIB , Spinal Injuries Association and the Stroke Association.
Return to ContentsBus Travel
The National Express Coach Service publishes its Code of Practice for Disabled Passengers on its website. It also provides a specialist booking service to make sure your travel requirements can be met, as far as possible.
Return to ContentsCar Travel
The following organisations provide information on learning to drive, obtaining insurance, choosing a car, getting your needs assessed and having modifications made to controls and access.
The Forum of Mobility Centres is a network of 17 independent organisations covering England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland , which offer professional, high quality information, advice and assessment to individuals who have a medical condition or are recovering from an accident or injury which may affect their ability to drive or use a car. All the centres offer advice and assessment to people who wish to begin, or return to driving following an illness, injury or accident. They also offer advice with regard to getting in and out of a vehicle and with regard to loading and transporting a wheelchair or a scooter in a motor vehicle. Some Centre's also offer assessment and advice with regard to wheelchair or scooter selection. The nearest centre to Darlington is North East Drive Mobility based in Newcastle .
Motability operates leasing and hire purchase schemes for people entitled to the War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement or Disability Living Allowance (higher rate mobility component), if awarded for three years plus. This offers assistance in hiring a new car, buying on hire purchase new or used cars or wheelchairs. Motability can provide a list if local car dealers who participate in the Motability scheme. In some cases Motability can also provide financial assistance with the deposit required for leasing. Most participating dealers may also provide discounted vehicles to people in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (higher rate mobility component) without using Motability.
There are a number of specialist insurance brokers. For an extensive list contact Darlington Association on Disability or RADAR . You have a responsibility to declare the full facts about your impairment and about all adaptations made to your car. If you do not, this could invalidate any claim.
Several motoring organisations, for example, the Disabled Motorists' Federation and Mobilise offer advice and publish information on mobility issues such as legal requirements, insurance and vehicle conversions. Membership of these organisations may also include travel discounts.
The recovery services, for example AA, RAC or Green Flag, offer specialist support and information for disabled members, including a variety of concessions.
RADAR produces an annual guide called Get Motoring, the Guide to everything the disabled motorist needs to know about finding, financing and maintaining a car. The guide is free and downloadable from RADAR's website.
Ricability is a consumer research charity focussing on older and disabled people which has a number of publications and consumer reports on subjects such as buying a car, insurance, adaptations, measurements, prices and reliability.
Return to ContentsRail Travel
The Disabled Persons' Railcard allows disabled people to buy rail tickets at reduced rates of up to a third for a period from twelve months (one year), up to thirty-six months (three years). If another adult is travelling with the disabled person, they can also travel at the same discounted fare. There are qualifying criteria, which must be met before a Railcard will be issued.
Children aged from five to fifteen may also be eligible for a Disabled Persons' Railcard. Although they only need to pay the normal child's fare, an adult can travel with them at the discounted rate of one third off the adult fare.
To buy a Railcard you need to complete an application form and send it with a copy of proof of entitlement and payment. Application forms are available from main railway stations, and are included in the booklet “Rail Travel for Disabled Passengers”. An application form can also be completed online from the Disabled Persons' Railcard Website . The site also enables visitors to check access at stations throughout the country.
To arrange a train journey in the UK contact National Rail Enquiries . Many ticket office windows have been fitted with induction loops. These windows should be clearly marked. A rrangements can be made for disabled passengers when travelling by train. For example, National Rail Enquiries can usually arrange for staff to assist passengers onto and off a train if sufficient and ideally more than 24 hours' notice is given. You should give your travel requirements when booking so they are prepared. Most trains can accommodate wheelchair users. New rolling stock also has facilities to assist people with a sensory impairment, for example, visual and audible public information. All Inter-City services are wheelchair accessible. Access to the train is provided by means of ramps kept at stations. Disabled people who require assistance are strongly advised to contact the stations at both ends of their journey, plus any stations where changes are required, to ensure that someone is available.
Eurostar services operating from London to Paris and Brussels are fully accessible to wheelchair users. Two wheelchair spaces are available in two first class carriages on each Eurostar train. Wheelchair users pay the lowest available standard class fare. A companion can also travel at a discounted rate.
Return to ContentsAir Travel
RADAR has a travel guide which includes advice for air travellers entitled ‘There and Back’.
The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) has also published a Guide for disabled air travellers entitled ‘Access to Air Travel’. It sets out what you should expect from airports and airlines including accessibility issues at the airport from arrival through the checking-in process to the departure gate.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also has an easy to use guide for air travellers on its website.
Airlines have varying practices with regard to passengers who have an impairment and it always best to check beforehand what they may require. Information regarding procedures for boarding, carriage of wet cell batteries or wheelchairs, use of oxygen, toilet facilities and so on should be available from your travel/booking agent, airlines and airports.
Return to ContentsSea Travel
The range of facilities available to disabled people varies considerably from port to port. Many ferries are equipped with lifts and wheelchair accessible toilets. It is essential that you check facilities well in advance, and that you let the company know of your travel requirements.
Check with your ferry company or your travel/booking agent for details of facilities provided. Some shipping companies will give concessions to disabled motorists using car ferries. For details of accessible ferries and cruise ships contact Darlington Association on Disability or RADAR .
Holidays on cruise ships are not covered by the Disability Discrimination Act; operators may not have to make any reasonable adjustment and can refuse to accept disabled passengers. It is very important to check accessibility thoroughly before making a booking.
Return to ContentsOther Sources of Information
Other Sections of the Darlington Association on Disability Information Guide may contain further information relevant to mobility issues.
The Consumer Issues Section gives details on the National Key Scheme for accessible toilets.
The Legal Rights Section gives general information on how to access legal advice if you believe you may have been discriminated against.
There are a number of local and national organisations providing broad information and advice resources. Please refer to this Guide's Introduction for where to find the relevant contact details within this Section.
Contact Darlington Association on Disability's Information Service for assistance with searching for information about any subject in this Guide or for support in dealing with your information requests.
Return to ContentsContacts
AA (Automobile Association)
Contact Centre
Lambert House
Stockport Road
Cheadle SK8 2DY
Telephone : 0870 600 0371 for general enquiries
Disability Helpline : 0800 26 20 50
Fax : 0161 488 7544
Minicom : 0800 3282810
E-mail : contact through website
Website : www.theaa.com
Darlington Association on Disability
Shopmobility Service
20-22 Horsemarket
Darlington DL1 5PT
Telephone 01325 489999
Fax : 01325 488188
Minicom : 01325 245 061
Email : mail@darlingtondisability.org
Website : www.darlingtondisability.org
Town centre accessibility website : www.wheelygood.org
Darlington Borough Council
Town Hall
Feethams
Darlington DL1 5QT
Tel: 01325 388641
Fax :
Minicom :
E-mail : enquiries@darlington.gov.uk
Website : www.darlington.gov.uk
Darlington Borough Council Adult Social Services Department
Information and Assessment Team
Central House
Gladstone Street
Darlington DL3 6JX
Telephone : 01325 346200
Fax : 01325 346474
Minicom : 01325 468504
E-mail : enquiries@darlington.gov.uk
Website : www.darlington.gov.uk
Disabled Motorists' Federation
Mr John E Killick
Honorary Secretary
145 Knoulberry Road
Blackfell
Washington
Tyne & Wear
NE37 1JN
Telephone : 0191 416 3172
Fax: 0191 416 3172
Minicom :
Email : jkillick2214@compuserve.com
Website :
Disabled Persons Railcard Office
PO Box 163
Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE12 9WX
Telephone : 0845 605 0525
Fax :
Minicom : 0845 601 0132
E-mail: enquiry@atoc.org
Website : www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk
Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC)
Zone 4/24
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
Telephone : 0207 944 8011
Fax : 0207 944 6998
Minicom : 0207 944 3277
E-mail : dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Website : www.dptac.gov.uk
Epilepsy Action
New Anstey House
Gate Way Drive
Yeadon
LEEDS
LS19 7XY
Telephone : 0113 210 8800
Helpline : Freephone 0808 800 5050
Fax : 0113 391 0300
Minicom :
Email : epilepsy@epilepsy.org.uk
Website : www.epilepsy.org.uk
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Telephone helpline : 0845 850 2829
Fax :
Minicom :
Email: TravelAdvicePublicEnquiries@fco.gov.uk
Website : www.fco.gov.uk
Forum of Mobility Centres
The Forum of Mobility Centres
c/o Providence Chapel
Warehorne
Ashford
Kent
TN26 2JX
Telephone : 0800 559 3636
Fax :
Minicom :
Email : mobility@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk
Website : www.mobility-centres.org.uk
Green Flag
Green Flag Motoring Assistance
3 Edridge Road
Croydon
Surrey CR9 1 AG
Telephone : 0845 246 1557
Fax :
Minicom :
E-mail : members-queries@greenflag.com
Website : www.greenflag.co.uk
Local Motion
Team Local Motion
Suite 109 - 111
The Imperial Centre
Grange Road
Darlington
DL1 5NQ
Telephone : 0800 458 9810
Fax :
Minicom :
Email : dothelocalmotion@darlington.org.uk
Website : www.dothelocalmotion.co.uk
Mobilise
National Headquarters
Ashwellthorpe
Norwich
NR16 1EX
Telephone : 01508 489 449
Fax : 01508 488 173
Minicom :
Email : enquiries@mobilise.info
Website: www.mobilise.info
Motability
Warwick House
Roydon Road
Harlow
Essex
CM19 5PX
Telephone : 01279 635 999
Fax : 01279 632 000
Minicom : 01279 632 213
Email : Contact through Website
Website : www.motability.co.uk
National Express
Ensign Court
4 Vicarage Road
Edgbaston
Birmingham B15 3ES
Telephone : 0871 781 8181 for bookings
Disabled Persons Travel Helpline : 0871 781 8179
Fax :
Minicom : 0121 455 0086
E-mail : contact through website
Website : www.nationalexpress.com/coach
National Rail Enquiries
Registered Office
3rd Floor
40 Bernard Street
London
WC1N 1BY
Telephone 0845 748 4950
Minicom : 0845 605 0600
TrainTracker : 0871 200 4950
TrainTracker Text : Text Station Name to : 84950
Email : Contact through Website
Website : www.nationalrail.co.uk
North East Drive Mobility
Centre for Neuro-rehabilitation and Neuro-psychiatry
Walkergate Park
Benfield Road
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE6 4QD
Telephone : 0191 287 5090
Fax :
Minicom :
Email : northeast.drivemobility@ntw.nhs.uk
Website :
RAC
Customer services
RAC Motoring Services
Great Park Road
Bradley Stoke
Bristol BS32 4QN
Telephone : 0870 572 2722
Fax :
E-mail : contact through website
Website : www.rac.co.uk
RADAR
12 City Forum
250 City Road
London EC1V 8AF
Telephone : 0207 250 3222
Fax : 0870 141 0337
Minicom : 0207 250 4119
E-mail : radar@radar.org.uk
Website : www.radar.org.uk/radarwebsite
Ricability
Research Institute for Consumer Affairs
30 Angel Gate
City Road
London EC1V 2PT
Telephone : 0207 427 2460
Fax : 0207 427 2468
Minicom : 0207 427 2469
E-mail : mail@ricability.org.uk
Website : www.ricability.org.uk
Ring a Ride
Darlington and District Youth and Community Association
59 Bondgate
Darlington
DL3 7JJ
Telephone : 01325 483344
Fax : 01325 246150
Minicom :
E-mail : hemmingwayg@aol.com
Website : www.ddyca.co.uk
Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB)
105 Judd Street
London WC1H 9NE
Telephone: 0207 388 1266
Helpline: 0845 766 9999 or 0207 388 2525
Fax: 0207 388 2034
Minicom :
E-mail : helpline@rnib.org.uk
Website: www.rnib.org.uk
Royal National Institute of Deaf People (RNID)
19-23 Featherstone Street
London
EC1Y 8SL
Telephone: 0207 926 8000
Information Line : 0808 808 0123
Fax: 0207 296 8199
Minicom (Head Office) : 0207 926 8001
Minicom (Information Line) : 0808 808 9000
Email : informationline@rnid.org.uk
Website : www.rnid.org.uk
Spinal Injuries Association
SIA House
2 Trueman Place
Milton Keynes MK6 2HH
Telephone : 0845 678 6633
Fax : 0845 070 6911
Freephone Advice Line : 0800 980 0501
Advice Line Text Service : Text SIA then your message to : 81025
Minicom : 0800 959 598
E-mail : sia@spinal.co.uk
Website : www.spinal.co.uk
Stroke Association
240 City Road
London EC1V 2PR
Telephone : 0207 566 0300
Fax : 0207 490 2686
Helpline : 0845 303 3100
Minicom : 0207 251 9096
E-mail : info@stroke.org.uk
Website : www.stroke.org.uk
Traveline North East and Cumbria
c/o Stagecoach Depot
Shields Road
Walkergate
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE6 2BZ
Telephone : 0871 200 2233
Fax :
Minicom :
Email : info@travelinenortheast.info
Website : www.travelinenortheast.info