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BLUE BADGE
It is a nationally recognised parking concession, applicable to on-street parking for people with severe walking difficulties, or who are registered blind, or who drive but have severe upper limb disabilities so that they cannot turn a steering wheel by hand. There are strict qualifications but if you would like to find out more, contact Customer First Tel: 08456 023 023.Alternative badge schemes - some towns have these for their own residents. Please note that blue badge holders may not use these reserved places.
BY AIR
Airports usually have facilities to help disabled passengers, but they will need prior notification.
BY SEA
Some lines have lifts and toilets suitable for wheelchair users. Check with your travel agent or ferry company.
COMMERCIAL COACH HIRE (Lift Equipped Vehicles)
- Belle Coaches Tel: 01728 830414
- Chambers Coaches Tel: 01787 227233
- Felix Taxis/Buses Tel: 01787 310574
- Grebe Coaches Tel: 01502 677437
COMMUNITY CAR SERVICES
Volunteer drivers use their cars to take passengers on essential journeys.
- Aldeburgh, Leiston & Saxmundham Tel: 01728 831215
- Bungay & Beccles Tel: 01986 895665
- Bury St Edmunds Tel: 01284 724545
- Eye Tel: 01379 871200
- Felixstowe Tel: 01394 282857
- Forest Heath Tel: 01638 608049
- Framlingham Tel: 01728 621262
- Halesworth Tel: 01986 874290
- Haverhill Tel: 01440 712028
- Ipswich & Babergh Tel: 01473 216642
- Lowestoft Tel: 01502 589782
- Mid-Suffolk Tel: 01449 614271
- Shotley Tel: 01473 281194
- St Edmundsbury WRVS Tel: 01284 787145
- Southwold Tel: 01502 724549
- Sudbury Area Tel: 01787 242116
- Woodbridge Tel: 01473 738292
COMMUNITY MINIBUSES (lift equipped vehicles)
- Bungay Tel: 01986 896896
- Bury St Edmunds Tel: 01284 724545
- Forest Heath Tel: 01638 608022
- Hadleigh Tel: 01473 828202
- Halesworth Tel: 01986 875900
- Hartismere Tel: 01379 870672
- Haverhill. Tel: 01440 712028
- Ipswich Tel: 01473 281194
- Lavenham Tel: 01787 888084
- Mid-Suffolk Tel: 01449 614271
- Southwold Tel: 01502 722600
DIAL A RIDE SERVICES
Lift equipped and easy access minibuses provide a door to door local service in urban and rural areas. Contact:
- Bury St Edmunds Tel: 01284 724545
- Diss Tel: 01379 854800
- Felixstowe Tel: 01394 270339
- Hadleigh Tel: 01473 828202
- Haverhill Tel: 01440 712028
- Ipswich & Shotley Tel: 01473 281194
- Mid Suffolk Tel: 01449 614271
- Forest Heath Tel: 01638 608080
- Lavenham Tel: 01787 247300
- Suffolk Coastal Tel:01728 830516
- Waveney Tel: 01502 531631
WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS
Door to door rural transport for those without a car and unable to use public transport. Cars are driven by volunteers and can carry 3 or 5 passengers plus a passenger travelling in a wheelchair. Contact details are shown below.
- Mid-Suffolk (North), St Edmundsbury (North), Suffolk Coastal Tel: 08456 012291
- Hadleigh Tel: 01473 828202
- Haverhill Tel: 01440 712028
- Mid-Suffolk (South) Tel: 01449 614271
- Sudbury Tel: 01787 242116
- Waveney Tel: 01502 589782
CONCESSIONARY FARES
The Suffolk Saver Scheme provides free bus travel for elderly, disabled people & blind or partially sighted people. Passes can be obtained (free of charge) from District or Borough Council offices.
There is a new voucher scheme for mobility impaired people for use on community transport services (not Forest Heath or Waveney) - details available from District or Borough Council offices.
Driving Lessons
Specially adapted cars are available. Check with local driving schools or Mobilise, Ashwellthorpe, Norwich, Norfolk, NRl6 1EX. Tel: 01508 489449
Mobility Advice & Vehicle Information Service (MAVIS)
If you have doubts about your ability to drive, seek an initial assessment which will consider your disability and/or any adaptations you might need, contact MAVIS to find your nearest assessment centre. Tel: 0800 559 3636
Website: www.dft.gov.uk/access/mavis
Kilverstone Mobility Assessment Centre
Provides a service to help disabled people keep mobile & independent. Help includes: assessment of fitness to drive, advice on car adaptations, "fitness to drive" tests for over 70's, assessment & advice on outdoor powered scooters & wheelchairs, free information service. 2 Napier Place, Thetford, IP24 3RL. Tel: 01842 753029
Email: carls@kmacmobil.org.uk Website: www.kmacmobil.org.uk
Driving Licences
The application form and explanatory leaflet are available from the Post Office.
Take care answering the health section, or seek advice.Drving Tests
Extra time is allowed in the practical driving examination for drivers with disabilities to allow time for asking questions relating to your specific disability. You can obtain more information from The Driving Standards Agency, Stanley House, 56 Talbot Street, Nottingham NG1 5GU, Telephone 0115 9012500
Website: www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople
ESCORT SERVICES
If a special journey arises where you need an escort because of your disability, the British Red Cross, St John Ambulance or the WRVS may be able to help.
MOBILISE
An organisation providing free & comprehensive information on motoring & mobility issues including driving instructors, car adaptations & mobility assessment centres.
Unit 2, Wintersells Road, Byfleet, KT14 7LT. Tel: 0800 240 241 Textphone: 0800 1693049
Email: enquiries@mobilise.info Website: www.mobilise.info
MOTABILITY
This is a charity which helps people with disabilities to purchase or lease a new or second-hand car or powered wheelchair. It is only available to people receiving the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance for a minimum of one year or to people receiving War Pensions Mobility Supplement. There are some funds available to help in cases of hardship with vehicle purchase, adaptations or driving lessons.
City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 9HB Tel: 0845 456 4566 Website: www.motability.co.uk
OUTDOOR POWERED WHEELCHAIRS AND SCOOTERS
Before purchasing one, seek advice. Centres for Independent Living can help. A booklet "How to Choose a Powered Vehicle" on request is available from the Kilverstone Mobility Assessment Centre. Tel: 01842 753029
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Advice provided on planning a journey in the UK using public transport services.
Tel: 0871 200 2233. Website: www.traveline.org.uk
SHOPMOBILITY
Electrically powered pavement vehicles and manual wheelchairs are available in certain towns across East Anglia for use within town centres. There may be a small charge.
- Bury St Edmunds Tel & Fax: 01284 757175
- Ipswich Tel: 01473 222225
- Lowestoft Tel: 01502 588857
- Newmarket Mobility Scheme Tel: 01638 664262
- Stowmarket Tel: 01449 616234
For free details of schemes elsewhere contact:
Shopmobility UK, PO Box 6641, Christchurch, BH23 9DQ Tel: 08456 442 446
Email: info@shopmobilityuk.org.uk Website: www.justmobility.co.uk/shop
TAXIS
Taxis are licensed by local borough/district councils. Enquire for operators that have wheelchair carrying vehicles.
TRAINS/RAILCARDS
Special arrangements can be made for wheelchair travellers by the train operating companies, but ideally two days notice is required. The Disabled Person's Railcard offers reduced fares. Ask at your nearest staffed station for a leaflet, alternatively, you can find information on the website: www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk
TRANSPORT FOR LONDON
To find out about accessible travel in London contact Transport for London.
Tel: 0207 222 1234 Textphone: 0207 918 3015
Email: travinfo@tfl.gov.uk Website: www.tfl.gov.uk
VEHICLE EXCISE DUTY
There are several exemptions from paying the road fund licence for vehicles owned and used by people with disabilities. Check with the Department of Work and Pensions, or local Disablility Advice Service to see if you qualify. Full details are available on the DVLA website at: www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople
WHEELCHAIR LOANS
It is possible to borrow manual wheelchairs on short-term loan from various voluntary groups. There may be a small charge for this service. Contact your local Disability Advice Service.