have a say in disabled parking accreditaion

Disabled  Motoring UK (DMUK) are conducting a survey into disabled parking and Disabled Parking Accreditation.

No personal information is asked for and you can find the survey here bit.ly/2cIeKRF

Disabled Parking Accreditation applies to car parks that meet certain criteria in size of parking bays and active management of the car park to reduce things like abuse of disabled parking bays and other similar aspects of parking.

Call for submissions disability and the built environment

The Women and Equalities Select Committee chaired by Maria Miller recently launched a disability and the built environment enquiry. Select committees have quite a say in Government legislation and can and do hold Government ministers to account.

They are seeking submissions from interested organisations and people.

One area that is relevant to everyone is the degree of local involvement in decision making.

If this is of interest and you would like guidance on making a 'submission' the Select Committe's web site is here bit.ly/2d0rbYH

Tips on passwords from Future Learn

Before discussing password tips, I'd like to give a wholehearted recommendation to Future Learn.

They provide a wide range of well presented short courses from recognised universities. Have a look and I'm sure you'll find something of interest.

This is a link to the Future Learn blog post about creating memorable but difficult to crack passwords bit.ly/2d2t0pn. They also have a course covering several key aspects of security

Part of their advice is to use a sentence to help you remember a password.

For example: 'good advice - worth noting' might become the password goad-wono.

An early form of encryption, used by spies and agents all over the world, was to use a book or poem. Numbers would refer to the page, line and number of words into the line. So for example using the book Under a Blood Red Sky by Kate Furnival the code 25992 would be the word 'sometimes'. The only way you could break this code is if you knew and had a copy of the book.

You can simplify and use this encryption code to help remember passwords.

So from the same book, Thenightmareclose would be encoded as 11 41 71

What do you think about Transport for London 'offer me a seat badge'?

In 2005 Transport for London TfL introduced the Baby on Board badge that helps pregnant women get seats on public transport in London during busy periods.

This scheme has been a success.

TfL provide a range of free advice to passengers such as how to travel with a buggy, travel alerts on your phone under the banner every journey matters.



Most transport users are polite and will happily give up a seat to someone who is elderly or clearly disabled. But there are a lot of people who suffer with what are known as hidden illnesses. People with conditions such as dementia, arthritis, crohns disease, chronic pain, dizziness and more can experience real problems when using public transport.

TfL are taking the success of the 'baby on board' badge scheme to see if it will help disabled people.

As from September 12th 1000 volunteers will try out a new 'blue badge' asking if people would offer them a seat. one reason for the use of a badge stemmed from a cancer sufferer who was not able to speak and so couldn't ask for a seat. And the scheme may avoid possible unpleasantness on the bus, train or tube.

This is the badge, what do you think?

using your mobility scooter on Bournemouth buses

here's a really good and comprehensive guide to using mobility scooters on local bus services from RICA (Research Institute for Consumer Affairs) bit.ly/2bRSiGN

A quick summary:

• You have to apply for a permit
• They must be class 2 scooters
• Both bus companies in Bournemouth operate the permit scheme

Here's a series of useful guides from RICA that can be downloaded bit.ly/2bxcn19

Having a successful 'comfort break' when travelling

Disability Horizons contacted Robin Tuffley at clos-o-mat for tips and advice about comfort breaks when we are out and about.

The very readable and useful article is here bit.ly/2bcb3WG

look out for this sign...

here's a link showing the pubic toilets that have extra room in Bournemouth, although it doesn't include those at Castlepoint... bit.ly/2bB8QRn you can also use this link to plan breaks when travelling in the UK.

Your ‘community car scheme’ helps people get out and about, stay active and remain part of the community

There are lots of people who don’t drive and find it difficult to use public transport.  

People with age related or other mobility problems, disabilities or has been advised not to drive can use the scheme if they find it difficult to use public transport.  

They might...

• ·         live too far from a bus stop
• ·         are unsteady on their feet,
• ·         travel in a wheelchair
• ·         have breathing difficulties or
• ·         memory problems which limits their mobility.

Taking the bus is not an easy option and they rely on lifts from others or a taxi to get around. A fair number of enquiries come from relatives who live away and are concerned that their parent/relative is becoming isolated and socially excluded because of a lack of suitable or affordable transport.

We have a group of volunteer drivers who help people in the community get to essential healthcare appointments and access social and leisure facilities. Unfortunately hospital appointments are not included but we are able to take members to visit friends or relatives in hospital.  

Members phone for a car, giving as much notice as possible and our volunteer led team will try to find someone who lives near to them and is able to help.

Drivers are subject to a police check and risk assessed before they start driving for us and issued with an I.D badge. Most are retired and like the flexibility of helping people in a way that fits around their lifestyle. Anyone can apply to drive as a volunteer if they have their own car, live in the area and agree to a police check.  The driver is reimbursed at £0.45p per mile which covers expenses.

Our members really appreciate the help and we usually find that they ask for the same driver again.

 The driver will pick them up at an agreed time, wait with them for a GP or dentist appointment and take them home again. The driver will not usually wait more than 30 minutes but will return later to take them home again.  Drivers do not provide any care assistance as this is not within the remit of the transport scheme.

Most of our drivers live in the Bournemouth area. We can provide details of schemes outside of this area.

Mileage is charged at £0.60p per mile and starts and ends at the driver’s home with a minimum charge of £5.00.

If the member needs to travel in a wheelchair, our wheelchair accessible car can be booked with or without a driver.

Charges for this vehicle are £1.00 per mile for a one off journey with a driver or we can provide a quote for a full day without a driver based on expected mileage. This car is part of the SEDCAT fleet so is charged on a cost recovery basis only making it considerably cheaper than a wheelchair taxi. Also the car is booked in advance alleviating the anxiety of not knowing whether a suitable vehicle will be available.

 People who use the scheme join as members and pay £10.00 per year for membership which also allows them to use the accessible bus to go shopping and enjoy regular outings.

If you want to use of the community care scheme,

might be interested in working with us as a driver

or just want more information see

www.sedcat.org.uk, email info@sedcat.org.uk or call 01202 598295