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

Are you able to take advantage of the £16 return train fare to London

Can you take advantage of the £16 

offer for a day return to London?

South West Trains are running a £16 return ticket to London offer until September. A great opportunity for a trip to London.

But it's a bit daunting when you get there with all the hustle and bustle. Everyone knows where they are going and they all seem super confident, except you.

It's quite easy these days to prepare in advance to travel in busy cities, even abroad where there are language problems.

In London for example Transport for London (TFL) provide lots of information on their web page goo.gl/JwnzYU.

If you have a journey coming up and you're not sure how to use the internet to plan travel in advance call Sedcat and we'll fix a time to show you.

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Have a say about the bus cuts in Dorset

Here's a link to the Dorset County Council page about the forthcoming bus cuts.
You can have a say in this by filling in a questionnaire  goo.gl/Igr80m

NHS Guide to social care

picture is from the NHS site below

Here's a link to the excellent  NHS Guide to Social Care.

It's comprehensive, easy to use and understand.

Could the average Joe manage a day in a wheelchair?

Raquel Siganporia

Raquel Siganporia is a solicitor specialising in helping people with spinal injuries.

She challenged some of her colleagues to spend a day in a wheel chair.

Read what happened here at Disability Horizons... bit.ly/1YfUuYG

What is the hospital transport provision in Dorset like

Getting to and from hospital in Dorset.

Patients are expected to make their own way to and from hospital. Hospital transport might be through family members, friends or community transport schemes if available.

NHS patient transport in Dorset is provided for medical reasons only

• Registered Blind or have serious visual impairment
•  Not independently mobile
• Need special patient transport facilities
• Need specialist skills from ambulance staff

All requests will be assessed on needs and eligibility

Patients on low income might be able to get help from the HTCS scheme

If you are a patient and think you qualify for patient transport call the Dorset Patient Transport Bureau on 0300 777 5555 or visit www.dorsetptb.co.uk

This information is taken from the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group advice to patients.

Can Sedcat provide hospital transport?

Sedcat isn't able to provide hospital patient transport at the moment. There is a demand in this area and Sedcat are aware of the difficulty people are experiencing.

info@sedcat.org.uk             01202 598295

What is section 19 and section 22 not for profit transport?

Notes are taken from the DVSA and Traffic Commissioners guidelines and do not form legal advice.

Permits issued under Section 19 and 22 of the Road Traffic Act 1985 allows a ‘not for profit’ organisation to operate a bus service with the need for a full PSV operator’s licence.

Sedcat operates under these regulations.

Safety

·         Strict rules apply to the safety of vehicles and drivers

·         Drivers, including volunteer drivers must receive training

·         Vehicles must be fully insured

·         Must operate within the permit and be ‘not for profit’.

A separate permit is granted for each vehicle and it must be displayed.

Community bus permits

These can be used to provide transport to ‘isolated areas’ that are not served by other transport providers. Must be not for profit and provide social or welfare benefits to one or more communities and must fit with the Charity’s aims and objectives.

The buses must carry nine or more passengers.

The Traffic Commissioners must be satisfies that the operating organisation has facilities for maintenance of the vehicles and can comply with the regulations.

Driver’s must have category D1 on their licence obtained prior to 1997 to drive a community bus

Sedcat     www.sedcat.org.uk     info@sedcat.org.uk     01202 598295

Sedcat to replace Damory 88 bus on Saturdays

Sedcat community bus replaces 88 Wimborne service on Saturdays

The number 88 Saturday bus around Wimborne has been withdrawn. (current Damory route)

There have been articles and letter to the press about mainly elderly people who have been stranded because no bus service runs on a Saturday. One resident has been appealing to the Council to reinstate the bus as she feels isolated and can’t enjoy leisure activities that take place on Saturday.

Councils are under immense pressure to cut services and transport is right in the front line of service cuts.

Sedcat is a community transport provider covering Bournemouth and East Dorset.

·         Door to door minibuses

·         Volunteer drivers

·         Shopmobility at Castlepoint

Transport services are vital in rural areas. It puts pressure on older people to move into town for example.

Sedcat is looking to operate a local bus under what is known as a section 19 service. A not for profit transport solution.

Initially the service will operate for six months and as a charity we will be fundraising to keep costs and fares to a minimum.

The route will follow that of the withdrawn Damory 88 bus. People with disabilities or who live in isolated areas with no transport can pre-book a pick up outside of the route.

Who will benefit?

·         Young people with Saturday jobs

·         Anyone who wants to use Saturday leisure

·         Elderly or disabled people wanting to get into town on a Saturday

Get in more info

Or express interest...

01202 598295

info@sedcat.org.uk

www.sedcat.org.uk