Motability-Freedom to Travel (Motability)

Member Name: Collywobs

Product:	Motability
Date:	01/12/00 (2638 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: freedom, independance, improved quality of life

Disadvantages: grants can take a long time

Motability is a registered charity, it was set up around 1978 with the aim to help people with mobility problems have a better quality of life, by way of supplying wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and cars for anyone who is eligible. To qualify for the motability scheme you must be receiving the higher rate of disability living allowance or WPMS benefit.
In return for your benefit you will have a choice of either-
Leasing a new car for 3 years at a time
Buy a new car over 4-5 years
Buy a used car over 4 years
Buy a powered wheelchair
Buy a wheelchair
A general explanation of this would be, you sign up with a motability dealer and choose the car you would like, some cars require you to pay a deposit which is non returnable and the full rate or part rate of allowance is used as payment for the car/vehicle.
If you opt for the lease you will be able to pick a brand new car and replace it every 3 years with another brand new car.
Also included is your insurance for 3 years and insurance for another nominated driver. All services are included as well as full breakdown recovery.
Depending on the size and type of car/vehicle you like will determine the cost of any deposits. Most vehicles can be leased without deposits. Each dealer varies and it pays to look around at other dealers. A word of advice, if a sales assistant tries to give you a sales patter for a bigger car or bigger engine, the chances are a big deposit will be likely. Don't be afraid to ask.
If you need to adapt a vehicle to suit your disability you may apply for a grant from motability to help pay for the adaptions, apply early as they have a lot of requests.

The basic information and everything you need to know about motability can be found on the new motability web site at
http://www.motability.co.uk
Here is what you will be likely to find out at the web site-
WHAT IS MOTABILITY
Introduction
Eligibility
Grants

Scheme partners
Accredited suppliers

ABOUT THE SCHEME
Introduction
Vehicle schemes
Price guides
Financial help

HELP NOW
Introduction
How can you help
How can your company help
How can my trust help
Site map

NEWS & VIEWS
Press releases
Press office
Exhibitions
Lifestyle
Bulletin board

Motability also has a monthly magazine which includes lots of various information relating to the motability and disabled person. It gives you information on the latest events and has regular special offers only available to disabled people.

I don't particularly like to end an opinion this way but I think this is something that needs to be said.
I am in contact with a few people who use the motability scheme, quite often they are accused of robbing the state because they don't *LOOK* disabled. A lot of people are under the impression that if you are disabled you get a free car, this is NOT so. First if you are unfortunate enough to be struck down by a disability or an illness which make you disabled then you have no choice but to apply to the government for benefits, how else could you live? Secondly if you get awarded the highest rate of disability, which is hard to get awarded unless you have serious motability problems, to get a car you have to pay for this out of your benefit totalling to around £140.00 a month.
Living as a disabled person makes you vulnerable as a mojority of people will only *LOOK* for a disability and if they cannot *SEE* a disability, they presume you are not disabled and should not be entitled to motability.
People are not disabled by choice and do not wish to be this way, having a car through the motability scheme gives freedom to disabled people everywhere. Do you think it would be better for them to stay indoors just because they are disabled. NO, I don't think anyone would, because it can happen to
anyone and I am proof of that.
Life goes on and quality of life is important, not just to the disabled person but to everyone.
Motability is a registered charity and is always looking for volunteers to help raise funds. Deatails are available on the web site.

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