There are lots of different innovations that have been designed in order to help individuals with physical disabilities have a much more comfortable life. One of these is the Motability vehicle. There are many different types of Motability vehicles available at present to try and help individuals take more control of their ability to get to different places. This ranges from those that have been designed to take passengers who are in wheelchairs to cars that have been constructed in order to allow people with certain disabilities to drive. So, how do you choose the right Motability car?
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Steps to take first
If you are looking to drive a Motability vehicle it is imperative that you have a driving license which is up-to-date. If you are yet to inform the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) about your disability you need to make sure you do so. They must be aware of any type of condition that can impact your ability to drive. This does not mean you won’t be able to drive at all of course. There are many instances whereby adapted controls and changes like this are all that is required, which is where your Motability car comes into play.
Financial aid available to you
The next thing you need to do is look for financial aid via the UK Motability scheme. What is available to you all depends on your disability and other personal factors. There are many different opportunities at your disposal. These schemes will present that with the chance to use grants and subsidies in order to purchase or lease a car which is suited to your physical condition. You will typically need to have one of the following in order to benefit from the Motability scheme; war pensioners’ mobility supplement, armed forces independence payment, PIP (personal independence payment) enhanced mobility component and/or DLA (disability living allowance) high rate mobility component. If you are applicable, you can benefit from the likes of a new or used car on hire purchase from between two to five years or even a brand new car on a three-year contract hire lease. There are also nearly new vehicles too, like nearly new Vauxhall cars and Ford cars that have been adapted to help those with disabilities, so you have plenty of options available.
Choosing the right Motability car for you
Once you have done this, you will then be in the position to select the right Motability vehicle for you. There are so many different factors that come into play. Make sure you read reviews that have been left by others who have used the vehicle. This is the best way to get an honest assessment of what it is actually like and whether it is worth acquiring. In addition to this, you also need to think about how you are going to get in and out of the vehicle and how many passengers are likely to travel inside. Furthermore, don’t forget to think about your typical surroundings either, such as what the parking is like at your home. This will impact aspects such as vehicle access.
The important thing to recognise from this blog post is that there is a wealth of opportunities for those who are physically disabled when it comes to Motability vehicles and, therefore, it is worth investigating whether there is something for you.
