Disabled | Disabled People

Rough Guide To Accessible Britain (2nd Edition)

Jun 282010

I am republishing this article because it covers the most recent version of the book that I have. There is a new version available here. I’ll post an update when I receive my copy!

Updated for 2009

This is the Second Edition of the Rough Guide To Accessible Britain. The first was published in 2008.

There are several striking differences between the two editions. The first is size, the new book being a much more regular A5 and having many more pages (192).

The second is colour. The first book was colour throughout. The second has a coloured introduction and the rest is black and white. This is not a criticism though, the book is well presented and FREE!

New Layout

Probably the biggest difference is the way the book has been split into sections. The first edition

concentrated on the type of activity (Family Fun, Parks and Gardens etc), this time the sections are ordered by Region. Obviously there are pro’s and con’s to both but now it’s certainly easier to find attractions according to where you are in the country.

The Cities and Towns section has disappeared completely. I suppose the section was always a bit of a gamble. There is no way you can describe how accessible Edinburgh is in just 2 paragraphs. A valiant effort was made but it didn’t really work!

What’s New

The emphasis is on attractions with a common style throughout the book. Each attraction gets three paragraphs. The first indicates a geographical location with a fact about the area. The second is more specific giving information about the attraction it’s self and the third comments on disabled access.

Above each entry is a row of symbols giving specific information about on site facilities. This includes whether a wheelchair user will need assistance, is there a hearing loop, are the toilets accessible etc. The key can be found inside the front cover and is easy to use.

There is a good selection of new attractions in this second edition and these are joined by updated versions of reviews from the first. As before, the articles are short but informative and easy to read. As a Rough Guide it is perfect although there may be more specific questions that are not answered.

Worth The Money?

It’s free!! So Yes!!

As with the first edition, the second is free to Blue Badge holders. If you are not a Blue Badge holder, the guide price is £6.99. I’m not sure I would pay the cover price but for free it is a very well presented, good quality guide.

Check out http://www.accessibleguide.co.uk for your copy.

Disabled people offered free guide to accessible Britain (independent.co.uk)
Disabled travel: Britain’s most accessible attractions win awards (telegraph.co.uk)
Travelling with a disability hasn’t got any easier (telegraph.co.uk)

Blue Badge - Parking Concessions

Essentials No Responses »

Dec 202009

Blue Badge Scheme

This is the second article about the Blue Badge Parking Scheme for Disabled People. The first article dealt with the process of applying for a Parking Card and can be found here:

http://disabledpeople.org/essentials/can-i-get-a-blue-badge/

In this article, we will look more at the ways the card can be used.

How To Display Your Badge

No matter where you live in the United Kingdom, the design of the Disabled Persons Parking Card is the same (except the Welsh version has some Welsh language on it).

The Front of the card has:

The Blue “Wheelchair” Symbol
The UK “EU” Symbol
Card Expiry Date
Name of Issuing Body
Serial Number of the card

The Back of the card has:

The Card Holder’s Personal Details
Forename
Surname
Signature
Photograph

It is very important that the card can be clearly seen through the windscreen of the vehicle, FRONT side up. If you can see your Photo, it’s the WRONG way up.

There are loads of reports all the time of Jobs-worth people getting stroppy about this and refusing to drop fines because of an honest mistake. Don’t take the chance, get it right!

In ENGLAND and WALES, you MAY need a time clock to go with your badge. These are not necessary in Scotland but if you are a Scot travelling South, make sure you have one with you.

Parking Concessions

The Blue Badge Scheme in the UK allows holders a series of parking concessions relating to On Street Parking. This means that a holder can park without paying and for as long as they need where spaces are controlled by parking meters or on street pay and display. This is providing there aren’t any local regulations in place. This applies to Scotland, England and Wales.

: Image by gregwake via Flickr

Badge Holders can also park on single and double yellow lines provided there are no loading restrictions and they are not causing an obstruction. Here though the rules differ depending on where you are. In ENGLAND and WALES you are limited to three hours but in SCOTLAND there is no time limit. In LONDON there are areas where the Blue Badge is not valid at all.

Red lines generally mean that vehicles are not allowed to stop. A Blue Badge holder can stop to load but is not allowed to park.

The final concession for On-Street parking refers to time limits. There are a lot of regional and local variations here but in the main, you should be able to ignore any time restrictions placed on free, on street parking spaces.

Off Street Parking

At the moment there Blue Badge does not automatically entitle the holder to any off street concessions. That said, there are many example of both local authorities and private companies using the Blue Badge Scheme to give concessions to their customers. Restrictions and concessions vary, so notice should be taken of any signs.

It is also worth noting that there are rules in place that stop vehicles displaying Blue Badges from being towed or clamped.

Other Concessions

As well as parking concessions, the Blue Badge can also entitle the holder to a series of other concessions. This includes bridge tolls and ferry fares. Sometimes these concessions need a bit of forward planning like the exemption from the central London congestion charge. These need to be applied for in advance.

Comment

If you qualify for a badge you should be sent a booklet with your badge outlining it’s use. This is easy to read and tells you all you need to know. It’s fairly easy to get the hang of the restrictions and concessions in your home area but it’s always worth a check if you’re travelling a little further from home, especially if you are travelling into central London or crossing the England/Scotland border.

Remember that the card is for the use of the card holder only. A traffic warden has the right to inspect the card at any time and it can be taken away if you aren’t using it correctly.

Links

VAT Relief for Disabled People

Essentials No Responses »

Nov 142009

Zero Rate VAT

In very simple terms, if you are disabled or chronically sick, you do not have to pay VAT on anything you buy that is specifically designed to help you with you disability or anything that is adapted so that you can use it. This also includes services you pay for to help with your disability and could include things like building work to adapt your home.

For this level of VAT relief you need to have either a long term, physical or mental condition that severely effects your ability to carry out everyday activities, a chronic sickness or be terminally ill.

Cars and Motor Vehicles

Image by jam_90s via Flickr

It is also possible to buy a car or other motor vehicle at Zero Rate VAT. In this case though, the rules are more strict.

To be eligible, you have use a stretcher or need a wheelchair to be mobile. Please note that, at the moment, this does not include people who use an invalid buggy or scooter. However, someone who has a degenerative condition and doesn’t use a wheelchair all the time may still qualify.

In addition to the above, the vehicle being bought must have a ‘substantial and permanent adaptation’. This is where the rules get a little sketchy because an adaptation might be substantial to one person who could not use the vehicle without it but inconsequential to someone else. However, I have found dealers are very accommodating and understanding.

Interestingly, if you by a vehicle free of VAT, the future maintenance of the vehicle is also free of VAT.

If you are looking for a new car, you should also consider the Motability Scheme.

Further Reference

Obviously I have only scratched the service. For further reading, please try these websites:

Where Did You Get Help?

If you have bought products, services or vehicles VAT free, what was your experience? Where did you get advice? Is there a website that explained it all clearly? Tell us in the comments!

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