Mature Times - News

Disabled commuters to be hit by new rush-hour train fare hikes

Fri, 23 May 2008 16:45:28 +0100

CrossCountry, which took over the rail franchise for services between Aberdeen and Penzance and between Stansted and Cardiff from Virgin Trains last year, has brought in a new charging system that means that holders of disabled railcards will be unable to purchase saver tickets with their railcards before 9.30am.

Disabled Living Foundation launches a free telephone advice service for older people in London

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:15:38 +0000

The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF), a charity that provides impartial advice about equipment for older and disabled people, has launched a new, free service for people aged 60 or over who live or work in London.

Stunning new fashion range for wheelchair users

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 10:29:03 +0100

An exciting new range of clothing has been launched specifically to cater for the needs of wheelchair users. A far cry from the elasticated trousers and fleeces so often offered as clothing for the mobility impaired, the collection is full of rich colour, and designs range from sharp tailored work suits, to fluid, feminine dresses in soft shades and sensuous fabrics.

Sun-powered mobility scooter on its way

Tue, 08 May 2007 13:07:04 +0100

Solar powered mobility scooters could soon be on the streets thanks to the work of Matt Alvey, a young student at The University of Nottingham.

Mobility scooters on daily loans in Kensington & Chelsea

Wed, 02 May 2007 09:45:07 +0100

"Out and About" - a special Council service set up to allow people with mobility issues to retain their independence - provides mobility scooters on daily loans at different locations throughout the week within Kensington & Chelsea.

Town crier rings in Redditch Shopmobility’s 20th birthday

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 11:15:29 +0000

Scooter and wheelchair users defied the weather crisis to attend a civic gathering organised to celebrate 20 years of Redditch Shopmobility, one of the first of its type to be launched in the UK.

Town crier Kevin Ward headed a parade of scooters, powerchairs and wheelchairs which gathered in the town’s showpiece Kingfisher Shopping Centre before moving on to the Civic Suite at the Town Hall.

New information website for disabled travellers

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 10:55:30 +0000

The Disability Discrimination Act in December 2006 made improvements to the transport system for disabled people, and now a new and much needed information resource, aimed at the disabled and less mobile, has been launched that details suitable transport in and around Bristol.

Get back on the road with Motability DVD

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 14:30:09 +0000

Actress and disability rights campaigner Julie Fernandez is fronting a new DVD to help raise awareness about the Motability Scheme.

It will act as a valuable source of information for health professionals, advisory groups, social services and other charities and organisations - as well as for disabled people and their families.

Scooters on parade

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 13:13:08 +0000

Redditch Shopmobility, one of the first of its type in the UK, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special event on Thursday February 8th 2007.

Council Tax increases but services threatened

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 14:37:17 +0000

New figures from The Local Government Association (LGA) show an average increase of 3.5 per cent in Council Tax for the year 2007/2008 - less than expected. But as a result, many councils now warn that up to 370,000 older people could pay the price in reduced services.

Move to make disabled grants more accessible

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 16:20:31 +0000

Proposals to widen the scope and improve the delivery of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) programme by making the application process more flexible, easier and quicker are being consulted on.

Smart home unveiled

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 12:26:19 +0000

A state-of-the-art equipment and technology designed to enable older and disabled people to live safely and independently in their own homes has been unveiled in London.

Stagecoach comes up trumps for disabled travellers

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:28:02 +0000

While Arriva Buses have been telling disabled traveller Marshall Vine that his fold up mobility scooter is no longer welcome on their buses, another major bus company - Stagecoach - have been telling Mature Times a very different story.

New rights for disabled people on public transport

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 14:17:29 +0000

A major loophole in the law was plugged on Monday 4 December. Now, for the first time, disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the right to be treated fairly on public transport. The new duties, which extend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA), mean that disabled people have the right to be treated fairly and the right to reasonable adjustments on buses, coaches, trains and taxis.

Disabled? Get a break with Vitalise

Fri, 24 Nov 2006 17:45:01 +0000

National disability charity Vitalise has launched a new programme of breaks for disabled people and carers. The accessible Centres, which are based in Cornwall, Essex, Nottingham, Southampton and Southport, are open from February to December, providing an extensive range of short breaks for disabled people in a holiday setting.