Accessible Transportation page One

Blue badges are changing.

From January next year (2012), you will have to use a new national application form to apply for a new blue badge or renew your old one.

Note from FIDN: You used to get reminding letters when your blue badge was about to need replacing but that is no longer the case. You now have to make sure yourself when your Blue Badge about to expire and apply for a replacement.

1. Current badges remain valid until their expiry dates so badge holders of “old style” badges should continue to use these until their expiry date and should be advised to apply for a new badge around 6 weeks before the expiry date, as they do at present.
New style badges will be issued from January.

Motability Chairman Announces Scheme Changes

A number of changes to the Scheme have been announced in a statement from Motability’s Chairman, Lord Sterling. Key changes include:

A streamlined selection of cars available, up to a maximum Advance Payment of £2,000 (this limit does not apply to wheelchair accessible vehicles)

Nominated drivers under 21 will only be permitted where they live with the disabled customer

All nominated drivers need to live within five miles of the customer’s home

The changes are designed to ensure that Motability provides clear policies, focused on the needs of the vast majority of customers. They will also help avoid misuse and misrepresentation of the Scheme.
The changes to car selection take place immediately, although Motability will honour all existing orders and commitments. Other changes will take effect from 1 January 2012.
There is no change for existing contracts, or nominated drivers named on current insurance certificates, for the remainder of existing leases.
Read full statement from Motability's Chairman, Lord Sterling

From the Motability`s web site

Ring & Ride is a service offering door to door travel, operating within a defined area, for those who find it difficult or impossible to use ordinary buses. This difficulty can be permanent or temporary, physical, mental or sensory. Travel in the Dunfermline area can be anytime between 8.00am and 10.00pm.

Accessible Transportation

	Added 16/12/2011 Blue badges are changing. From January next year (2012), you will have to use a new national application form to apply for a new blue badge or renew your old one. Forms are available from www.fifedirect.org.uk/bluebadge or www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/blue-badge-scheme or by calling 0845155 00 66. You can also apply online at www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/blue-badge-scheme Note from FIDN: You used to get reminding letters when your blue badge was about to need replacing but that is no longer the case. You now have to make sure yourself when your Blue Badge about to expire and apply for a replacement. 1. Current badges remain valid until their expiry dates so badge holders of “old style” badges should continue to use these until their expiry date and should be advised to apply for a new badge around 6 weeks before the expiry date, as they do at present. New style badges will be issued from January. For more "Click Here"
	Added 11/11/2011 Motability Chairman Announces Scheme Changes A number of changes to the Scheme have been announced in a statement from Motability’s Chairman, Lord Sterling. Key changes include: A streamlined selection of cars available, up to a maximum Advance Payment of £2,000 (this limit does not apply to wheelchair accessible vehicles) Nominated drivers under 21 will only be permitted where they live with the disabled customer All nominated drivers need to live within five miles of the customer’s home The changes are designed to ensure that Motability provides clear policies, focused on the needs of the vast majority of customers. They will also help avoid misuse and misrepresentation of the Scheme. The changes to car selection take place immediately, although Motability will honour all existing orders and commitments. Other changes will take effect from 1 January 2012. There is no change for existing contracts, or nominated drivers named on current insurance certificates, for the remainder of existing leases. Read full statement from Motability's Chairman, Lord Sterling From the Motability`s web site
	Fife Council’s Taxi Concession Scheme (update March 2011) I have reapplied for a Taxi Concession Scheme book of Taxi Travel Vouchers for 2011 - 2012. Along with it came some information which inclued a list of operators who have agreed voluntarily to participate in the Taxi Concession Scheme. I have copied the information from it onto a word document and a PDF document. To open the MS Word Document "Click Here" To open the PDF Document "Click Here" The button to the Left will take you the Fife Council’s Taxi Concession Scheme webpage or "Click Here"
	TAXI CENTRAL LTD - New text booking service available Safe reliable & secure Vehicle Make, Model & Registration texted to your phone when car on the way, also on arrival Track your taxi’s progress on your phone For free registration and details log on to www.taxicentral.co.uk/textbooker 01592 20 30 40
	Fife Council - Fines to be issued for `misusing` disabled bays Fife Council will be making all disabled persons' parking places in public roads and public car parks legally enforceable.
	The Association of Wheelchair Children. AWC grew out of a voluntary activities club for young wheelchair users. Over 20 years later we still provide practical training for young wheelchair–users: training designed to enable independence and to help ensure the young people are able to reach their full potential. The charity’s successes include Ade Adepitan MBE, the TV and wheelchair basketball star, who is now a patron of AWC. Future 2012 Paralympic hopefuls Tom Brown and Dan Lucker have also benefited from our unique skills training.
	Actions speak louder Last month the Baywatch survey
	Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009, Comes into force 1st October 2009 The Act will lead to all disabled street parking places becoming enforceable
	DISABILITY campaigners have called for there introduction of a Scotland-wide card to alert bus drivers to passengers needing extra help.
	What are the Parking restrictions within the pedestrian zone in operation within the High Street area in Dunfermline We have an article called `Parking Restrictions within the pedestrian zone in operation within the High Street area in Dunfermline` on our Accessible Transportation page. We have had word from the author of the article (Mr Scott Blyth) saying he has an update to it, so we have replaced the prevous article with the new one. "Access and one way restrictions are in place on Pilmuir Street from Queen Anne Street to High Street, Dunfermline High Street and Guildhall Street. No vehicle is permitted to access any of these roads at any time on any day unless they meet the requirements for the exceptions. Entry is only possible via Queen Ann Street into High Street, exiting either west or east along High Street or down Guildhall Street..... To view more and to view a plan which indicated the available parking for blue badge holders within Dunfermline, car parks with disabled bays and also an indication of the High Street restrictions along with the one way sections, this is a pdf document.
	The Highway Agency has launched a new Emergency Roadside Telephone
	Disabled Persons Railcard
	Essentially once the local authority moves a Traffic Regulation Order to cover all disabled parking bays, the Traffic Wardens will be able to find out where they are located. It is envisaged that enforcement will be proactive in town centres and public places, and reactive in residential areas.
	The below link will take you to the National Rail website on information for Disabled Passengers National Rail Website on Information fo Disabled Passengers
	Fight for access at station The 37 steps that may break disability law A BURNTISLAND man who relies on a mobility scooter is calling on railway bosses to sort out wheelchair access at the town's station.
	Bus help for hard of hearing A KIRKCALDY man has joined forces with bus giants Stagecoach to help hard of hearing travellers enjoy more pleasant journeys. Jack Carr, of Fife Independent Disability Network Disability Network (FIDN), spearheads a scheme which will allow sensory impaired bus users to ask drivers for help, without drawing attention to their disability.
	Minister for Transport Rosie Winterton has announced a raft of changes to the Blue Badge parking scheme in a bid to reduce fraud and extend the scheme to more people. From 15 October 2007
	We all know that driving on Britain’s busy roads can be a risky business. Because of this, you are a careful driver and don’t take unnecessary risks. You love your Motability car and the freedom it provides. But watch out! There is a new danger on our roads; dishonest people who will deliberately cause an accident to collect the insurance money.
	The price of mobility scooters could increase by as much as £250 as a result of EU changes to customs regulations
	How we can help We aim to offer a consistently high standard of service to our customers and ensure that as many people as possible are able to make use of our services. We hope this information will assist those with disabilities to use our services with confidence.
	Some Wheelchair Accessible Taxi's in Dunfermline A & S Taxis 2, Howe Ness, Rosyth, Dunfermline, Fife KY11 2DP Tel: 01383 729999 Wheelchair accessible take`s Taxicards Canmore Cabs 3, Afton Grove, Dunfermline, Fife KY11 4LE Tel: 01383 622266 Wheelchair accessible has applied for taxi-card
	Ring & Ride is a service offering door to door travel, operating within a defined area, for those who find it difficult or impossible to use ordinary buses. This difficulty can be permanent or temporary, physical, mental or sensory. Travel in the Dunfermline area can be anytime between 8.00am and 10.00pm.
	Bus Stop Codes in Fife November 2005 from Fife Council. These are here to help along with the txttraveline
	txt2traveline is a mobile phone texting service which allows you get bus times sent to you for any bus stop you choose. The service covers all bus companies and is a partnership between Fife Council and Traveline Scotland. You can get the bus times for ANY bus stop in Fife.
	Mobility scooters - what you need to know, from the DVLA Do I need to register my invalid carriage? Under the Use of Invalid Carriages on the Highways Regulations 1988 invalid carriages are separated into 3 categories.

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Fife Independent Disability Network, West Bridge Mill, Bridge Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, KY1 1TE Scottish Charity No: SC 026112

Blue badges are changing.

Motability Chairman Announces Scheme Changes

Fife Council’s Taxi Concession Scheme (update March 2011)

Fife Council - Fines to be issued for `misusing` disabled bays