Motability Foundation

The National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) has launched its Resource Collection, a comprehensive database of evidence on accessible transport for policy-makers and transport sector professionals. 📚 The database features 626 projects such as research, strategies, and policy-related documents and includes a range of research commissioned by the Motability Foundation. The Resource Collection aims to help professionals easily access resources to help make informed, evidence based decisions. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4gFABpX #AccessibleTransport #Disability

It's that time again! The Christmas Special of our Lifestyle Pod is here 🎄 In this special episode, hear from hosts @samantharenke and @sophie-marie-odum-01102849, catch up with Great British Bake Off star Tasha Stones and Digby, her hearing dog. They discuss how baking became Tasha's therapy in her teenage years and her experience of being on the Channel 4 show. Listen and watch in your preferred format here: https://bit.ly/3BH8ibR #Podcast #Disability #AccessibleTransport #MotabilityFoundation #LifestylePod

🎉 We're delighted to have awarded Community Rail Network a Travelling with Confidence grant totalling £591,659. Beginning in 2025, this funding will create a new programme which aims to build on the travel awareness, skills and confidence of disabled people when accessing local rail services. Community Rail Network will engage with 1,500 disabled people in partnership with Community Rail Lancashire, Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership, Severnside Community Rail Partnership and Southeast Communities Rail Partnership CIC. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3DjsfpJ #AccessibleTransport #Disability #Grants #TravellingwithConfidence

Today the UK National Audit Office has published a new report on progress with the rollout of public chargepoints for EVs. The Motability Foundation provided evidence for this report on the current accessibility of public charging. Rachael Badger, Director of Performance and Innovation said: “We are pleased to see that this excellent report from the National Audit Office recognises the real risk that the accessibility needs of disabled motorists will remain unaddressed unless further action is taken. The BSI PAS 1899 standard, which we co-sponsored alongside UK Government, provides a clear specification on the minimum requirements to improve public chargepoint accessibility. Since it was published in October 2022 we’ve been doing everything we can to promote uptake of the minimum requirements amongst chargepoint manufacturers, operators, designers, procurers and local authorities. "It has been our position for some time that the PAS 1899 standard should be made mandatory by law, and we have been advocating for this both publicly and with MPs, but ultimately it is a decision for Government to take forward. We also believe that providers of public charging should also be taking responsibility for ensuring their infrastructure is accessible, so that disabled people are not left behind in the transition to electric. Making chargepoints accessible can also benefit everyone, especially older people and those with young children. "We will continue to do everything we can within our remit to improve public chargepoint accessibility, including working closely with DfT and providers of public charging to support their efforts.” Read more on our response to the publication of the National Audit Office report here: https://bit.ly/49S5UMp

🎙️ ncat has launched their new 'Transport Barriers Database' - an innovative open-source dashboard designed to inform industry professionals and policymakers of the transport challenges disabled people face in the UK. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4f2K1uL #AccessibleTransport #Disability

🙌 Meet Moosa, a Motability Foundation grant recipient who has been a long-term Motability Scheme customer. At eight months old, Moosa contracted poliomyelitis and has lived with limited mobility throughout his life. In recognition of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Moosa reflects on how public attitudes and accessibility have changed over the years. “What’s great to see, is all these athletes raising the profile of disabled people in sport,” says Moosa. “Not just one type of disability – a vast range. Paralympians being celebrated for achieving extraordinary things. There is much more awareness of disabled people in the public eye today.” But it is not just Paralympians who have made an impression on him recently. "Sophie Morgan [a documentary maker and wheelchair user] speaks up about her airline trips,” says Moosa. “It is good that she can highlight these issues. Two months ago, I flew to Saudi and got put in the middle of the plane, in a middle seat. Staff came up to me and said: ‘when you need to use the bathroom, tell us and we will help you’. But I thought, it’s pointless calling you because I can’t get off the seat. The plane hasn’t been designed that way.” This was the first time Moosa had flown with his powered wheelchair. And while he appreciated the freedom it afforded him, getting it there and back was not without problems. “I enjoyed the trip for what it was, but it has put me off flying again. There is a lot of extra planning involved in taking my powerchair and, at one point, I thought they were not going to let it on the flight because they didn’t understand the battery, but I managed to explain in the end. Having it there meant I could get about easier and do so much on my own, without my kids having to help. But I was amazed I got it back in one piece. At one point, we thought it was lost, but it been left on the runaway where luggage was taken off. It got a little bit damaged, but luckily not to the extent that I couldn’t drive it. Having a powered wheelchair has improved things greatly for me. The independence it has given me is life changing. Like, today, I went to the dentist on my own. I took [drove] myself there and didn’t need my wife to help. But there is still a long way to go. There needs to be more disabled people in planning and decision making if things are going to be fully accessible to all.” We are proud to support disabled people like Moosa and thank him for sharing his thoughts as we continue our journey to become a truly inclusive charity. #IDPD #IDPWD #AccessibleTransport

🎤 Our Innovation Manager Chelsea Fleming is on a virtual panel at CoMoUK's Shared Transport Conference later this week. The panel is called "Sustainable and inclusive version of the EV transition" and will discuss how we can ensure the EV transition is accessible to all. We hope to see you there on Wednesday at 1:30pm. Full event details at: https://bit.ly/3ZhE8DN

🎤 Our panel at the London EV Show is underway! We’re discussing how to ensure the EV transition is accessible to all. Thanks to Alec P. of Transport and Energy for hosting, alongside our fantastic panellists Claire Walters of Bus Users UK, Eveline Vouillemin of Energy Saving Trust, Matthew Adams of the REA and our very own Chelsea Fleming. #LondonEVshow

Community Transport Association are hosting their annual conference for the community transport sector, themed around ‘the voice of the passenger’. John Chesters, CEO at ECT Charity has spoken this morning about their innovative CT Social Value Toolkit 2.0, which is funded by the Motability Foundation: “It’s never been more important for CTs to demonstrate their worth. Too often, the amazing work done by CTs goes unheralded. At a time of ongoing pressures on the public purse, it’s essential that CTs demonstrate just how much Social Value they are creating – and what great value for money that is.” The pilot toolkit has already helped community transport organisations to communicate the difference they make in their community. This new revised version has new features like access to national data and focuses on the environmental and local economic impact. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/4fKxzRq #CommunityTransport #CT24

🚗 We’re on the road again! Today we are exhibiting at The Occupational Therapy Show at NEC Birmingham. If you’re attending, then visit our stand to say 'hello' and find out more about our charitable grants. #OTShow2024 #Events #MotabilityFoundation #HealthcareProfessionals