Getting About

Getting Out and About

Living with dementia can bring a variety of challenges when it comes to getting out and about. This page deals with practical issues such as driving, community transport services, mobility, and disabled parking and toilets. However, if the challenge you face is actually having the chance to go out, please see our Getting a Break section.

Transport to Day Services

Local Authorities have a duty (under Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970), to provide social services transport for adults to day services.

Requests for individual transport arrangements must in the first instance be made to a Social & Community Services Care Manager or Social Worker who will assess the need and make a request for the service to be provided.

Driving

Being given a diagnosis of dementia does not automatically exclude you from driving, however there is a legal obligation to inform the DVLA of the diagnosis. The car insurance company must also be informed immediately.

Our Driving and Dementia page has more detailed information.

Blue Badge Scheme

This is managed by local authority departments. A disabled person can apply for a badge so that you can park in the special disabled parking spaces. Disabled people displaying the Blue Badge (used to be orange badge) may park for free in any of the on-street parking spaces, but standard charges will apply in the off-street car parks.

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Disabled Facilities at Railway Stations

Passengers with disabilities are advised to pre-arrange their journey to ensure that the passenger support is available to them. To enquire about accessibility and pre-arrange your journey call the National Rail Enquiries on the number below.

Public Transport Concessions

Bus Passes

The council offers free half-fare bus passes to people over 60 years of age, the disabled, and necessary travel companions for the disabled.

Travel Tokens

The council offers a travel token scheme as an alternative to the bus pass. The value of the travel tokens will be £20.00 per person per year. National Transport Tokens will be used from 1st April 2003 and have a value of 50p or £1 each and may be used on local journeys by bus, train, taxi or on voluntary schemes. (Not all taxi firms are included, ring first to verify.)

Although they all require proof of your registration as disabled or blind and of residence, each local council scheme may differ in its provision. You will need a letter from your GP with your address stating your visual impairment or nature of your disability, your Attendance Allowance or DLA book, your registration card, or your blue-parking badge.

National Organisations

The Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information Service

This service has now closed. For information, advice or an assessment please contact the Forum of Mobility Centres.  Either call the Forum National Enquiry Line on 0800 559 3636 or click on the link to their website www.mobility-centres.org.uk

The Disabled Drivers Association

Information and problem solving service, including advice on equipment, law, benefits, driving assessment, vehicle and adaptation choices. Quarterly publication for members, detailing campaigns, concessions and activities.

Door to Door: a travel guide for disabled people

Door to Door has been developed to give disabled people information about transport and advice about travelling using all forms of transport.

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