Press Release (27 November 2006):
Shopping made "wheely" easy
The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) today issued a policy statement setting out for the benefit of local authorities the case for Shopmobility. Shopmobility schemes loan equipment such as manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and powered scooters out to anyone with limited mobility for use within a town centre or shopping mall.
Neil Betteridge, Chair of DPTAC said:
"he move to pedestrianising town centres and the development of large out of town shopping outlets means that there is often limited opportunity for people to park or be dropped off near to their destination. Shopmobility schemes provide mobility assistance for everyone, young or old, whether their mobility impairment is temporary or permanent. Our MORI research shows that Shopmobility schemes are a popular and well used service. The National Federation of Shopmobility estimate that their services make over 1.5 million trips per year and the business case for providing the schemes is convincing".
Grahame Lawson, Chair of DPTAC Personal Mobility and Local Authority Working Group said:
"Shopmobility should be an integral part of Local Transport Plan strategies and funding and Local authorities should be encouraged to promote Shopmobility amongst developers and give support to local schemes. Provision is currently patchy as Shopmobility schemes often find themselves competing with other charities for local financial support. Guaranteed local funding would encourage more schemes and help more disabled and older people to retain their mobility, and bridge an existing gap by providing a more integrated and accessible transport system".
Notes for editors:
1. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) was set up under the Transport Act of 1985 to advise Government on the transport needs of all disabled people. It has a maximum of 20 members (of whom at least half must be disabled people), representing a wide range of transport interests. Members are appointed by Ministers and are unpaid, apart from the reimbursement of expenses.
2. The DPTAC position statement on Shopmobility is on the DPTAC site at: www.dptac.gov.uk/pubs/shopmobility/index.htm.
3. DPTAC has published a research report into the Attitudes of Disabled People to Public Transport. The research study conducted by MORI questioned nearly 1000 disabled people to establish the attitudes of disabled people to public transport in England and Wales. MORI's research report is available on the DPTAC web site at: www.dptac.gov.uk/research/apt/index.htm or from the Secretariat.
4. For further information on DPTAC, contact the Secretary, Andy Kirby on 020 7944 8012 (Fax: 020 7944 6998), 4/24 Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR or email dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk.
5. The National Federation of Shopmobility UK provides advice and assistance in setting up new schemes and ongoing support for established schemes.
The National Federation of Shopmobility UK can be contacted at:
The National Federation of Shopmobility UK
The Hawkins Suite, Enham Place
Enham Alamein
Andover
Hampshire SP11 6JS
Contact: Richard Ashdown
Tel: 08456 442 446
Fax: 08456 444 442
E-mail: info@shopmobilityuk.org
Website: www.justmobility.co.uk
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