Letter of the month
WHEN DID WE START DRIVING LORRIES?

Sir – Can you please give B&Q Superstore in Bilston, West Midlands, a special award. When I visited the shop recently I commented to one of their staff that the disabled spaces seemed to have a lot of disabled drivers using lorries to transport themselves around. I had looked, and none of them had a disabled badge on display.
The answer I got was that they could not do anything about it. This struck me as a very strange response, especially as the B&Q Superstore in Enfield clamps people who misuse the disabled bays around their store.
At least the B&Q employeed did not give me the response I had a few years ago from a manager at J Sainsbury in Wolverhampton. He justified taking no
action against people who park in disabled spaces because “they spend more”.
I no longer shop at that branch of Sainsbury's. I would rather go to a shop that treats everyone equally, no matter what their physical state, colour, creed or size of wallet.
MH Gough
Wombourne, S Staffs

TYRE PRESSURES
Sir – May I, through your columns, advise your readers to examine their electric scooter policies carefully? I am, like many of us, virtually immobile, being able to stagger just a few paces with the aid of walking sticks.
This is normally a minor problem thanks to my electric scooter and a wheelchair plus a small car and a chauffeur (my wife).
When halfway to town last Tuesday to meet my wife in the local market I had the misfortune to collect a nail in the scooter tyre – thump, thump, a sad flat tyre.
I was on the mobile to my wife at once and she promptly phoned the scooter insurers. Imagine our distress when we were told that tyre mishaps were not covered by the breakdown insurance – unlike our car breakdown insurance which, for around the same annual cost, covers that particular eventuality, thank goodness.
I will draw a veil over the problems we had in getting back home with the sick scooter, getting a helpful passing workman to remove the wheel (secured by a very tight wheelnut) and finding a tyre depot that could deal with the problem.
After 36 hours of aggro I am now mobile again, but no thanks to an insurance broker who should surely be aware of the problems that a flat tyre creates for those with serious mobility problems. After all, why else would we own
electric scooters?
So, scooterists, re-read your policy's exclusion clauses or phone your broker.
Meanwhile, can any readers recommend a policy/broker that covers such misadventures?
John Powell
Melton Mowbray

DON'T BE SOLD ON SALES TALK
Sir – It was with interest that I read your article “Take Care with Cheap Deals” (Disabled Motorist, May 2005) that was written with “assistance” from Linda Ling, MD of Gowrings Mobility.
I have to express my sadness that the DDMC would publish such a flagrant example of scaremongering from a profit-driven company.
For the first time in many years we, as disabled motorists, have been able to enjoy increasingly lower priced and lower deposit vehicles both through Motability and privately. The market has, in the last few years, become far bigger and, as such, the choice of vehicles has become greater for us, the disabled purchaser, to choose from. After six months of looking, I decided to replace my ageing VW Transporter with a Renault Kangoo. From the extremely low prices I was able to select at least four I could afford. Having looked at all of them (two of which friends owned), I have to say that I was less impressed with some of the more established companies' conversions.
Through speaking to two different dealers, the question of Low Volume Type Approval was also raised.
I decided that rather than take the word of a salesman I would investigate this myself.Contrary to Mrs Ling's claims, Low Volume Type Approval does not require the testing of wheelchair restraints. All that is required in a Kangoo conversion is the testing of the rear seat seatbelt mounts. As for her claim that some are visually inspected “like an MOT”, again, this is unbelieveable. When
did an MOT become unsafe? If they are, I can think of about 20 million cars on our roads that are seemingly death traps.
Perhaps she could also explain why none of her other vehicles have Low Volume Approval, or what happens if you buy a Ford from her – is there a Ford Accord Technique?
I can only plead that we as disabled motorists do our homework and make a decision independently of any sales person.
Roger Healy
Hertfordshire

The Editor writes: The DDMC position was outlined in the June issue of Disabled Motorist. There is no doubt that the variety of constructors in the industry keeps the market competitive and vehicles affordable. We want as many players as possible to ensure choice and value – but not at the expense
of safety. Most of the evidence would suggest that standards in the industry are improving, not least because of the efforts of Motability, but consumers do need to be on their guard and ensure that they are comparing like with like. At the very least you should ensure that your chosen conversion has achieved
type approval and avoid the “back door” route of registration then conversion.

GYM FIXED IT!
Sir – I feel that I must tell you about Bannatynes Health and Fitness gym in
Wakefield, West Yorkshire, where my wife and I have just joined. I parked my
car in a disabled bay and on entering the gym we were politely asked if were disabled to which we replied yes.
It was explained to us that Bannatynes have a clamping policy to any vehicle
using the bays without a blue Disabled Parking Badge, plus displaying signs and also announcing on their PA system, thus naming and shaming drivers abusing the bays. In the short time that we have been going, this practice seems to work.
BRH Davies
West Yorkshire

PUT IT IN WRITING
Sir – Poor BM Stevens, of Gloucestershire (Orthotic help, Letters, Disabled
Motorist May 2004), has been treated the way many polio-disabled people are
treated by this Cinderella of services, the orthotics service. I collect complaints
from our members all over the UK and have presented them to Ministers and
civil servants with little effect.
Always complain in writing to your local hospital who will then have to reply. Among other initiatives, the issue has been put forward by us at the scoping
exercises of the National Service Framework for Neurological Conditions
in the hope that orthotics will be given the importance it deserves.
Dorothy Nattress BA Dip SS
National Welfare Officer, British
Polio Fellowship

DON'T RUSH IN
Sir – I have read your magazine for some time now and have seen many
comments from people regarding Orange/Blue badge abuse.
I do not believe that supermarkets etc will try too hard to implement the
scheme as they will alienate the customers who are in a hurry to shop and have to park near the store.
I was quite surprised that you didn't offer a comment to C Ramsay's letter in
the June issue in which he said he “challenged people and youth who ran into the store”. This commendable but foolhardly action should not be condoned as the action for a disabled person to take because people who take these places have no conscience and probably have no qualms about pushing over a disabled person.
I did agree with him regarding the ID photo being on show with the date/time
so that there would be a reduction in the abuse of the badges.
While writing, I would like to say that it is nice to read about the luxury cars on offer, however I wonder if it is possible to show cars on test that are cheaper, especially on the Motability scheme. It would also be nice to know how easy it is to get from a chair and if the chair can be packed away without too much trouble.
These are three of the main criteria for myself and many of my colleagues
when going out to change our vehicles.
Finally, I would like to thank you for the magazine and the nice layout of it. Also, the chance to give old moaners like myself an opportunity to let off
steam!
Mr B Bolden
Dagenham, Essex

CARRY ON CAMPING
Sir – As there is no longer a page devoted to the Caravan and Camping Section I felt impelled to write expressing the enjoyment I had from the May rally at Wells-next-the-Sea.We were a group of 13 outfits, three of us are single as we have lost our spouse, but were made to feel one of a group rather than the odd one out (however, we could escape if we felt like being on our own).
The weather was glorious after a cold and windy start and the fun and laughter was a tonic. No pressure is put on anyone to join in the various evening events, and the daytime is one's own to explore the area or chill out.
We had a thoroughly enjoyable fortnight, so come on all you caravanners
and campers, and join us.
Heather Watts
Oswestry, Shropshire

RAILWAY RANKLE
Sir – Having read the comments in the last couple of editions re Disabled Bay Parking, I wish to advise that it does not relate only to supermarket bays but to parking bays at railway stations. I travel every day from Scotrail Service Westerton (Glasgow) to High St.
At Westerton park and ride, three bays are marked for disabled parking and on most days the vehicles occupying the bays do not display Blue badges, in fact I have seen the drivers arriving at the station and as the train is pulling into the platform they pull into a disabled bay to sprint to board the train.Today, of the four cars parked in the bays only one (my own) displayed a
Blue badge. It is very frustrating as I have to go to the station early to obtain
a parking bay. I intend to email Scotrail asking if the British Transport Police
cannot monitor these bays occasionally as a sign at the station informs motorists that they are subject to Railways by-laws when parking.
George Carruth, Glasgow

GARDEN GLORY
Sir – I enjoyed the article on The Lost Gardens of Heligan (Disabled Motorist, June 2004) and fully endorse the writer's points; the gardens are well worth a visit.
Maureen Aldridge

DUTY CALL
Sir – I write in reference to several letters in your June issue concerning
supermarket parking. I feel that I should comment.
I, too, have had problems of this nature, prompting me to make enquiries
with the Disability Rights Commission who stated the following:
“Part Two of the DDA states that disabled people must not be treated differently in terms of access than able-bodied people, and by not policing these bays properly they are denying access to the disabled, thus breaching the DDA.”
Perhaps the supermarket chiefs should be reminded of their obligations under
the DDA and, if necessary, prosecuted.
A prosecution would only have to happen once, and the problem would
disappear immediately.
How do other readers feel about this?
R Johnson, Stockport

SLIDING DOORS
Sir – May I enquire if any of your readers have any knowledge of a car which
has sliding doors to both the driver's and the front passenger's doors?
Both my wife and I are disabled and find it very difficult to get in and out of
the car, even when parked in a disabled bay. If the disabled bays are full and we have to use a normal one we often find it impossible to get back into the car, due to other drivers parking so close.
After much thought, we thought the answer might be in sliding doors, but
all local enquiries have, so far, been to no avail. We would welcome your comments.
KA Hope, Ormskirk, Lancashire

PIN NEEDLED
Sir – Although I am sure you are aware of the situation with the newly
introduced Chip and Pin credit cards, I thought I would write to invite your
comments and see if you could shed any light on an impending predicament for disabled drivers that I was recently made aware of.
I am a wheelchair user and, as such, have subscribed to Servicecall due to the inherent problems involved in attempting to fill my own car with petrol. It now appears that the introduction of Chip and Pin cards could cause potential problems for disabled drivers who use the Servicecall scheme.
It was brought to my attention by a member of staff at my local service station
that at present it is still possible to override the Pin entry option and revert
to a signature. However, I was led to believe that this will eventually change
as the proposal is to move entirely to the Pin entry system, and that the machines used in this process are not transportable, ie from the kiosk to the car. While I appreciate this is a situation that will not change overnight, I hoped you might be in a position to clarify the situation.
Brian Haynes
Bedford

Sir - May I highlight a problem I am having regarding Chip and Pin numbers.
Having a broken neck (C5/6) I am concerned I may not be able to use my card
if I cannot sign my name and am unable to remember the number.
I can pick my own number with MNBNA Bank and I am awaiting an answer fom Lloyds TSB, but HSBC says it does not have this service and I will have to use an ATM – hole in the wall – to change it. I have pointed out this would be difficult and I would have to have help, but HSBC says that is the only way.
George Ridgeon

Disabled Motorist contacted the Chip and PIN group, which told us: Chip and
PIN will enable more disabled people to use plastic cards than ever before.
However, there are some groups for whom chip and PIN could be more difficult and the banking industry is working to ensure that those people who are unable to use PIN continue to have other options. If any cardholder is worried about using Chip and PIN they should contact their bank or card issuer who will be able discuss other options with them. These may include signature, or other suitable methods (for example, rubber signature stamp or other unique forms of ID).
Chip and PIN is working closely with petrol retailers and disability groups
to look into solutions to enable disabled cardholders who are unable to leave their cars to use chip and PIN at petrol stations.
At present it is not possible to use a wireless PIN pad on a petrol forecourt
due to Health and Safety regulations regarding the use of electrical equipment on forecourts. However, petrol stations will continue to accept alternative verification methods such as signature for disabled cardholders.
This will mean that disabled cardholders will continue to sign for their petrol as they do today with the cashier taking the slip to the car. This will not
affect the use of Chip and PIN in other retail environments.

We welcome your views on any issue affecting disabled motorists. It may be about something you’ve read in this magazine or an experience
that has affected you.
If you think other people should know about it, write and tell us:
Letters
Disabled Motorist
DDMC
Cottingham Way
Thrapston
Northants
NN4 4PL
or email:
[email protected]
The Editor reserves the right to edit submissions for length or legality.