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Room at the top?
The Motability AGM last month was a celebration of the significant achievements over the last two or three years. The transformation of the scheme from one facing a barrage of criticism from users to an increasingly flexible, customer centred organisation is to be applauded. As Douglas Campbell, Executive Director of the Disabled Drivers Association, ably commented, "The relationship with Motability used to feel adversarial, now it feels like a partnership."
Encouragingly, there is no shortage of ideas for future improvement and the concept of consumer choice now seems to be an over- riding principle. The sense of unity between the teams run- ning Motability and Motability Operations (formerly MFL)means that problems are addressed in a really dynamic way.
Against this background it almost seems churlish to raise the question of overnance. However, every charity, including the DDMC, needs to take a long hard look at the composition of its Board. Do its procedures encourage new blood? Howrepresentative is the Board of the community it serves? The fact that Motability oversees a multi-million pound business makes this process phenomenally difficult and the skills necessary to be an effective Governor, and the enormous commitment of those who currently occupy that position, can't be minimised. But is an all white, all male, team of Governors, (most of whom have served for very many years and are either of retirement age or fast approaching it) appropriate in 2004? Surely no-one could argue that there aren't eminently capable women who could be encouraged if to play a role at this level? scheme for disabled people Perhaps having younger disabled people on the Board could help improve the ratio of younger disabled customers? Similarly, is it not likely that minority ethnic representatives could assist in developing strategies to encourage greater take up of the scheme from these communities? We wait with interest to see whether the atmosphere of change and dynamism within the scheme will reach the very top of the charity.
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A tax too far
I n spite of the continued investment in making public I transport accessible, the private car remains the vital element of mobility for most disabled people. We know,from detailed research and the many letters we receive, that large numbers of our members are struggling to meet the costs of private car ownership.
The proposed £4.50 annual charge, simply to register your vehicle, is an entirely unnecessary additional financial burden. The Government recognises the importance of personal mobility in the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance. It exempts some disabled people from the payment of Vehicle Excise Duty. It would be complete nonsense for a Government that talks about "joined up thinking" and "understanding the whole transport chain" to give with one hand and take with the other.
It seems that the proposed charge is ill-conceived and should be dropped, but at the very least, we need to ensure that all disabled people are exempt. The only way of doing this effectively is exemption for all Blue Badge Holders.
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Dubai 's lesson
When it comes to mobility and disabled people we're quite rightly proud of what has been achieved in the UK . So it comes as quite a shock to discover that while we waited years for a review of the Blue Badge scheme, and are still waiting for the promised action, Dubai is setting the pace in terms of parking enforcement.
In Dubai anyone abusing a space for disabled people will receive a fine for a first offence, have their vehicle impounded for two weeks for a second incident; and face a month with their car off the road and six points on their licence if they do it again - oh, and they are looking at increasing the rate of fines by changing federal law.
And it's not just tough penalties - they are also focusing on public awareness with a brochure and poster campaign.
The Director of Dubai's Traffic Police, in a statement that would gladden the hearts of disabled motorists across the UK , described abuse of a disabled bay as "a despicable act".
Isn't it time that the Blue Badge scheme in the UK received the similar Government attention?
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