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: "The 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".
Related Links
- www.dptac.gov.uk/pubs/shopmobility/index.htm.>The DPTAC position statement on Shopmobility is on the DPTAC site at:
- MORI's research report is available
- www.justmobility.co.ukbled />The National Federation of Shopmobility UK