I run a non-profit driving school specialising in training disabled people to drive. There are no wheelchair accessible vehicles available for tuition in the entire UK.
Can you imagine having to transfer from a wheelchair into a driving school car in the rain? Or having people walk past as you do so making snide comments or judgements about your ability? Or losing your balance and falling into the gutter then losing all dignity trying to get back up again? I want to get a vehicle that you can drive from a wheelchair or transfer inside in private.
Currently if somebody needs a specially adapted accessible vehicle to learn to drive or to retrain after an accident or illness they must first purchase their own (or get one from Motability if they are eligible) before they can begin the process of learning to drive it.
I think this is unacceptable - why should someone have to purchase a car before they can learn to drive? Non disabled people do not have to do this. Please help me to raise enough money to purchase one of these specially adapted vehicles so that we can give wheelchair users the same options as their non disabled peers.
I have previously funded training vehicles privately and had adaptations fitted to enable them to be driven in different ways but transferring Into the car is difficult and time consuming. My current training car is breaking down a lot with over 110000 miles and because it is adapted it has no trade in value.
It is so satisfying and heart warming to see someone achieve their goals and become independently mobile - something the majority of us take for granted. The equipment is expensive but, like me I hope you think it is worth it.