Motability response on wheelchair accessible vehicles

I wrote recently about the costs of buying a wheelchair accessible vehicle, and the fact that for many drivers, the Motability leasing scheme was not the best or most cost-effective option. Delia Ray, head of marketing at Motability Operations, has responded with the following comments:

"Motability maintains a range of highly affordable motoring options for all drivers. The Scheme has seen exceptional growth in recent years, in tandem with record levels of customer satisfaction, and this is across the range, on all types of cars.

For more than four years we have consistently provided more than 200 cars at no advance payment, including family cars such as the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, plus a range of automatics.

In relation specifically to the VW Touran, both the 1.9 diesel and 1.6 petrol models are currently available at £799 advance payment.

As well as standard cars, we aim to meet the needs of disabled drivers who require adaptations, with a range of driving controls, including hand controls, at no extra charge. Last year more than 12,000 customers ordered cars with adaptations through the Scheme.

We also supply a range of wheelchair accessible vehicles at less than £500 advance payment, and now have more than 10,000 customers who have therefore been able to access the mobility that a WAV provides at the most affordable levels.

The cost of a Motability lease package includes all insurance, servicing and maintenance, breakdown cover, windscreen and tyre replacement.

Clearly, Motability is not immune from the economic climate, and car prices have increased from many suppliers in line with reduced levels of production, and the fall in value of the pound against the Euro. However, we are committed to providing a full choice of affordable cars for all our customers for the long term." Delia Ray, head of marketing at Motability Operations

You can read my original article, including an individual motorist's experience, and based on feedback from people in the conversion industry, by following this link:

Independent Living Journal: Motability and buying an adapted vehicle

And don't forget you can share your experiences with other visitors to Independent Living, by adding a comment here!

Charities still exploiting their position unfairly

I am publishing this on behalf of a well-respected manufacturer who wants to remain anonymous.

"I thought you may be interested to learn about a letter I received a couple of days ago. An independent charitable organisation has approached us requesting we consider them to become a retailer of our products - no shocks there then, this practice now appears to be becoming very common.

The real shock to me was that they are hoping for big lottery funding at the end of September this year to allow them to set up a full retail outlet for mobility products!! Not only that but in the meantime they have requested that we provide them with an account on a sale or return basis!!

You can't blame them for trying I suppose, but somehow I just can't get my head around the fact that they not only expect us to fund the business venture through charitable donations (lottery funding etc) but they also want the goods they stock for free!!

Furthermore, what about our existing retail partners who are loyal to our products and with whom we have developed a quality business relationship - do they expect us to ignore them?

I am a great believer in competition, I think it engenders a healthy environment for development and improvement but - and it is a big but - there needs to be consistency and a fair, level playing field.

For all the reasons you have previously reported, charitable organisations have the upper hand over non-charitable business, and as a manufacturer we are deeply concerned at the emergence of these so called charity retailers as it puts us and our retail partners in a very difficult position.

Taking this situation to its ultimate conclusion, perhaps all businesses should simply register as charitable organisations? Either that or we could potentially see the slow decline of the business community as we currently know it."

I've written about the commercial activities of charities before, and although I have some sympathy for organisations that are doing good work, and hurting in the current financial climate, I don't see why good, caring businesses - which are probably even more affected by the credit crunch - should be disadvantaged in this way.

What do you think?

Support the BT Paralympic World Cup

The BT Paralympic World Cup is back in Manchester between 20th and 25th May.

Now in its 5th year, the annual event is an important opportunity for British athletes to test themselves against a strong international field, and has been described by Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, as "...a significant stepping stone for many athletes aiming to compete in London and beyond and the event is a place where they can raise their game and test themselves against strong international opposition, providing vital preparation but also a great sporting spectacle along the way."

This will be the first major international multi-sport elite disability event since the Beijing Paralympic Games, and is expected to attract major international stars, as well as a strong British contingent. Over 400 competitors from some 31 countries are scheduled to compete, including ParalympicsGB athletes Nathan Stephens and John McFall and Paralympic legend Oscar Pistorius.

The Paralympic World Cup has been held in Manchester since its inception, helping it to cement its reputation as a host city with superb facilities, sporting history and a vibrant volunteering culture. World-class competition venues include the Manchester Regional Arena, Aquatics Centre and Velodrome, all of which will see action during the Games.

You can find out more from the ParalympicsGB website or by calling 0844 8471622. Or join the Official Paralympic Facebook Group

If you can't get to Manchester, look out for live coverage from the BBC on Monday 25th May.