Disability

Mobility advice and training

Mobility training is sometimes incorporated into general independence training courses or may be part of a rehabilitation process. The training aims to increase your independence, while also focussing on your safety and that of anyone who may be assisting you.

It often involves using a mobility aid – a vehicle, a wheelchair or walking aid, as well as managing outdoor movement and obstacles such as doorways and kerbs.

If you receive a mobility aid, such as a powered or manual wheelchair, through the local Wheelchair Services, you should receive basic training and safety awareness when you collect it.

Hertfordshire Society for the Blind provides support for people who have been told they will go blind. Training is crucial in the six weeks following diagnosis, to learn to get around without sight before losing it.

Hertfordshire Action on Disability provides driving assessment and tuition for disabled people learning to drive for the first time or returning to driving. HAD has six fully adapted cars and can help with getting adaptations for clients' vehicles. For details on other mobility centres in the country choose the link under 'External Links' to the Forum of Disability Centres.

Direct Gov has details about vehicle adaptations and the Motability scheme. See under 'External Links' on this page to link to their website and go to the 'Disabled People' section.