PRACTICAL HELP / Mobility Aids

Disabled Persons Parking Card

Application forms for the EU Disabled Person’s Parking Card are available from The Disabled Drivers Association, Ballindine,Claremorris, Co. Mayo. The Association can also be contacted by calling 094 936 4054 / 9364 266

The Disabled Person’s Parking Card entitles you to park at parking meters and in disk parking areas without charge and without a time limit.

It also entitles you to park in assigned parking spaces that have the wheelchair symbol painted on the ground or in a bay where the symbol is displayed.

You do, however, have to pay the parking charge in private car parks.

The parking permit can be displayed on your own car or on the car of the person driving you.

The parking card is valid in all member states of the European Union.

Your local council may consider a request for a DISABLED PERSON’S PARKING BAY outside your home if certain conditions are met. To obtain full details of the requirements contact the Traffic Department at your local county council.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are available from The Irish Wheelchair Association Head Office, Blackheath Drive, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Call (01) 818 6400

Email: sales@iwa.ie Website: www.iwa.ie

Avoid ‘off-the-peg’, cheaper wheelchairs as these are less comfortable for the patient and heavier for the carer, when it comes to putting them into a car. The better wheelchairs are made to measure patient’s back and legs. Ask for a wheelchair bag to carry items and a cape for patient in case it rains, while you are out. Ask about funding the wheelchair through the Health Board or the VHI. Generally, severly disabled lung fibrosis patients will not be able to mobilise wheelchairs on their own, even the electric variety, especially since they have to manage portable oxygen cylinders at the same time.

Stairlifts

Severely disabled lung fibrosis patients may not be able to climb stairs. Stairlifts can be installed in about 3 hours. For a list of suppliers of stairlifts see the ILFA Directory of Services.

You may be entitled to a Disabled Persons Grant to assist with the cost of installing a stairlift. Contact your local Health Authority office for an application form. If you do qualify for a grant an occupational therapist will first have to provide a report and you will be required to submit two quotations.

Motorised Transport Grant

The Motorised Transport Grant is a means tested HSE payment for people with disabilities who need to buy a car. This payment is also available to people who need to have a car adapted in order to enable them to drive and, as a result earn a living. Certain conditions must be met to qualify for the grant.

To apply for a motorised transport grant contact your local HSE office.

Mobility Allowance

The Mobility Allowance is a means tested monthly payment payable by the HSE to people between the ages of 16 and 66 years who are unable to walk or to use public transport and may need to make occasional taxi journeys. A lower rate is payable to people availing of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme. Apply to your local HSE office.