Logo designed by Liz O'Donnell of CaithnessSupporting people in Caithness and North Sutherland affected by neurological disorders

www.nervecentre.org.uk      

 

             

Highland Council Travel Card Scheme 

  NEW from 30 September 2002...check your eligibility!

Q. What is the Travel Card scheme?

Answer: It's a concessionary travel scheme run by Highland Council and is free from 30 September 2002.  

Q. What free services does it entitle the holder to?

Answer:

  • free bus services for all journeys both starting and finishing within the Highland Council area.
  • free ferry services between the following: Camusnagual-Fort William; Mallaig - Armadale; Mallaig  - Small isles; Cape Wrath ferry; Mallaig - Loch Nevis; Raasay - Sconser.
  • Other half-fare services are also eligible, for more details see the leaflet available at your local Post Office, Library or Council Service Point. 

Q. Who can apply for a travel card?

Answer:  You can apply if you are a resident of Highland Council area and:

  1. you are a woman aged 60 or over OR
  2. you are a man aged 65 or over (from 1 April 2003 men aged 60 or over) OR
  3. you are profoundly deaf OR
  4. you are or would be disqualified from holding a driving licence on medical grounds (e.g. due to a neurological condition including epilepsy) OR
  5. you have a permanent disability which seriously impairs your ability to walk OR
  6. you suffer from a mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984.

Companion Card

If you need help when travelling by public transport you may be eligible for a Companion Card entitling your travelling companion to travel at half fare.  Ask for details at your local Social Work Office.  Your local Social Work Office will be able to advise you if you have any queries about those aspects of the scheme.

Q. How do I apply for a card?

Answer: Available free of charge at 

  • Post office, sub-post office, Library or Service Point in Highland Council area.

Q. What do I need to apply?

  • proof that you are resident in Highland
  • a recent passport size photograph
  • either proof of age (if applying as a senior citizen) or a certificate of eligibility from your local Social Work Office (if applying under categories 3, 4, 5 or 6)

The card is valid for five years from the date of issue.

Disabled Drivers Association  Added 25.5.02

The Disabled Driver's Association is a self help organization run for disabled people by disabled people, and concerns itself with the needs of disabled people primarily by encouraging greater independence through enhanced mobility.  

Mobility touches every aspect of disabled people's lives, whether they are drivers or passengers, using cars, wheelchairs, public transport or simply walking!

From its formation as a group of invalid tricycle users in 1948, the DDA has given a clear lead in the fight to improve mobility and access and to put an end to discrimination and segregation. 

Blue Badge Disabled Parking Scheme   Added.27.5.02

The disabled parking badge scheme is a national scheme for people who:

  • are registered blind or

  • have severe walking difficulties or

  • regularly drive but require foot controls.

The scheme enables badge holders to park on some single and double yellow lines and provides free parking in all Highland Council car parks.

Application forms are available from the Council's service points, or you can download the form from the Council website above (.pdf file).

DVLA  Added 27.5.02

New Drivers/Existing Drivers 

You must tell the DVLA if you had any of these:

  • An epileptic event (seizure or fit)

  • Sudden attacks or disabling giddiness, fainting or blackouts

  • Severe mental handicap

  • A pacemaker, defibrillator or anti-ventricular tachycardia device fitted

  • Diabetes controlled by insulin

  • Diabetes controlled by tablets

  • Angina (heart pain) while driving

  • Parkinson's disease

  • Any other chronic neurological condition

  • A serious problem with memory

  • A major or minor stroke

  • Any type of brain surgery, brain tumour. Severe head injury involving in-patient treatment at hospital

  • Any severe psychiatric illness or mental disorder

  • Continuing/permanent difficulty in the use of arms or legs which affects your ability to control a vehicle

  • Dependence on or misuse of alcohol, drugs or chemical substances in the past 3 years (do not include drink/driving offences)

  • Any visual disability which affects BOTH eyes. ( do not declare short/long sight or colour blindness)

Having one of the above does not necessarily disqualify you from driving.

Motability Website

Motability is a national UK charity, which helps disabled people and their families to become more mobile. It was set up on the initiative of the Government in 1977, to provide vehicles and powered wheelchairs to disabled people. 

The first Motability vehicle was supplied in 1978 and since then more than 1.28 million cars and powered wheelchairs have been provided. The Motability Scheme now has more than 390,000 customers driving, or being driven on the road to freedom