If you are travelling abroad in your own vehicle and are on your own (or even if you are with someone) paying tolls can be a problem as you are in a right had drive vehicle.  A Tollbird box works on all highways in Italy, France, Spain and Portugal. Once you pass a tolling plaza, your box will beep and the barrier opens for you.

Survey reveals nearly 40% of respondents who are blind or vision impaired have been injured by footpath obstacles as Clear Our Paths campaign launches.

A new survey conducted among NCBI service users has revealed that approximately 40% of respondents, who are blind or vision impaired, have been injured because of unexpected obstacles or hazards on our footpaths. The survey results come as NCBI today launches its annual Clear Our Paths campaign.

***NEW*** dlr SpaceFinder App provides real-time updates on Accessible Parking Spaces in Dún Laoghaire. Great to see the spacefinder app expanding, coming to a town or city near you. Search dlr spacefinder in the app store or the Apple store.
https://www.dlrcoco.ie/news/general-news/new-dlr-spacefinder-app-provides-real-time-updates-accessible-parking-spaces-dun

MORE THAN 1,000 disabled people who were refused access to a scheme for claiming tax relief of up to €48,000 on specially adapted cars have been told they have no recourse to an appeal system to try and get the decisions reversed.

The backlog arose following the resignation of the entire Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal in November 2021. 

Tuesday 20th June 2023

The Disabled Drivers Association welcomes the news that the Minister for Finance Michael McGrath, TD has signed regulations that establishes a fourth category of reliefs in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, for people with disabilities who require complex and significant adaptions to their vehicles to enable in-vehicle wheelchair access.

Ger Deering,  as Ombudsman has been entirely consistent on the subject of supports for the personal transport of people with disabilities for many years, appearing in several Oireachtas Committees.

As he alludes to, we have heard Minister Kathleen Lynch saying a new scheme was imminent.  Minister Finian McGrath had a proposal for a new scheme rejected by Cabinet. The latest report recognises the need for new schemes but admits not assigning leadership responsibility to accomplish this.

10 year delay in providing transport supports for people with disabilities is ‘shameful’ - Ombudsman. Ombudsman Ger Deering has said that it is ‘shameful’ that there is still no suitable government support to help people with disabilities access personal transport.   This is despite a commitment from government over ten years ago to develop an appropriate scheme, and reports from two government departments highlighting the need for such supports.

Man awarded €30k from wheelchair assistance company after fall at Dublin Airport bus stop.

Read the full article here

Kenneth Fox, Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland CEO, discusses a new setback in bid to re-establish the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal

Listen back here