Nigel Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer
In recent weeks I’ve shared posts about the profoundly concerning narrative around disabled people and the Motability Scheme, and the impact it has.
Other charities and DPOs (Disabled People's Organisations) have also shared their concerns with us, both privately, and on their social media channels, deeply concerned about the effect this harmful stigmatisation has on the lives of their beneficiaries.
Yesterday I was shocked to hear Reform MP, Lee Anderson, advocate for the return of the Invacar, more commonly known as the blue trike:
“I remember back in the day if you were on disability and you wanted a car on the state it was a blue three-wheeler. What’s wrong with that? Let’s go back to that.”
I can answer that question. Blue trikes had their day and were once an invaluable mobility aid for disabled drivers, when there was no alternative. But they were phased out for a reason – they were dangerous, no longer fit for purpose and they restricted disabled people to travelling in isolation.
They singled out and labelled disabled people who were trying to go about their daily lives just like everyone else on the road. In a progressive society, this was no longer acceptable and that has not changed today.
Not all disabled people can drive, but they do all deserve the right to live their lives and travel - to medical appointments, work, for education and just doing things that everyone else takes for granted. The Motability Scheme enables them to do that.
It saddens me that outrageous statements such as this are underpinned by a fundamental lack of understanding of disability, how it affects individuals, of how the Motability Scheme actually works, and of the significant economic benefits it brings to the UK.
On a more positive note...
The BBC’s Access All podcast invited me to set the record straight on how the Scheme works and bust some myths - as well as speak to some listeners who talked about the profound impact the Scheme has on their lives.
Photo credit: user:geni, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link