Motability Charity, founded in 1977, is the primary organization responsible for making Mobility Cars Available to people with disabilities in the United Kingdom. The Mobility Charity is a United-Kingdom based ‘car scheme’ that exists for the purpose of connecting people with disabilities to mobility options. They help people utilize existing benefits (such as their Disabled Living Allowance Rates) in order to purchase mobility equipment. In addition, Motability Charity also does fund-raising for those unable to afford vehicles and adaptive equipment.
In terms of Mobility Cars Available, Ford Mobility is the leading line of cars available in connection with the Motability Charity. To date, over five hundred thousand Ford Mobility vehicles have been purchased through the Motability Charity. As Ford Mobility’s UK website states: “We know that having a car can give you the freedom of independence. With Ford Mobility, we can also provide you with real freedom of choice, with an extensive range of award-winning cars that deliver versatility and roominess without compromising on performance, driveability or style.”
Mobility Cars Available within the Ford Mobility line of vehicles include, but are not limited to:
- The Ka
- The Fiesta
- The Fusion
- The Focus
- The All-New Five-Seat C-MAX
- The All-New Seven-Seat Grand C-MAX
- The Kuga
- The Mondeo
- The S-MAX
- The Galaxy
How can a car within the line of Mobility Cars Available help you as a person with physical disabilities?
- A Motability Specialist (in partnership with a Ford Dealership) can assist you in being fitted for a car to suit your physical needs. Specialized seat fittings are available.
- A Fleet Service Team is provided as on-call with your contract, to assist with repairs and vehicle needs.
- Various driving devices and adaptive pieces can be retrofitted to your vehicle.
How does one qualify for a Motability-sponsored vehicle (or be part of a Mobility Scheme)? To qualify, you need to be receiving either:
- The Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMC-DLA) OR
- the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS).
There is also a United States version of the Ford Mobility Vehicle Program (in partnership with Lincoln cars), called Ford Mobility Motoring. They offer reimbursements (of up to $1,200) for adaptive equipment added to a Ford or Lincoln vehicle. They also offer up to $200 for an alert hearing device, lumbar support or running boards (this $200 is included under the $1200 general limit.) Ford Mobility Vehicle Program also offers specific vehicle plans geared toward people with disabilities. Many of their vehicles are retrofitted for portable wheelchair ramps. Additional adaptive equipment offered for their vehicles includes: raised roof, power-assist seats, lowered floors, lifts, door openers and hand controls. The Ford Mobility Vehicle Program requires that all major adaptive equipment be installed by a Ford Authorized Qualified Vehicle Modifier if it is to qualify for reimbursement.