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Also, in a lot of cases people 'fall foul' of the unable/virtually unable to walk rule. You will find that some people basically remain housebound (relying on family/PAs/carers) to go and e.g. buy shopping/collect prescriptions, as some/many PCTs class 'virtually unable to walk' even tighter than the HRM DLA regs. You can be on HRM DLA, and still be ineligible for powered mobility on the NHS. People are also often issued standard manual chairs which they cannot self-propel; saying to the PCT that you need a lightweight chair so you can get yourself to lectures may well result in being told that that is an 'educational need'. The same applies to being able to sit in the wheelchair for protracted periods of time. Personally, I have often heard stories where people have only been able to sit in their powered mobility/manual chair for an hour. That appears to be deemed acceptable for a 'mobility aid'...particularly when the reason you want to be able to sit in it for eight hours is for work/education. I've recently been told that a major reason for my sitting ability getting worse is lack of 24-hour positioning...but that's hard to achieve in a uni/work environment. This can be a particular shock at university level, as at school age services are far more joined up. Quoting "Ian F." <[log in to unmask]>: > Hi > You can make a case for DSA funding to cover the cost of a mobility > scooter > in certain circumstances. The funding authority could refer to guidance > provided by the DfES in March 2007: > > -- > Electrically powered wheelchairs and scooters > 161.. Generally the cost of purchasing wheelchairs and scooters would > be > incurred regardless of whether the student is attending a course and > therefore would not normally be an appropriate charge to the DSA. > Individual > health authorities have duties to meet the mobility needs of people who > are > unable or virtually unable to walk. However, some students may have > requirements which arise specifically because of the course. For example, > attendance on a course may mean that a student has to use hilly terrains > which can be avoided in ordinary life. Advice may be requested from the > institution's Disability Advisor. A hilly university campus terrain may > mean > that a manual wheelchair is inadequate or that a student with mobility > problems might require human assistance to move around the campus. An > electrically powered wheelchair/scooter in such cases would probably be > more > cost effective over the life of the course. If lectures are held in > different parts of the campus which are some distance apart, students may > be > required to travel quickly in order to reach their next lecture on time. > This may not be possible for a student with limited mobility or a manual > wheelchair. Therefore, we believe that each request for mobility > equipment > such as wheelchairs and scooters should be considered individually in the > light of course requirements and the terrain of the university campus. > > -- > > Note, that the 'hilly terrain' arguement is only given as an example of > the > type of situation where a student might need a mobility scooter. Another > example might be when a student is normally able to drive everywhere and > can > walk for short distances, so doesn't need a scooter or wheelchair, but > can't use this mobility strategy on a campus-based university where the > layout of the campus means it's not possible to drive around the campus > and > park close enough to all the main teaching and learning resources used by > students. > > If the student needs a mobility scooter for general daily living > activities > then it's not appropriate to use the DSA, as the student really should be > supported properly by their local social services, so using DSA could > mean > the student doesn't get into the system and be properly assessed for this > and other practical support with daily living tasks that social services > can > arrange. > > Hope this helps > > Ian Francis > > > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Callaghan, Brigid" <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Friday, November 16, 2007 10:29 AM > Subject: mobility scooter > > > Do any of you provide mobility scooters for loan to students. I know it > is health authority provision, LEA won't fund etc. just need to sort it > quick. > > > > [log in to unmask] > > Thanks > > > > *********************************************************** > Brigid Callaghan > Senior Disability Adviser > Student Services > University of Bolton > Deane Rd > Bolton > BL3 5AB > [log in to unmask] > To make an appointment: 01204 903733. > Direct line: 01204 903803 > Minicom: 01204 903490 > > Please do not print off this email unless absolutely necessary - save > the planet. > *********************************************************** > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.33/1133 - Release Date: > 15/11/2007 > 20:57 > > > -- > I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. > It has removed 2505 spam emails to date. > Paying users do not have this message in their emails. > Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len > > >