Disabled People and Carers

Getting around

To help you get around Westminster and the City, there are a number of useful services. 

Access and Transport – the Department of Transport aims to improve transport provision for disabled people whether as pedestrians, public, special transport users or motorists. There are a number of mobility centres providing information and advice on vehicle adaptations, and the selection and use of wheelchairs and scooters. www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access.  There is also information about transport and travel for disabled and less mobile people at www.dptac.gov.uk/door-to-door.

Accessibility – find out about your rights under the Disability Discrimination Act and other legislation on the Disability Rights Commission website www.drc-gb.org, or DirectGov www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations.

Dial a ride is a door to door service for disabled people who can not use public transport. To be eligible for Dial a Ride membership you must have a permanent or long term disability which makes you unable or virtually unable to use public transport services such as buses or the Tube. www.tfl.gov.uk/dial-a-ride

Disabled Parking - Disabled Westminster residents may qualify for a White Badge and a Blue Badge. If you are disabled, and do not live in Westminster but work in the borough, you may be eligible to apply for a White Badge. 

Freedom Pass - If you are aged 60 or over, or are under 60 and have an eligible disability, and are a permanent resident in a London borough, you can apply for a freedom pass to help you get around London. The freedom pass enables you to travel free on London’s public transport which includes: buses, tube, trains, Docklands Light Railway and trams. You can apply for your Freedom Pass at the Post Office. www.freedompass.org  

Getting a car – The Motability Scheme can help you with leasing or buying a car if you're getting the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement or the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Even if you don't drive, you can apply for a car as a passenger and propose two other people as your drivers. www.motability.co.uk

London Transport – the Transport for London website has information about all modes of transport and planning advice. www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl

Making buildings accessible - Access should not be just the minimum standard needed to comply with the Building Regulations, but should provide as fully as possible for the needs of all who will be using a building. The City of Westminster is represented within 'Disability Action Westminster Ltd.', and through its Building Control and Planning functions aims to improve accessibility to the built environment.

Taxicard is a door-to-door transport service for Londoners with serious mobility problems who have difficulty in using public transport and who meet the eligibility criteria. The scheme provides subsidised trips in licensed London taxis. www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/1197.aspx   Request an application form on line or pick one up from one of the Council’s One Stop Offices.

Wheelchairs are provided by the Wheelchair Service, run by Westminster Primary Care NHS Trust. Contact the service for more information on 020 7316 6910. www.westminster-pct.nhs.uk/services/wheelchair.htm