About
Motability Foundation is a registered charity in England, Wales, and Scotland that works to build a future where all disabled people have the transport options to make the journeys they choose. The Foundation supports disabled people through individual grants, organisation grants, and research and innovation initiatives. It provides grants to thousands of disabled people every year through the Motability Scheme-related grants and Access to Mobility grants, and funds organisations that help disabled people make journeys. The Foundation carries out ongoing research in partnership with disabled people and key stakeholders to inspire innovations that champion accessible transport for all.
Funding Opportunities
Expanding Access to Driving Tuition for Disabled People
This funding round provides grants to organisations that provide driving lessons and car adaptations to help disabled people access transport. It funds organisations that provide driving tuition for disabled people. Organisations can apply for funding to support the continuation or expansion of existing services and support others to access this provision. Requests can include the costs for vehicles, adaptations, staff costs, approved driving instructor (ADI) costs, training, communication materials and overheads. The programme particularly seeks applications from Deaf and Disabled People's Organisations (DDPOs) and is interested in funding projects that deliver meaningful impact in deprived areas or to underrepresented groups.
Driving Lessons Grant
The Driving Lessons Grant is a funding program specifically for disabled people who are on the Motability Scheme and meet additional eligibility criteria. The grant provides up to 40 hours of funded driving lessons with a local driving instructor arranged through the AA Driving School. It is designed for individuals learning to drive for the first time who hold a provisional UK driving licence and have passed their theory test. The grant is exclusively available to those receiving means-tested benefits. For existing full licence holders who have received grant-funded changes in driving adaptations to their Scheme vehicle, the foundation may fund familiarisation lessons to help adjust to new ways of driving. The program is administered by the Motability Foundation, a registered charity that supports disabled people with their mobility needs.
Independent Driving Solutions (IDS)
The Independent Driving Solutions grant helps pay for the extra costs of a vehicle specially adapted for disabled individuals who need to drive independently. This grant is designed for independent drivers who need to transfer inside the vehicle, drive while staying in their wheelchair, or need hi-tech controls in a standard car. The grant aims to fund what's essential to help make everyday journeys in the most affordable way possible. All applications are means tested to ensure the grant goes to people who are most in need of financial help. The grant covers the Advance Payment for a suitable independent driving solution including the cost of the vehicle and adaptations, minor adaptations during the lease if needs change, and driving lessons if needed. Recipients must be on the Motability Scheme and have either a provisional or full UK driving licence valid for at least 12 months. The grant is specifically for those who have no alternative but to drive themselves and find independent vehicle use essential for work, volunteering, education, caring for dependants, or in exceptional circumstances where everyday mobility depends on it.
Bespoke Passenger Solutions (BPS)
The Bespoke Passenger Solutions grant helps pay for the extra costs of a vehicle specially adapted for disabled passengers who need additional adaptations or facilities to travel in their vehicle. This grant provides changing facilities, including personal hoisting and privacy, inside a large Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV). The programme aims to fund what is essential to help make everyday journeys in the most affordable way possible. These large or very large wheelchair accessible vehicles include hoisting or personal care facilities with a large flat floor and tail lift to allow a wheelchair user to travel and remain seated as a passenger in their wheelchair. The vehicle has darkened rear windows and curtains between the passenger area and the front for privacy during personal care. All applications are means tested to ensure grants are provided to people who are most in need of financial help. Priority is given to disabled people who have a disability need for these extra adaptations, will find the use of this type of vehicle essential, and will make good usage of this solution.
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Grant
The Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Grant supports disabled people who need to travel while staying in their wheelchair. These are specially adapted vehicles that allow wheelchair users to travel safely without needing to transfer from their wheelchair. The grant is available to Motability Scheme customers or those applying to join the Scheme, covering essential costs to help make everyday journeys in the most affordable way possible. All applications are means tested to ensure grants go to people most in need of financial help. The grant may cover the Advance Payment for a suitable WAV, any essential adaptations needed for the vehicle, and minor adaptations during the lease if needs change. WAVs are produced by vehicle conversion specialists and have either lowered floor with ramped access or flat floor with tail lift, allowing wheelchair users to travel as passengers while remaining seated in their wheelchair, secured with a four-point manual tie-down system and personal seat belt.
Cars and Vehicle Adaptations Grant
The Motability Foundation provides financial support to disabled people who need assistance with the costs associated with vehicles and adaptations through the Motability Scheme. The grant helps cover advance payments for cars, vehicle adaptations such as hand controls, hoists, or swivel seats, and new adaptations needed during a lease if mobility needs change. All applications are means-tested to ensure grants go to those most in need of financial assistance. The Foundation aims to fund what is essential to help individuals make everyday journeys in the most affordable way possible, maximizing the impact of their resources. Applicants must be disabled persons or appointees on the Motability Scheme (or applying to join) and must not have ordered their vehicle before contacting the Foundation. If eligible applicants can contribute something toward the cost, they may be asked to do so. Grant recipients can have only one grant at a time, though they may apply again in the future if needs change or at the end of their lease period.
At a Glance
- Total Funding Opportunities
- 7
- Active Now
- 6
- Source Domain
- motabilityfoundation.org.uk
Catalog Data
This funder profile was automatically extracted from grant listings. Information may be incomplete.
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