New for 2018, disabled visitors to the Motability Scheme’s flagship event, The Big Event can experience what it’s like to travel in a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV). The event also showcases the UK’s largest display of WAVs, adaptations, cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs, and is taking place at the NEC in Birmingham on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 July.
The new WAV taster experiences are designed for those considering a WAV for the first time, and are the perfect opportunity to experience what it’s like to travel in a WAV while remaining in your wheelchair. A range of passenger WAVs, which can be leased through the Motability Scheme, will be available to experience on-the-road, alongside a professional driving instructor to give visitors a feel of what it’s like before booking a home demonstration. These WAV experiences can be booked at the event each day by visiting the test drive area and will be available on a first come first served basis.
Alison Beasley, event manager, said:
‘We are excited to broaden the guest experience with more opportunities available at our flagship event in Birmingham. Our visitors are at the forefront of the One Big Day events and we’re always looking to add new, useful and informative elements. We hope the new passenger WAV taster experience will help visitors decide whether a WAV could be the right solution for them.”
The event also offers extensive test drive options in a wide range of standard vehicles including some fitted with popular driving adaptations. Visitors can try adaptations such as push-pull hand controls, which make braking and acceleration possible for people with limited mobility; electronic trigger accelerators, which allow users to control the throttle using a trigger as part of hand controls, and transfer plates, designed for an easier transfer between a wheelchair and the vehicle’s seat.
The Big Event is the Motability Scheme’s flagship event, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 July, 9am-4pm.
Find out more about The Big Event online at motability.co.uk/thebigevent
Full programme of 2018 One Big Day events:
The Big Event, NEC, Birmingham: Friday 6 and Saturday 7 July 2018, 9am-4pm
One Big Day, Westpoint, Exeter: Saturday 28 July 2018, 9am-4pm
One Big Day, Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate: Saturday 11 August 2018, 9am-4pm
One Big Day, East of England Arena, Peterborough: Saturday 8 September 2018, 9am-4pm
For more information on leasing a car, scooter or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme, visit motability.co.uk or call 0800 953 7000.
About the Motability Scheme:
The Motability Scheme is the UK’s leading car scheme for disabled people. It provides affordable, convenient, worry-free motoring to over 600,000 disabled customers and their families. Scooters and powered wheelchairs can also be leased through the Motability Scheme.
The Scheme is available to anyone who receives the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or the Armed Forces Independence Payment. Customers transfer their mobility allowance to Motability Operations Ltd to lease a car, scooter or powered wheelchair.
When leasing a Motability Scheme car, insurance for two named drivers, servicing and maintenance, full RAC breakdown assistance, tyre and windscreen replacement and 60,000 mileage allowance over three years are all included in the cost of the lease. A range of popular car adaptations are also available at no additional cost.
When leasing a scooter or powered wheelchair, insurance, breakdown assistance, servicing, maintenance and repairs and tyre and battery replacement are all included in the cost of the lease. Pricing is standard nationwide.
A wide range of ‘green’ vehicles with emissions of 100g of CO2 per km or less are available through the Scheme.
