TRANSPORT

What is it?
PTSS, previously known as the Taxi User Subsidy Scheme, provides taxi travel at a reduced rate for people who have a severe and permanent disability that will always prevent them using conventional public transport services. Members of this scheme are provided with a membership card and vouchers to claim their subsidy.

Are you eligible?
You are eligible if:

• You are a permanent resident of Western Australia, and

• You have a severe and permanent disability that will always prevent you using conventional public transport, such as a bus service.

How do you apply?
Apply or view more information at: www.transport.wa.gov.au/on-demandtransport/passenger-transport-subsidy-scheme-ptss.asp

What is it?
An allowance provided to aid people who are older than 16 years and travel to do an approved activity but cannot use public transport due to illness, disability or injury. This allowance can only be granted if you do not have an NDIS or WA NDIS plan.

Are you eligible?
You are eligible for the Mobility Allowance if:

• You can provide a medical report from your doctor confirming you cannot use public transport, and

• You are travelling to do an approved activity. Depending on your circumstances and what activity you are involved in, you may be eligible for the Standard or Higher Rate.

You may be eligible for the standard fortnightly rate of $109.30 Mobility Allowance if you:

• Do paid or voluntary work, are self-employed, undertake vocational training or independent living or life skills training, or any combination of these for at least 32 hours every 4 weeks on a continuing basis, or

• You are looking for work under an agreement with an Employment Services Provider such as Disability Employment Services, or JobActive, or

• You are participating in a Disability Management Service program with a Disability Employment Services provider, or

• You are seeking work and receiving Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance as a job seeker, and meeting the Mutual Obligation Requirements (conditions for continued payment), or

• You are a student, apprentice or trainee receiving Austudy.

You may be eligible for the higher fortnightly rate of $152.80 Mobility Allowance if you:

• Get a Disability Support Pension, Parenting Payment, Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance as a job seeker, and you work for 15 hours or more a week on wages that are at, or above, the relevant minimum wage, or

• You work for 15 hours or more a week on productivity based wages under the Supported Wage System, or

• You are seeking work for 15 hours or more a week through an Employment Services Provider such as Disability Employment Services, or JobActive.

How do you apply?
Applications must be made through your Centrelink account: Mobility Allowance – Services Australia

What is it?
Entitles holder to use ACROD parking bays including on-street parking, in shopping centres, hospitals, libraries and schools.​

Are you eligible?
You are eligible for a disability parking permit (ACROD permit) if:

• You are unable to walk and always require the use of a wheelchair, or

• Your ability to walk is severely restricted by a permanent medical condition or disability.

How do you apply?
Apply or view more information at: www.acrod.org.au

How does having a neuromuscular condition affect the ability to hold a Vehicle License?
An individual with a medical condition is required to report their medical condition to the Department of Transport (DoT) when they are diagnosed or, if they have not previously had a vehicle license, when they apply for their Learners permit. Updates are required whenever there is a change to your condition or treatment. Once the DoT has assessed your report of a medical condition, you will be contacted and informed of the required action you must take so that your license can be appropriately issued or altered. You will likely be required to undertake and pass a medical assessment and/or pass a practical driving assessment.

An individual with a serious disability may not be able to operate a standard vehicle. However, standard production vehicles can be specially modified to enable the disabled person to drive the vehicle safely. Alternatively, sometimes new vehicles can be bought that do not require any modifications, although these may need to be imported.

What is in place to help?
Indigo performs Occupational Therapy Driver Assessments, which are comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation services for people with medical conditions which affect their ability to drive. These assessments may be performed to determine fitness to drivers or driving readiness in the case of novice drivers. To access this service it is necessary to have a referral from a health professional.

Where can you find more information?
To find out more information about reporting a medical condition to the DoT visit: transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/report-a-medical-condition.asp

To find out more information about vehicles for people with disabilities visit: transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/modify-a-vehicle-for-special-needs.asp

To find out more information about Occupation Therapy Driver Assessments, visit: indigosolutions.org.au

What is it?
Wheels for Hope provides assistance to WA families with disabilities who do not have the transport needed to access critical medical and remedial services, education and community activities and social events.

It loans wheelchair hoist vans to eligible families for 12 month terms, and during this time the organisation will insure, license, service and maintain the vehicles.

Are you eligible?
Assistance can be provided to individuals living within 800km of the Perth GPO.

The applicant must be a person with a permanent disability and/or impairment relating to and intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory or physical impairment.

The disability/impairment must have resulted in a reduced capacity or one of the following: (1) communication (2) social interaction (3) learning or (4) mobility.

This disability and impairment must meet with the Eligibility Policy for the Special Disability Services Funded or Provided by the Disabilities Services Commission (2010).

Eligible persons must not have access to a suitable vehicle and cannot afford this vehicle.

Where can you find more information?
Apply or view more information at: www.wheelsforhope.org.au

What is it?

Wheels2Go is a specialised 24/7 roadside assistance program for RAC members who use mobility devices such as manual or electric wheelchairs.

For assistance, call 13 11 11 and the RAC Patrol will either:

• Repair your mobility device by replacing a tire or battery (if you have a spare one available), assisting repair a puncture, or

• Arrange a taxi for you

A Wheels2Go membership entitles you to five (5) taxi trips valued up to $55 per trip, to a total of no more than $275 for the membership year.

How do you apply?

A Wheels2Go membership fee is $48 per year. To join the program visit your local RAC member service centre, or call 13 17 03.

To find more information visit: rac.com.au/car-motoring/roadside-assistance/wheels2go