Do you have a disability and drive regularly? If you can answer yes to these questions then why not get involved in a very exciting trial for a ‘Sat Nav’ that is set to launch in 2012.

The trial which is set to take place in March will give you the opportunity to trial the device for 2 weeks. This exciting new device delivers more than a standard satellite navigation system. You can get information on blue badge parking bays, accessible toilets and even access information about venues close to your destination.

The trial will involve attending a briefing where the project content, aim and objectives will be outlined, a brief explanation on how to use the device and an introduction to the questionnaire to be answered during and after the trial. You will also need to attend a debriefing at the end of the trial where participants will be asked to feedback their experiences, exchange views with other participants and technical partners and help formulate conclusions and make recommendations.

At DisabledGo we are keen for our users to get involved in the trial, if you are interested and would like more information please contact Anna Borthwick, Head of Business Development and Marketing. E: anna.borthwick@disabledgo.com or call 01438 842710

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The online competition will run from 20 February-25 March.

The ‘Feel Different’ competition will encourage people to log on to 2by2 Holidays’ website (www.2by2holidays.co.uk) and tell the specialist how they want a holiday to make them feel. 2by2 Holidays will respond to each entry with a South African holiday recommendation.

For example, an entrant may say: “I want to feel… reconnected to my children again as my hectic work schedule means we don’t spend any quality time together.” 2by2 Holidays could suggest that the entrant reconnect with their children on safari in a malaria-free game reserve, ending the experience with some family-fun time at the activity-packed Sun City resort.

Each week, for five weeks, five finalists will be chosen based on the following criteria:

• Impact – how will the person entering be affected by the win?
• Creativity – how original is the idea?
• Quality of submission – how much thought and effort went into the submission?
• Number of online votes received – how did the online community respond to the submission?
• At the end of five weeks, a panel of judges will select from the 25 finalists and one lucky winner will win a South African holiday for two valued at £5,000.

Runner-up prizes include copies of Nelson Mandela’s book Long Walk to Freedom.

Remember the competition does not open until 20 February, but get your thinking caps on.

To enter the competition, log on to www.2by2holidays.co.uk after 20 February. 

To book a holiday to South Africa, log on to www.2by2holidays.co.uk or call 01582 766122.

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Think you could perform in front of an audience of millions of people from around the world? The search is on for volunteer performers for the Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Artistic Directors, Jenny Sealey, Bradley Hemmings and Kim Gavin are searching for 5000 volunteer performers to fill roles as general all-round performers. They are looking for both disabled and non-disabled applicants, previous experience is not required. London 2012 say: “we’re really looking for enthusiasm and commitment. Anyone with a positive attitude, huge amounts of energy and a willingness to perform in front of a stadium audience and to millions of people around the world can apply for an audition.” The only eligibility criteria they state is; you must be aged 18 years or older on 1 March 2012 and be able to meet the commitments of rehearsals.

Don’t Delay! The closing date for applications is 22 February 2012.

To find our more about how to apply for an audition and for full details on the commitments involved please click here

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Those who grew up reading the Just William books by Richmal Crompton, may recall William’s attitude to school reports. This verged on dread, especially in relation to the reaction of his parents on reading the report, with the very real threat of extra tuition during the school holidays. In one story the report became the material for a paper trail to recover a lost Aunt in the woods. Many of us have carried that feeling of apprehension through our lives when receiving the results of any examination, test or assessment.

So it was with a mixture of interest, anticipation, and curiosity that I approached the Fiat eco:Drive system.

The test

Fiat maintain that eco-driving can reduce CO2 emissions by helping people use less fuel. The eco:Drive system monitors your driving habits so you can understand  the impact of your driving style on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

So how does it work? Step one requires you to download the application on to your computer from fiat.com/ecodrive, then plug a USB stick into the USB socket in your Fiat Blue&Me in-car infotainment system. Drive in your normal way for a few days and the system records your acceleration, gear changes, speed, journey times, deceleration, etc. It will record individual journey data and give an overall result. You then plug the USB into your computer which analyses the data. It then makes recommendations on improving your efficiency and offers you tutorials in your weak areas. Fiat suggest that your fuel consumption can be reduced by up to 15%. Many large fleet operators have adopted the technology.

The vehicle

I tested the system using a 2011 model Doblo with 1.6 Multijet diesel engine, using a Dualogic five-speed semi-automatic transmission. I enjoyed the high upright driving position which allows good visibility and ease of access. It was enjoyable to drive, with light steering, which helps with parking, but it did take me a while to acclimatise myself to the size of the vehicle. Five can travel in comfort, or seven if you choose the Family model. If you fold down the rear seats you have enough space to start your own removal business!

My Results

• My overall Eco index score was 53/100 (it’s a pass – just!)
• My projected CO2 savings if I got 100/100 would be 25kg and my pojected fuel saving would be £13.07.
• I made 13 journeys which equalled 186.5 miles
• Average fuel cost £24.01
• Average fuel consumption 49.5mpg
• Acceleration 2.5/5 Not bad, but could do better
• Deceleration 4/5 Pretty good
• Speed 5/5 Very impressive
• Gear change 2/5 wasting fuel and you need to take the tutorial. Which I did and it was useful. (I find this result puzzling as I drove the whole test in automatic mode.)

I was impressed by the data shown on how much fuel was saved by the stop start technology (0.33 p over the test period) – although I wished someone had told me this technology was used on this vehicle before I drove it for the first time! I thought I’d stalled the car when I stopped at some traffic lights for the first time.

The summary:

Is it worth it? I was initially very conscious of the “spy in the car” and adapted my driving style accordingly so I suspect that meant that the objective was achieved merely by suggestion. I will also admit to making some journeys where I did not insert the USB, mostly because I had an issue with the software in the vehicle.  The visual display on the dashboard, informing me eco:Drive was on, only appeared intermittently, so I was not confident data was being recorded. It was, and frustration crept in.  At the end of the test period I was thinking “Life’s too short for this”. The main attraction, I would guess would be in setting a bench mark that you hope to improve on by imposing your own objectives. One late appointment or a traffic hold up however could destroy all your good intentions.

Finally I wonder if just by following Fiat’s top 10 tips, for more efficient driving, you would achieve the same results:

• Avoid road rage – sharp breaking and accelerating burn fuel
• Keep a steady pace – a moderate and steady speed is the most efficient way to drive;
• Plan ahead – map out your route, check traffic reports for hold ups, avoid peak times and combine errands to avoid make a number of short trips;
• Correct tyre pressures – check regularly;
• Regular maintenance – a regularly maintained car is an efficient car
• Lose weight – the lighter the car the greater the efficiency. Avoid roof loads.
• Avoid the rain – driving on wet roads causes rolling resistance;
• Windows – keep windows shut, open windows cause drag above 30 mph;
• Electrics – using air conditioning increases fuel consumption;
• Technology – use your trip computer to monitor fuel consumption.

Want to have a go?

If you drive a FIAT with Blue&Me system fitted and want to try eco-driving then visit www.fiat.com/ecodrive for more information. You can also review the results of the Europe- wide test, which tells you that people in the UK are the best eco-drivers, German drivers accelerate too forcefully, French drivers accelerate most smoothly, Italian drivers have the most trouble with keeping to an average speed, and Spanish drivers were the worst eco-drivers but did improve.

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The competition is exclusively for their Facebook supporters so  if you would like to experience the thrill of flight in a customised aircraft with our partners, Aerobility, simply head to their Facebook wall (www.facebook.com/gowringsmobility) & *LIKE* our competition post before midnight Sun 22nd January. The winner will be announced on their Facebook wall next Tuesday 23 Jan. Terms & conditions apply. For more information about our event head here >> http://www.gowringsmobility.co.uk/latest-news/news.asp?intNewsid=418

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They say that at this stage in the development process they do not envisage making significant changes to the broad principles or scope of the assessment and so are not seeking views on these.

The Department is keen to hear views from all interested parties but in particular from disabled people and disability organisations.

How to respond to this consultation

Start date 16 January 2012
End date 30 April 2012

You can respond by email and post to:

Email: pip.assessment@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

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They also plans to stop the majority of its rental and Motability sales to improve profitability. Such sales are hugely subsidised, so instead it plans to focus on retail and core fleet business where it has to discount  less. As part of the changes, Renault UK forecasts a significant reduction in sales in 2012, and 2013 levels will only be on par with 2011.

 The following models will no longer be available in the UK from February 2012:

• Kangoo (the car version, not the van)
• Wind Roadster
• Modus
• Grand Modus
• Laguna Hatch
• Laguna Sport Tourer
• Laguna Coupe
• Espace
• Grand Espace

That leaves just the Clio, Twingo, Megane and Scenic ranges on sale.  All the axed models are currently unprofitable in the UK, and a decision will be made within the next four months on whether the next generation Laguna will even be engineered for right-hand drive.

But Renault has a few tricks up its sleeve and will launch an array of new models – and the new Dacia budget brand – in the UK in 2012 to broaden the range.

We at Disabled Motoring UK have asked Motability if they have concerns over the changes to Renault, Motability said: “Occasionally individual manufacturers change their approach to the UK market, and this can mean that their ability to supply cars at competitive prices is affected.  However, Motability enjoys strong relationships with a very wide range of car manufacturers and the impact that one manufacturer has is relatively limited.

For those customers who presently are in a Renault, Motability has worked hard with Renault to ensure that the pricing remains as competitive as possible with the Clio at Nil AP, Megane at £580 AP and Scenic at £495 AP.  However, regrettably Renault have decided that going forward they won’t offer a number of models in the UK market including the Kangoo, Modus, Grand Modus and Laguna models. 

Here we will be pleased to help customers with any information that they need to choose an alternative car when they reach the end of the lease.  For WAV customers who are affected by the withdrawal by Renault of Kangoo from theUK, we continue to have 29 similar small WAVs available, including the Peugeot Partner, Citroen Berlingo and Fiat Qubo, all available from £695 AP.”

Motability can be contacted by calling 0845 456 4566, or click here to visit their website

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The car parks that are participating are Abingdon, Chinatown, Park Lane, Queensway, Soho, Trafalgar, Reading, Liverpool and Croydon. To receive the discount please type in the promotional code which Disabled Motoring UK  will provide to any member by phone 01508 489449 or email enquiries@disabledmotoring.org.

We hope this discount will help members especially in the West End of London where it is very difficult to park.

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2. Contact Us

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