Beep-beep: the L plates are off! Huge congratulations to Disability Action’s star pupils, Imogen and Ria, for recently passing their driving tests.
Disability Action is the main provider of driving lessons for disabled people in Northern Ireland and received a Reducing Barriers to Driving Grant from us in 2023. When we visited earlier this summer, the Mobility Centre Manager Angela Hutchison explained that our grant-funding, means they now have more driving instructors and more learners on the roads: “This March and April, we completed 246 lessons, which is almost what we completed in a whole year, previously,” says Angela.
We spoke to new driver Imogen about the impact of being able to make the journeys she chooses.
Congratulations on getting your licence, Imogen! How did you travel before learning to drive?
I relied on public transport and taxis, which was expensive as I visit at lot of GPs and hospitals. I also relied on other people's generosity for lifts but felt guilty taking time from their day. I have severe psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia, so it's not always possible for me to walk, or even stand up and sit down frequently, like you would on a bus or train. This made me feel isolated at home, unable to go where I needed or wanted. I would carefully consider every journey, from routes to who I needed to bring, to what aids I would require. Sometimes the journey wasn’t worth the physical, mental and emotional toll. Driving has changed everything; it has given me a freedom I never thought possible.
How did it feel to pass your test?
To be honest, I had two attempts. Suffering from severe anxiety means sometimes fear gets the better of you. However, with my instructor’s support, I took a second test a week later. When we pulled back up to the test centre and my examiner said I passed, I burst into tears! I rarely feel such pride in my accomplishments, but that day I could have burst. I finally accomplished something I’d told myself I never would.
What makes a good driving instructor?
Brendan, my instructor was amazing, he was like a friend. I've had other instructors tell me they 'weren't comfortable' teaching me how to drive, but Brendan had faith from day one. There was no dancing around my disabilities. He has his own Driving School, where he teaches non-disabled people, but he took the position with Disability Action to help more people like me get on the road. I think that was the best decision he ever made.
With demand high, how would you encourage more driving instructors to take on students with disabilities?
I would say: no matter what someone may physically suffer from, they are capable. You don't need to be 'comfortable' with disabilities, you just need to be open to teaching people as they are: individuals who come to you, asking for your expertise. I strongly believe whatever your ailments, you should be able to, at least, try to do things non-disabled people take for granted.
What type of journeys will you be making now?
At the moment, my journeys are mostly medical. But, making them of my own accord, is wonderful. I can now take my daughter to clubs, visit family and make small journeys to shops, cafes and parks. My goal is to take my daughter on a small road trip, up and down the coast, dropping in to see my dad who lives near Dublin. I am now just one short drive away from being wherever I want to be.
