Help is available to make travel cheaper for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). There are services that can help anyone with a disability to move around Dorset more independently.
You may be able to get:
Most children and young people get to school with their parents or carers, or on their own if they're older. This may not be possible for some people with special educational needs or disability (SEND) because:
We can support travel arrangements for these children and young people. Find out how we can provide travel assistance for young people over 16 years.
We can help you go to the nearest suitable school by providing:
You may be able to get a bus pass. A bus pass gives you free bus travel in Dorset. You can use the bus pass:
If you're blind or partially sighted you can get free travel throughout the week.
Find out if you can get a bus pass.
If you need to travel during peak time and you're in college or further education you may be able to get a student bus pass. A student bus pass will make your travel cheaper. Contact a Dorset bus operator to find out what your options are.
Community transport services can help you if you have trouble getting around or you don't want to use public transport.
There's a range of community transport schemes available to people with a disability, such as Dial-a-bus and NeighbourCar schemes around Dorset. These include:
Your child may qualify for a disabled person's rail card.
This railcard can get you a third off rail travel throughout the country.
There are opportunities for people with SEND to get started or join a group:
You can find advice, support and schools offering lessons for people with a disability if you want to learn to drive:
Find more information about learning to drive from GOV.UK.
You can get help with the cost of learning to drive and keeping a car on the road. To help with costs you may be able to get:
You can apply for a Blue Badge to help them park closer to their destination, either as a driver or a passenger. You can also display a Blue Badge in a car where you're a passenger.
You can apply on behalf of your child. There's no age limit and they don't need to be able to drive.
You can get white lines for a disabled parking space near your home.
Contact your local taxi service to find out if they can support your needs.
If you have an assistance dog, the taxi or minicab must allow your dog in their vehicle. They can only say no if they have an exemption certificate. This is a yellow 'notice of exemption' notice displayed on their windscreen.
Search for accessible taxis that are suitable for wheelchairs.
Find accessible taxis that will take wheelchairs on Our Dorset website.
You may be able to get a wheelchair from the Dorset Wheelchair Service (NHS) if you:
Your doctor or another health professional can refer you to the service. You will then get assessed to see if your eligible. After this they will decide and will give you any equipment they think you need.
If you do not want an NHS wheelchair you can have a voucher instead. You can then use this to buy any wheelchair.
The service can also support with posture and repair NHS wheelchairs.
Find out about wheelchairs, scooters and walking aids from the NHS.
If you get a mobility allowance, you could lease a mobility vehicle from Motability. This includes a scooter, powered wheelchair or a car. To do so you must be getting one of the following:
