East Anglian DriveAbility

10/11/2025

🚗 Adaptations that change lives

From steering spinners that allow drivers to steer with one hand, to hand controls and a left foot accelerator, there are various vehicle adaptations that help people stay mobile, independent, and connected to their community.

At East Anglian DriveAbility, our occupational therapists and driving instructors assess your needs and recommend the right adaptations to keep you safe and confident on the road.
After having a stroke, Lloyd came to East Anglian DriveAbility for a driving assessment.

💬 “I’ve always been a confident driver and didn’t feel anything other than my hand would hold me back. They assessed me perfectly and made the right choice with the steering spinner. The assessors took their time and were calm, explaining everything properly and did an amazing job.”

💛 Find out more about driving assessments and car adaptations:

👉Call 01787 22873 or visit our website: www.eastangliandriveability.org.uk

06/11/2025

💜 It’s Occupational Therapy Week!

This week, we’re celebrating our amazing Occupational Therapists (OTs) at East Anglian DriveAbility, who play a vital role in helping people retain their mobility and independence every day.

Our OTs are at the heart of what we do, supporting clients in a variety of ways, such as:
👉 Assessment expertise – They assess physical, cognitive, and visual abilities to help determine fitness to drive and ensure safety behind the wheel.

👉 Finding solutions – From vehicle adaptations and driving aids to alternative mobility options, OTs identify practical solutions tailored to each person’s needs.

👉 Personalised support – Every assessment is unique, ensuring clients receive guidance that promotes safe and independent mobility for as long as possible.

Working closely with our driving instructors, our OTs provide expert advice that helps people continue to live independently with confidence.

🙌 A huge thank you to all our amazing OTs at EAD for the difference you make every day and to Occupational Therapists everywhere this !

29/10/2025

💜 World Stroke Day — Regaining Independence After a Stroke

Every day in the UK, 240 people experience a stroke. While the effects can be life-changing, recovery is possible and regaining independence is a huge part of that journey.

At East Anglian DriveAbility, we help stroke survivors rebuild confidence and stay mobile through:

🚗 Driving assessments – assessing safe driving and identifying adaptations like hand controls or steering spinners.
🚙 Car access assessments – helping you get in and out of your vehicle safely and comfortably, recommending practical solutions like seating aids, posture support, or wheelchair loading options.
🛵 Mobility scooter assessments – impartial advice on the right scooter, and provide training to build confidence and independence.

Two years ago, Kim had a stroke that left her with limited movement in her left arm and hand. Determined to stay independent, she found EAD online and came for a driving assessment.

“I really wanted to drive again and get some independence back… The assessors were understanding and very patient. They reassured me, which gave me confidence.”

With support and a steering spinner, an adaptation on the steering wheel that enables steering with one hand, Kim passed her assessment and was able to return to driving.

We’re here to help to support Stroke survivors, whether that’s returning to driving or finding new ways to stay mobile. Contact our friendly team today to find out more:

📞 01787 222 873
📧 mail@eastangliandriveability.org.uk

28/10/2025

Now that the clocks have gone back, the nights will be darker earlier.

Take some of our top tips to

Drivers
• Ensure you can see clearly out of your windscreen
• Make sure all lights are working, and mirrors are clean
• Use headlights whenever visibility is reduced especially when dark and raining
• Check the condition of wipers and washers
• Take extra care to look out for pedestrians, children and two-wheel vehicles.



For more advice, click on the link in comments below.

22/10/2025

Ken’s Journey: Back on the Road After a Stroke 🚗

After suffering a stroke in 2023, leaving him with vision loss, Ken had his license revoked by DVLA. This had a huge impact on his daily life.

Determined to regain his independence, Ken found East Anglian DriveAbility online. With support from our assessors, he completed an initial assessment and after some training with a driving instructor to rebuild his confidence, Ken was able to have a driving assessment.
"I am very pleased to report that I received my full driving licence for a further three years… The help you and your team have given me has been exceptional, and without your assistance, I would never have had the chance to get my life back on track. The whole experience with you has been amazing. I have learned so much from your guidance and advice and if ever I have to go through this again I would not hesitate to contact you again.”

Thank you so much for sharing your experience Ken and a big congratulations on your return to driving! 🎉

If you or a loved one are facing similar challenges, we’re here to help. Our driving assessments evaluate fitness to drive and explore adaptations to keep you driving safely. Get in touch with us today:

📞 01787 222873
📧 mail@eastangliandriveability.org.uk

16/10/2025

💛 Supporting a Loved One After a Dementia Diagnosis

Hearing the word dementia can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to mean losing independence overnight.

If someone you love has recently been diagnosed, here are a few steps to help keep them safe, supported and independent:

🚗 Talk about driving early. Honest conversations help everyone plan ahead without fear or pressure.

👉 Book a driving assessment. Dementia can affect driving skills gradually over time. An assessment checks current ability and helps identify the right time to retire from driving, safely and confidently.

🤝 Involve them in decisions. Independence isn’t just about driving but also about feeling in control.

At East Anglian DriveAbility, we’re accredited by driving mobility to provide professional driving assessments. Our friendly team of occupational therapists and driving instructors will assess cognitive, physical, visual and in-car abilities to give clear advice and provide a written report for the DVLA. We also offer 6 monthly reassessments to monitor drivers living with dementia.
When it’s time to retire we will help explore alternatives to keep some independence.

To refer someone or get advice on next steps, call our friendly team today.
📞 01787 222 873
📧 mail@eastangliandriveability.org.uk

08/10/2025

🚗 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles: What You Need to Know 🧑‍🦽

Thinking about getting a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV)? We’re here to help you find the right adaptations for you.

At East Anglian DriveAbility, our clinical driving assessments are designed to help people with medical conditions or disabilities stay safe and independent.

We have a range of wheelchair accessible and adapted vehicles, so you can see what adaptations support you best, whether that’s hand controls, transfer equipment, steering aids, or specialist seating.

During your assessment, you can expect:
✔ A chat about your medical history and driving needs
✔ An off-road check of your physical and cognitive abilities
✔ (Where appropriate) a drive in one of our dual-controlled or adapted vehicles
✔ A detailed written report with personalised recommendations

Our friendly and supportive team are here to help you feel safe, confident, and independent on the road.

📞 01787 222873 | 📧 mail@eastangliandriveability.org.uk

07/10/2025

Working with Essex Police to ensure medical fitness to drive is a small but important part of our work here at EAD to keep people driving safely for longer.

Driving plays a vital role in enabling older adults to stay connected with their communities, access essential services, and retain their independence.

However, age-related changes in vision, reaction time, and cognitive function can present challenges on the road. Addressing these concerns through targeted road safety measures not only supports elderly drivers but also contributes to safer roads for all.

Our Roads Policing Unit works with professionals at East Anglian DriveAbility to offer Fitness to Drive assessments, an alternative to court with the aim to reduce collisions by improving their standard of driving, keeping them driving for longer and safely.

Read more by clicking on the link in comments below.

06/10/2025

It's World Cerebral Palsy Day 2025 ! Did you know Children with Cerebral Palsy can use our Bugzi? Bugzi is available FREE to families to loan. To find our more click https://www.merushop.org/bugzi/

06/10/2025

💚 Today we’re supporting World Cerebral Palsy Day!

At East Anglian DriveAbility, we’re proud to support people with cerebral palsy to stay independent and mobile. 🚗

With the right adaptations, from hand controls to specialist seating, driving can be safe, comfortable, and a key to independence.
Our expert team of occupational therapists and driving instructors provide supportive assessments to explore safe driving options, build confidence, and help you gain independent mobility.

If you have questions about driving with cerebral palsy or want to explore your options, our friendly team is here to help:

📞 01787 222873 | 💻 mail@eastangliandriveability.org.uk

Today, October 6, is World Cerebral Palsy Day! 🌎

is about recognition, inclusion, and action for the 50 million people worldwide that live with cerebral palsy. It’s a day to celebrate the achievements of the CP community, challenge barriers, and push for a more accessible, inclusive world.

Cerebral palsy is the most common lifelong physical disability, affecting a person's ability to walk, move, or communicate. It is caused by an injury to the developing brain, but every individual’s experience with cerebral palsy is unique. Every story is different, but our community stands together — .

Share your story and tag us is your posts/stories so we can show how diverse and expansive our community really is!

04/10/2025

🚗 Driving with Parkinson’s: What You Need to Know

Living with Parkinson’s doesn’t have to mean giving up your independence.
In the UK, around 153,000 people live with Parkinson’s, and many continue driving safely with the right support and adaptations.

✅ You must inform the DVLA after a diagnosis, but this doesn’t always mean you’ll have to stop driving.
✅ A Driving Assessment can check your safety on the road, explore suitable adaptations, and give you and your family confidence about your driving future.

Our team of occupational therapists and driving instructors can:
🔹 Assess your physical, visual, and cognitive skills
🔹 Recommend adaptations and strategies
🔹 Provide reports for the DVLA

If you’re considering alternatives, we also offer mobility scooter assessments and car access assessments.

Learn more at www.eastangliandriveability.org.uk
📞 01787 222873 | 💻 mail@eastangliandriveability.org.uk

24/09/2025

🗣️ Your Voice Matters!

Have you had an assessment with us recently, whether for driving, mobility scooters, or access support? We’d love to hear from you!

💬 Your feedback not only helps us improve our services, but also inspires others to take that step towards staying safe, confident, and independent on the road.

👉 Fill out our quick survey here: https://forms.gle/87476D1z8FWyDnJZ7

Thank you for helping us spread the word and support more people to stay safe and independent.