Resources

Taxi Subsidy

If you can no longer drive or have a restricted licence you may be eligible for Taxi Subsidy. This will allow you to travel in taxis at half the normal fare. Links provided are based on where I receive most enquires from and are in no way prejudicial to particular areas;

Queensland Transport

Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme - New South Wales

Multi Purpose Taxi Program - Victoria

Transport Access Scheme - Tasmania

South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme

Taxi Users Subsidy Scheme - Western Australia

If I have not listed the state here that you live in please contact your local council for details or Google for associated web pages.

Please note if you travel interstate you will need to request vouchers that can be used in a different state to maintain your subsidy.

Disability Parking Permit

If you are still driving but experiencing mobility problems you may be eligible for a Parking Permit to park in Disability Zoned parking areas. In Queensland the severity of your mobility determines the type of pass you receive: blue - if you are in a wheelchair, red - if you use other mobility devices to get around. Every state is different so please read the criteria carefully.

Disability Parking Permit Scheme - Queensland

Disability Parking Permits - New South Wales

Victoria Disabled Persons Parking

Disabled Persons Parking Schemes in Australia - Summary

Purchasing Mobility Products

I can only advise on Brisbane and other places where I have personally made purchases. If you can't find what you need on the internet, please refer questions to your local GP or Occupational Therapist who can point you in the right direction.

Think Mobility - very helpful, professional Northside shop. They sell everything from wheelchairs, crutches, shower stools etc

Independent Living and Mobility - located in Wooloongabba these guys also sell all the mobility aids.

Independent Living Centres Australia - ILC. Nationwide with offices in every state. ILC can help with everything from special cutlery, mobility devices etc.

Wicked Wheelchairs - Located in Brisbane, Dion has been custom making wheelchairs for a while. He is one nice guy and will also advise you on which wheelchairs are MASS applicable. He made my wheelchair and provides me with with tyres etc for it.

Award Prosthetics - located just outside of Vancouver Canada. I wanted to find foldable crutches similar to the folding canes that are available. I did alot of research on this and found one place in Sydney that was quite expensive. For half the cost I found this place. One phone call and a couple of emails and these crutches were custom made to my measurements and shipped to Australia. Very helpful, accomodating people. So if you are after foldable crutches, click on the link.

MASS - Medical Aid Subsidy Scheme

MASS is the Medical Aid Subsidy Scheme in Queensland. MASS provides subsidy for those with a recognised disability so they can remain independent in their own homes. This can be for a wheelchair, orthoses, other MASS approved devices etc.

For states other than Queensland, check with your local Independent Living Centre to access government subsidies in your state. Or talk to your GP or Occupational Therapist.

Patient Travel Subsidy

If you are travelling interstate for specialist FA treatment that is not available in your city or state and is more than 50km from your nearest hospital ,you may be entitled to a Travel Subsidy. Check the links below or with you local health department or hospital;

PTSS - Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme - Queensland

VPTAS - Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme

PATS - Patient Assistance Transport Scheme- South Australia

PATS - Patient Assistance Travel Scheme - Western Australia

Repairing Mobility Products

Again I can only advise where to go in Brisbane for this service. Think Mobility can help with minor modifications such as changing the stoppers on the bottom of your crutches, however for any thing more labour intensive; repair of the wheelchair, crutches fall apart, repair of your scooter etc, there is one place I stumbled accross which went out of their way to help me.

Mobile Independence - located on the Northside of Brisbane in Brendale, these guys have been operating for a long time and can really help. Email them or phone 07 3881 3868.

How FAN can assist.

We are only a small charity, but if you reside in Australia and you are having problems funding a mobility device that you need we may be able to help. All distribution of public funds for assistance needs to be verified and distributed accordingly by the laws that govern our operations, but please contact us if you you require assistance.We are here to try and make living with FA a little easier.

Disability Travel Sites

Just because you are a little wobbley, using crutches or in a wheelchair doesn't mean you have to stop travelling. This is a big passion of mine and nothing - not even FA is going to stop me from doing this. I travelled 3 months through South America with a cane, made it to Everest Base Camp on a cane and about to embark on some more international adventures using crutches. I recently met some guys who travelled through Vietnam in their wheelchairs - so if this is what you enjoy don't allow FA to ommit this from your life.

Accessible Journeys

Disability Travel & Recreation Resources - A great link to alot of disability travel operators.

DisabledTravelers.com - Again another great resource.

Accessible Europe - Great tips if travelling to Europe.

As I stumple across more sights I will add them here. If there is an operator you like travelling with then ask them if they will take you. Intrepid Holidays took me with the walking stick, so ask the question.

If there are some travel operators that you have used and would recommend, please email me so I can post the details here for all other travelling FAers.

Go back to the top