Accessible Vehicles and Equipment Scheme evaluation - devolved disability benefits: research

6. Impact of the Scheme

Introduction

We explore the AVE Scheme’s impact on members in this chapter, based on feedback from members themselves and dealers who work with them.

Members' responses suggest the Scheme has had a strong positive impact on them and their families. As mentioned earlier, members who took part were diverse in terms of demographic and other characteristics, including the range of health conditions and disabilities reported. Further details on the profile of members who took part in interviews are provided in Chapter 1 and Appendix 3.

This chapter is structured into the following sections:

• Enhanced affordability of vehicles and equipment
• Improved mobility and independence
• Benefits for wellbeing and quality of life

Enhanced affordability

As noted in Chapter 5, the most common reason for using the Scheme was to access a vehicle or equipment that meets members’ needs more effectively or has a higher specification than what they would otherwise be able to afford without the Scheme.

Some interviewees said they could afford another vehicle or equipment, but it would not suit their needs so effectively. An alternative vehicle could be, for example, less comfortable for them, less reliable, more difficult to get in and out of, too small to transport all their family members, or lack the space to carry equipment like wheelchairs. Members described using the Scheme to access a larger car than they could otherwise afford, often with specific features such as back support, remote heating controls and an automatic gearbox to ensure the vehicle is comfortable and as easy as possible for them to use.

“We just wouldn't have been able to afford a car that suited my needs in any way other than the Motability Scheme. So certainly, without it, I'd be in a lot more discomfort, and my husband would probably be putting his back out getting me in and out of the car.” (Member)

“I don't think I would have been able to afford as good a car, as big a car, and the size of the car I've got is great for me - the height of it is good for getting in and out, I struggle to get in and out of smaller cars. So financially, I would have had to have looked at an alternative, but I don't think I would have the car that I've got now.” (Member)

A few reported they could have afforded the same or a similar vehicle, but there would have been a trade-off - they would have had to make cutbacks with other expenditures or use their savings.

“I don't think, as pensioners, I don't know that you're given many options in terms of loans and whatnot… So we'd have to have taken a big chunk out of our savings to have changed the car that we had.” (Member)

“The cost would have to come from somewhere. So I would have to cut a lot of different things out.” (Member)

Only one said they could have afforded the same or similar vehicle without the Scheme and without making any trade-offs.

A few dealers also mentioned affordability, as they reported some clients would have been unable to afford the upfront or maintenance costs of the vehicle or equipment they need without the Scheme.

“A lot of the people on the Scheme wouldn't be able to afford the product up front. So normally they just don't have the money for the product, but also the servicing and the ongoing maintenance costs is where they really do benefit.” (Dealer)

Improved mobility and independence

Using the Scheme to access a vehicle has improved members’ independence and mobility by making journeys easier.

Reduced reliance on public transport

Many members commented that using the Scheme had reduced their reliance on public transport, which can be uncomfortable, inconvenient, tiring, stressful, or impossible for some. The Scheme allows a less stressful way to travel than public transport.

“For us to go on public transport would be quite difficult, challenging. Whereas having the car, having that accessibility, it just gives us a lot of freedom and takes a lot of stress away.” (Member)

“With me, a big part of [public transport] is just the fatigue. [The Scheme] allows you to get to exactly where you need to be rather than having to go a circuitous route with the bus and things like that.” (Member)

A few highlighted that having their own vehicle helped them overcome mental and physical health issues that make public transport journeys difficult or impossible, including anxiety, agoraphobia and mobility problems.

“There's anxiety, and sometimes, it's just easier for [my son] to just slip into his car and drive, rather than having to face the noise and sensory stuff. It’s just his own little world when he's in his car.” (Member)

“[My son] has problems with eating. So you've got to take all the food and everything. He's got problems with the bowels, so you've got to take the pads. You've got to take a change of clothes. Getting a wheelchair on and off a bus is not the easiest... So if I didn't have a car, life would be pretty rubbish.” (Member)

Making journeys feasible that would otherwise be difficult or impossible

Accessing a vehicle or equipment through the Scheme makes it easier for members to travel, and this has many small positive impacts each day, which, overall, can make life less challenging. Interviewees shared examples of the Scheme making everyday journeys easier, like getting to work, the shops, school and medical appointments. In some cases, journeys previously impossible are now possible.

“A lot of my specialist appointments are either [in the city or further away]. It could be done with public transport but it would be a lot more difficult and involve a lot more time and make it more challenging for me to do it.” (Member)

For example, one member lives in a suburban area but needs to access the nearest city for their child’s hospital visits, and they mentioned having a car was a necessity. Before participating in the Scheme, they had considered moving to the city to be closer to the hospital, but housing costs made the move impossible. Access to a car through the Scheme allowed them to continue living in their home while being able to attend appointments.

Another parent told us their child did not attend school because of public transport difficulties, but accessing a vehicle through the Scheme now makes it possible to go to school. This is likely to have other, long-term benefits for the child and family.

“[My child] didn't go to school last year because he couldn't face getting on the bus in the morning.” (Member)

Safety and reliability

An important impact some members mentioned was their confidence in the vehicles and equipment provided by the Scheme. They are new and perceived as safer and more reliable than members’ previous vehicles or those they could afford otherwise.

“It’s had a huge impact on us, having the security that you know that you're driving your family around in a safe vehicle.” (Member)

“I was undergoing cancer treatment, and it happened to be in [the city]. Getting backwards and forwards to the hospital isn't that easy… So you certainly don't want to be in a vehicle that happens to break down on that kind of journey.” (Member)

“We would have had a second-hand car, which would have been unreliable and, based on past experience, meaning it breaking down and being unable to attend medical appointments or even being stuck on the roadside. So that would make me not want to even get in the car for the fear of that alone.” (Member)

A few members mentioned feeling comforted by the knowledge they could get to hospital in an emergency, and that their vehicle was less likely to break down.

“Even just the fact of knowing you have a safe, reliable car for medical emergencies puts your mind at ease. Which is a huge benefit when you have an overactive mind like mine.” (Member)

As discussed earlier, the provision of servicing and breakdown cover further reassures members any mechanical problems will be repaired at no cost, removing any worries about unexpected repair bills.

“If there's any problems with that vehicle, you know that you're covered.” (Member)

Dealers also acknowledged the quality of the car and the security of the service and maintenance package as providing reliability and reducing stress.

“It's amazing, it really is. It's a fantastic scheme, and the customers are delighted with it on the whole. They just know they've got the comfort of having a new car at their disposal whenever they need it. It's brilliant, and it's a life changer for some of our customers. Some of our customers can't go out.” – Dealer

“In comparison to buying something, that whole package that you get from Motability, they say it's peace of mind, it really is peace of mind.” - Dealer

Improved wellbeing and quality of life

As outlined above, the Scheme enhances members’ independence and mobility by making it easier to complete journeys. This helps with accessing essential appointments and undertaking everyday activities and tasks like getting to work, school and the shops.

This also enhances members’ wellbeing and quality of life by helping them access wider experiences and activities that improve their quality of life. These would be difficult or impossible without the vehicle or equipment provided by the Scheme.

The Scheme gives people a sense of freedom by allowing them to travel further than they could before. Members gave examples of travelling further for day trips, holidays, or visiting family members.

“It gives me a sense of freedom… I’m able to go places where I wasn’t able to go before… I got [my partner] to drive to a further away place, and I’ve hardly been out of [where I live] for a few years, so my circumstances mean that I'm restricted in where I can go… so it's been good for me.” (Member)

“When I got my diagnosis and knowing I wanted to go on holidays… wanting to make those family memories, while I've got time available to do that, I felt like walls were starting to close in on me a little bit and limitations were being put on my ability to do that… It just makes such a huge difference having this vehicle in our lives.” (Member)

The ability to continue with hobbies that otherwise would be impossible or difficult was also mentioned. These included going to the gym, taking nature photos, walking and camping.

“It encourages you to get out and do things, which is lovely. That's what, to me, the purpose of it is.” (Member)

Parents of CDP clients commented that access to a vehicle allowed them to take their children more easily to activities like social outings, kids clubs, and days out they might be unable to do without the Scheme.

“[The Scheme] makes a world of difference. It’s superb. I can take my son anywhere… he's right into cycling just now, so we were able to get a roof rack for the car so we can take him cycling because he can't cycle round about where we live because there's a main road so we have to take him safe places.” (Member)

Barriers that limit the achievement of positive outcomes

This research provides evidence that the short- and medium-term outcomes^[8] laid out in the logic model (Appendix 1) are being achieved, in general.

However, it has also confirmed the risk factors identified in the logic model. These act as barriers and limit the achievement of positive outcomes for members. Most notably, these are lack of awareness of the Scheme (discussed in Chapter 4), variable service standards among dealers (Chapter 5) and limited control for the Scheme around issues such as lead times, affordability of vehicles and equipment (Chapter 5) and the cost of living, which affects CDP and ADP clients’ ability to use some of their assistance for a vehicle or equipment (Chapter 7).

Despite these challenges, however, this Chapter has shown that using the Scheme has resulted in various significant positive outcomes for members.

Chapter summary

The Scheme has had a strong positive impact on members who took part in our research. It provides enhanced affordability of vehicles and equipment, improved mobility and independence, and benefits for wellbeing and quality of life. Accessing a vehicle or equipment through the Scheme makes it easier for members to make journeys, and this has many small positive impacts each day, which, overall, can make life less challenging and more fulfilling.