News & Features
The Challenge of Eco Living
Posted in General News on Monday, June 9th, 2025
Following World Environment Day on June 5th, we share our article exploring some of the challenges of sustainable living for disabled people.
The Challenges
Sustainable or eco-friendly living can be particularly difficult for disabled people. Firstly, many of us need to rely on our own car for transportation as opposed to using public transport or walking. This can be one of the reasons why our carbon footprint can be larger than that of non-disabled people. Many of us also order our weekly or monthly shop online rather than visiting the supermarket which can lead to more plastic waste. In addition to transport, one of the biggest barriers for disabled people trying to live more sustainably now is the fact that electric vehicles EVs are not viable for disabled people due to poor infrastructure and a lack of accessible charge points.
For those living on a budget buying organic and ecologically sourced food products can be out of the question. While low income isn’t solely or directly linked to having a disability, a higher proportion of disabled people are on a low income as some may have to rely entirely on their benefits for income. The disability charity, Scope estimates that disabled households require an extra £975 per month to maintain the same standard of living as non-disabled households. One way some people try to live sustainably is through being self-sufficient by gardening, growing your own food, and composting. However, this can come with extra challenges for people with disabilities due to mobility issues or not being able to take a trip outside the house without support, to buy resources.
Some Possible Solutions
Some of the issues highlighted above require action on a national scale such as ensuring that pavements, pathways and public transport are accessible and making sure that the electric vehicle infrastructure is improved for disabled motorists. However, we can still recycle where possible, monitor our energy consumption and turn appliances off at the plug when they are not in use. For those who are so inclined, there are also various products on the market designed to make gardening more accessible for disabled people. One example of this is the EasiGrip range of tools which make it easier for those with dexterity impairments, as well as those who are gardening from a seated position. There are several other products too such as wheeled plant pot trollies and adjustable kneelers all of which are available online at www.abilitysuperstore.com along with various other independent mobility products.
When it comes to reusable products and health and lifestyle products that have been made using sustainable materials the Disability Health Shop is what you are looking for. This shop features products ranging from sustainably made transfer boards for disabled people to reusable straws and cutlery made from recycled materials.
DMUK continues to work tirelessly to help ensure that electric vehicles are viable for disabled motorists. As you may know the first car park with accessible charging facilities has received our Park Access EV accreditation. This is Park Street car Park in Cambridge. We hope that more local authorities and parking providers will follow this example so we can help to ensure a future of greener travel for disabled people. If you would like to find an accredited car park you can do this by visiting www.disabledmotoring.org/park-access/find-a-park-access-car-park.
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Edmund Hobby
Tuesday, June, 17th, 2025
My Wife and I are 'lucky' in that we both receive DLA mobility at the higher level. Mine goes to Motability for a car and She uses hers for a power chair. Although we do get a bus its not that frequent. I had to attend the District Hospital and was told not to use the car as my eyes would have drops. Public transport would have meant three changes and although I have a travel scooter I was told it was up to the driver. I had to pay £45 for a car to take me. My Wife is also a Coeliac and I do the weekly shop on Monday early. That way I can get a disabled space. We cant rely on deliveries to ensure the food does not contain wheat or gluten. Due to the fact the gluten free bread is not that nice I buy Warburtens Gluten Free rolls for my Wife at usually £2.75 for four. I use Warburtens brown rolls that I pay £3 for three packs of six. Growing our own is out of the question as my Wife has Lupus and I have damaged spine. As to electric vehicles I have no idea where locally there is a charging pint for an EV. My Motability car will be due for replacement i a little over a year and if I am allowed to continue driving might consider an EV as my driving distances is becoming a difficulty. As to aids, well, I have considered them but not actually bought much except a tool for unscrewing bottle tops, another for opening ring pulls type tins as I can manage at the moment with most of the kitchen etc needs we have little else at the present time. Being disabled is expensive and most people just do not understand. But on a less pleasant subject, I carry a 'I just cant wait card,' which has proved invaluable in times of need and I have to say even where premises do not have toilets for public access, I have never been refused. If the cards are still available they are free on apllication. We both have Radar keys as well.