Alex Cowan has been on the Motability Scheme for more than 30 years. Today she drives a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, often called a WAV.
For her, her vehicle represents something simple but powerful. It means she can continue living her life on her terms.
When your needs change, your vehicle needs to change too
Alex did not always drive a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV). For many years she drove a standard car fitted with hand controls. At that time, it gave her the freedom she needed.
As her condition progressed, getting in and out of the driver’s seat became harder. Journeys took more effort. Simple outings required more planning.
“If there was not a scheme that moved with my changing condition, it would have been really difficult,” she says.
Moving from an adapted car to a WAV removed that strain. She no longer has to transfer in and out of her seat. She can stay in her wheelchair and travel safely and comfortably. That change was not dramatic. It was practical. But it made everyday life smoother.
As her needs changed, the Motability Scheme changed with her.
Her husband, Lel, talks about what that has meant over the years.
“You can just carry on living your life,” he says. “You are supported by access to transport.”
There is a quiet reassurance in that. Life moves forward. Her transport does too.
What a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle makes possible
Alex uses her Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle for the same reasons anyone else uses a car.
She meets friends for coffee. She visits family. She heads to council buildings to give talks and presentations. She makes ordinary journeys that make up a full life.
Did you know?
21.2% of Motability Scheme customers report improved job opportunities thanks to their vehicle.
Having reliable transport can help people find work or stay employed.
“My WAV is a real liberation for me,” she says. “I do basically the same things as any non-disabled person, as well as having a good time.”
For Alex, independence is not a slogan. It is being able to say yes without worrying about how she will manage the journey. It is arriving somewhere without feeling exhausted before the day has even begun. It is being part of family moments without barriers in the way.
“Why, as a disabled person, would I not want to spend time with my family and go places with them? This car allows me to do that.”
What is included with a WAV on the Motability Scheme
Transport is more than just a vehicle. It is insurance, servicing and ongoing maintenance.
With the Motability Scheme, it’s included.
“Pretty much everything is taken care of,” Alex explains. “Servicing, insurance and looking after the car. It is all part of the Scheme.”
That support matters. It removes the background worry about separate bills or unexpected costs. It allows her to focus on living her life rather than managing paperwork.
“It is a weight off your mind,” she says. “You do not have to think about all the individual little things that come with running a car.”
Thirty years on the Motability Scheme
Alex has been part of the Motability Scheme for three decades. During that time, her vehicles have changed. Her needs have changed. What has stayed constant is her ability to stay mobile.
Her current Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle does not define her. It simply supports her.
It allows her to keep working.
It allows her to keep visiting family.
It allows her to keep moving forward.
For Alex, that is what the right WAV provides. Not attention. Not drama. Just the freedom to carry on.
If you would like to learn more about how the Motability Scheme could support your independence, you can request a free information pack with details about how the Scheme works, the vehicles available, and how to apply.
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