walking . is . overrated

If you live in Auckland and currently use one of those ARTA cards for half-price taxi fares, listen up: this one’s for you.

The Cerebral Palsy Society, the wonderful people that they are, are running a limited pilot programme called getOutThere, which encourages people with cerebral palsy to participate actively within their community. How are they hoping to achieve this, I hear you ask? Well, successful applicants are given a set of taxi vouchers (~$200 worth for the 6 month period), which are used to make up the portion of the fare which isn’t covered by the ARTA mobility card. Interested? Here are the criteria (but of course do not automatically guarantee you entry into the programme):

• You have cerebral palsy
• You have a current/valid ARTA mobility card (for taxis, not the parking one)
• You are a member of the Cerebral Palsy Society
• You live in the Auckland area

Fit the bill and want to apply? Well, either visit their website, download an application form, or give them a ring on 0800 503 603.

I for one believe this is a really fantastic initiative which removes the (often huge) financial barrier for disabled people wanting to participate in wider social activities, and will really encourage those with cerebral palsy to get out and about within their local community. Even if you’re not eligible for the pilot or live outside Auckland, check out their website anyway, they’re doing some good things (like putting me on their front page)