FOR Helen Dolphin, who lost both her arms and legs to meningitis, driving a car is a liberating experience.

“For many disabled people, driving a car is one of the few times you feel you can go everywhere that everyone else can," she says. "It was when I got my first car after becoming disabled that I actually felt 'normal' again. Behind the wheel I wasn’t being stared at or discriminated against - it was just me in my car on the road like everyone else.

"Getting back to driving is a big step after becoming disabled; you have to deal with getting assessed to see if you’re still fit to drive as well as finding someone to adapt your car."

Helen, who had all four limbs amputated 20 years ago when she had meningitis, is a disability campaigner and an independent mobility consultant who has been awarded an MBE for her work. She says one of the biggest bug bears for disabled motorists is people who don't have a disability parking in disabled bays.

"If, like me, you need a wide bay to get your wheelchair out it’s really inconvenient if all the disability bays are taken," she says. "I think people often just don’t consider how their actions will affect someone else.”

To tackle the issue, Helen devised the People's Parking accreditation, which sets out criteria for disabled parking. Bradford's Kirkgate Shopping is the first shopping centre in the city to receive the accreditation, after meeting criteria including designated disabled parking bays and being well lit.

The People's Parking scheme, set up last year, works towards improving car parks for customer needs and highlighting facilities for people with disabilities, parents, commuters, cyclists and those who use wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Kirkgate Shopping, which has 30 bays for disabled shoppers close to entrances on both its levels, met the scheme's requirements of safe lighting, cleanliness, safe pedestrian access, good signage and designated bays. It was also awarded extra accreditations for being family friendly and convenient for commuters.

With 91,000 Blue Badge holders across the region, disabled parking is important to retail centres. “As a disabled driver, I've had several bad experiences in car parks. I've often struggled to get in and out of car parks and I struggle to take tickets out of machines and get coins into slots," says Helen.

"Because it’s not obvious that I’m disabled when I’m in my car the driver behind gets really cross. They often come over to shout, then I ask them to take the ticket for me. Most are usually really apologetic, but I've occasionally had people say horrible things like I shouldn’t be driving, or allowed out on my own.

"This is why it’s important for there to be another way to enter car parks. By making a few simple changes, many car parks can make themselves accessible to disabled people, and in doing so attract more customers."

Helen recognises that access doesn't just affect disabled people. "Parents with children can find it difficult to get them in and out of vehicles in standard sized bays and people driving high-sided vehicles have very few parking opportunities off-street. My scheme was originally designed with disabled people in mind but I appreciate that there are many other people with special requirements, and being able to search beforehand for a car park is a great benefit," she says.

"I founded People's Parking to help demonstrate safe, easy, well-equipped car parks for any customer with a specific requirement. I’m delighted that Kirkgate Shopping achieved my accreditation, I hope it will encourage other shopping centres to follow their lead.”

Bradford Paralympian and Team GB wheelchair rugby player Coral Batey said: “Accessible parking in Bradford can be difficult to find, particularly designated areas left clear, so I’m really pleased that Kirkgate Shopping’s car park has been recognised by People’s Parking for its accessibility. More car parks should aim for this.”

Catherine Riley, centre manager at Kirkgate Shopping, said: “We’re extremely proud to have received the People’s Parking accreditations. Ensuring our car park is safe, accessible and easy to use for all is a top priority.

“We know how important it is to retain a sense of independence during daily errands such as a shopping trip and we’ve taken this into account in the centre. Our Godwin Street, Westgate and Darley Street entrances are all wheelchair accessible, we operate a wheelchair loan service and a Blue Badge holder free parking scheme.

"And our staff are always on hand for support in the car park and centre itself."