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Disabled Motorists Association (DMA) was started in 1954 to help people with disabilities gain independence through motoring.
DMA is a self help group in the truest sense. It is run by and for physically disabled people. It is the only motoring group of its kind in Australia. WHAT IS DMA? DMA was founded in 1954. DMA office is located at 2A Station Street, Coburg 3058 DMA is managed by a Board of Directors. DMA is a non-profit company limited by guarantee. DMA is proudly serving the needs of the Disabled Motorist. The DMA is proud of its years of service and that its Board is made up of people who are disabled motorists, assuring members and the disabled of knowledge and understanding. DMA is an association of disabled drivers and those providing professional or technical support to the association. DMA SERVICES: MEMBERSHIP NEWSLETTER INFORMATION & ADVICE RACV MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS BOB JANE T MARTS TYRE DISCOUNTS TRAINING MY CONNECTED COMMUNITY MC2 DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO SHOULD JOIN DMA? For a membership application contact the office by email or telephone (details below) or download the application form from our web site. Applications for membership are considered by the Board at its next meeting. Successful applicants are issued with a Membership Card. From then members enjoy the security of being in an organisation of people with mutual concerns and dedicated to doing everything it can to solve them. Telephone / Fax (03) 9386 0413 Email: dma@disabledmotorists.org.au MEMBERSHIP: Ordinary (with Concession if applicable): Disabled Driver/Motorist; motorised wheelchair/scooter user Associate: Family member, carer, member of other organisation THE BEGINNING 1954:: The early wheelchairs were a far cry of the modern motorised chair today, and took some manoeuvring which challenged Ilma Lever to satisfy her dream to drive a motor vehicle. From 1949 Ilma approached every available motor vehicle organisation and gathered as much information as possible about driving. Then choosing a Morris Minor to drive as it seemed no bigger than a wheelchair and would be manageable, with the support of her father she went off to the Registration Branch where the Sergeant in Charge suggested that she contact Sid Ross (the inventor of the Ross Hand Control) in New Zealand. Ross said he would come to Australia, if 4 people with a disability could be found in need of hand controls., so with the help of Norm Spencer, Radio 3DB, and Elizabeth of “The Friendly Door”, radio requests, saw many people with disabilities coming forward needing hand controls. The First controls were fitted at the family home in Coburg. Having a shy personality, Ilma overcame this in her drive to support and give independence to all people with a disability by being able to become motorists in their own right, and became the Australian agent for the Ross hand Control The survivors of Polio, Returned Service men and women, and those with physically debilitating disorders, were for Ilma, friends and colleagues. By 1954 Ilma had consistently battled the system to establish rights for drivers with disabilities and gathered together friends and Colleagues to establish the Victoria Disabled Motorists Association (VDMA), which is today the DMA whose Patron is the Governor of Victoria, Ilma has been the driving force along with Colleagues and friends, behind, RACV driving instructors for the disabled, The Disabled Persons Parking Scheme, RACV discount for DMA members, the Office and John White Resource Centre, Ilma Lever Gardens (Horticultural program for people with disabilities) Ilma won a number of motor car rallies and travelled Australia as a motorist. In 1957, a country magistrate declared that people with disabilities should not drive motor cars, The ‘Sun’ newspaper organised a motoring competition, “The Sun Safe Driving Test”, a full day of driving up and down city and suburban Streets, with a prize of 100 pounds donated to a hospital of choice. The magistrate’s words riled Ilma so she entered with her niece Dana as navigator, and won with more than 100 points. No one could believe that not only was Ilma disabled but also a woman (It was a firm belief that men were by far the superior drivers at that time). In 1975 Ilma was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for service to the DM(V) and people with a disability. Ilma’s Courage Strength was matched by her wisdom, her vision for people with a disability and a care and support rarely seen. Ilma Levers legacy to people with a disability is the DMA and their knowledge that her spirit will guide the future direction for drivers/motorists and people with a disability. |
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Disabled Motorists Association Interactive online group at mc2
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