· There are around 9.8 million disabled people in the UK, over 15% of the population.

· There are 2.3 million blue badge holders in the UK, indicating that they have a significant mobility problem.

· 10% of the UK car market comprises mobility vehicles.

· Over 5.5 million disabled people are of working age, which represents 16 percent of the working population. However only 50 percent of disabled people of working age are in employment compared to 87 percent of non-disabled people of working age.

· By the year 2010, 40 percent of the UK population will be over 45 - the age at which the incidence of disability begins to increase significantly.

· The estimated annual purchasing power of people with disabilities is £40-£50 billion

· Over half the population over 75 has some kind of disability - 70 per cent have difficulty walking or climbing stairs.

· 85 percent of disabled people in the UK were not born disabled, but became so in later life through accident or illness. 66 percent of disabled people are older people.