Motability is a scheme in the United Kingdom that enables disabled people, their families and their carers to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair, using their Government funded mobility allowance. Currently the Motability scheme has more than 650,000 customers. The scheme was founded in 1977 by Lord Sterling of Plaistow and the late Lord Goodman and launched at Earl's Court, London, on 25 July 1978. It was initially targeted at motorists aged 16–19 years, with some 220 applications being processed at the beginning of the scheme.