RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers)

Maleeka is visually impaired. Hear what she had to say about the prototype design of a self-driving minibus.  Designers and developers of automated transport systems need to spend more time asking and listening to a wider group of consumers to ensure their vehicles are accessible and easy to use by everyone. Our latest research shows that consideration of accessibility by designers and developers is currently patchy. Read the report here. https://bit.ly/4hlOx9N RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers) Motability Foundation Indigo Ayling Lisa Jones

What are the barriers experienced by a disabled person with a hidden condition when travelling? How can the design of automated transport services make travel easier? The only real way to know is to ask them. So we did. As part of a research study delivered in partnership with RiDC, we recorded this interview with Sarah: solving her accessibility needs would surely make the service better for all users. We asked lots of people the same questions, and more. Find out what they said in the full research report available to download here https://bit.ly/4hlOx9N RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers) Motability Foundation Indigo Ayling Lisa Jones

In September, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson chaired the Accessible Transport Policy Commission’s #Wales evidence session as a part of the Policy and Regulation Roadmap Inquiry. This roundtable discussion brought together transport professionals and Disabled individuals to examine the role of policy and regulation in creating #AccessibleTransport systems, highlighting the lived experiences of Disabled people. Panel members included Dr Robert G., Andrea Gordon, and Mark Jones. Six key areas for improvement emerged from this session: 1. Services: Infrequent and inconsistent services put disabled people's safety and confidence at risk and often lead to social isolation.  2. Information: Without accessible information, journey planning and seamless transport are impossible. 3. Design: Infrastructure and capacity are crucial to ensuring accessibility and safety before, during, and after using public transport and travelling.  4. Awareness: Public, transport staff, and policymaker awareness around transport barriers and access needs of disabled people must be improved. 5. Regulation: Regulation of public transport has gaps around licensing standards and complaint processes.    6. Rural areas: Overall, issues facing disabled people are further exacerbated for those in rural areas. Andrea Gordon who chairs the Travel Working Group of the Disability Wales / Anabledd Cymru Disability Rights Taskforce said: "How can you have an accessible transport system when there is not a safe road crossing from railway station to the bus stop, when there is not accessible audio and visual information on board on all if our trains and buses, and when we've got so much to do to raise awareness among staff and transport providers so that we can plan our journeys and be a part of society and contribute to everyday life" These findings will directly inform recommendations for national and devolved governments, supporting the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) in advancing accessible transport for all. If any of these areas resonate with you or you have further insights to share on accessible transport, please contribute your thoughts through the link below.  https://lnkd.in/eFVQkJWg The Call for Evidence closes this Friday! The Accessible Transport Policy Commission is part of the Motability Foundation funded National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) and works to remove barriers to transport for disabled people across the UK. #ncat Coventry University Connected Places Catapult Designability Policy Connect RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers) WSP Clive Gilbert Robert Mclaren Transport for Wales Dr Robert G. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Learning Disability Wales | Anabledd Dysgu Cymru ALL WALES PEOPLE FIRST Powys County Council Damian Joseph Bridgeman FRSA FIoL Sarah Leyland-Morgan Rose Pugh Undeb Bangor (Bangor Students' Union) Trevor Palmer

New research from TRL and RiDC has been considering the Impact of Automated Transport on Disabled People. Why is this research important? Self-driving vehicles have potential to revolutionise our transport system and enable people who might currently be excluded from transport to access goods or services in new ways. But accessibility for disabled travellers has not been considered as much as it could have been. Automation is not in itself a solution to the transport accessibility barriers which exist today, and in fact may introduce new barriers for disabled people. Through this project we engaged with an extensive panel of disabled people in order to gather feedback on the features of a prototype automated mini-bus and its service design. The report recommends that accessibility is considered from the outset, and suggests key principles, guidance and regulations that could be developed to make automated transport services as inclusive to as many consumers as possible. There are two report options for readers interested in designing future transport systems that are accessible to all. A summary report provides the key findings and recommendations, illustrating the range of issues that need to be considered. A separate report includes all the detailed findings from each research activity, bringing disabled people’s perspectives to life. Both reports can be downloaded from this page:  https://bit.ly/3Un8jbd Feedback directly from eight disabled consumers recorded as part of the investigation provides a taster of the wider insights in the full report: https://bit.ly/4hlOx9N RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers) Motability Foundation Indigo Ayling Lisa Jones

OPPORTUNITY: Access funding of up to £150,000 to develop novel solutions to help disabled people navigate streets and use public transport more easily. The National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) Scaling Innovation Programme, delivered by @Connected Places Catapult, offers funding and support for transport accessibility innovators. Find out more 👉 https://lnkd.in/e3rcth8F #ncat_uk #Transport #Accessibilty #TransportAccessibilty #SME #Funding  Coventry University Research and Innovation Connected Places Catapult Designability Policy Connect RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers) WSP in the UK Motability Foundation

Read why Sarah signed up to National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat)'s Community for Accessible Transport panel, and why she thinks you should too: https://lnkd.in/eUSMci8q Coventry University Research and Innovation Connected Places Catapult Designability Policy Connect RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers) WSP in the UK Motability Foundation #ncat_uk #accessibletransport

👋 Looking for rail staff to participate in a study about accessible rail travel! 🛤️ My current study on staff perspectives on accessible rail travel is almost complete. I am now just looking for a small number of additional rail staff with experience of accessibility and supporting passengers with mobility impairments. This could be station staff or managerial/senior staff involved in policy and operations. I am HUGELY grateful for the support that this study has received from the rail industry so far. It has been a joy to hear your perspectives and experiences on the barriers and facilitators to supporting passengers with mobility impairments. I would be so appreciative if you could share this post, especially if you work within the rail industry or have contacts who do. Please contact me directly on LinkedIn or email browns93@uni.coventry.ac.uk if interested to participate. This study forms part of my overall PhD project on accessible rail travel for people with mobility impairments. It has been approved by Coventry University's Ethics Committee and is part-funded by the Motability Foundation. All participation is treated confidentially and in line with GDPR guidelines. All interviews can take place remotely and should take no longer than 1 hour. Thank you, Stephanie 🚉 p.s. If you needed any further proof of my enthusiasm for this topic, look no further than this photo of me at the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway, engaged in some riveting discussion about retired trains! National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) Motability Foundation Arun Ulahannan (PhD) Paul Herriotts Stewart Birrell