RiDC (Research Institute for Disabled Consumers)’s Post

Today is #purpletuesday and reading so many posts about the achievements of Disabled People, as well as the differing barriers we still face within society is great as people feel empowered to discuss the good and the bed openly. As I've not posted for a while, I'm going to attempt to do both and write about when Disabled People work together (sometimes with Non Disabled People), we can bring about change in society. The photo below, is me with Hilda who works at my local train station (Romsey). Hilda is a vital unseen part of me being able to gain access to trains to explore different places, go to work, go to social event, meet personal assistants and so much more. Hilda's role is way beyond just me buying a ticket from the ticket office, as there is only one touch screen ticket machine that I can't access independently, she makes sure the train crew are aware of me wishing to board as even though I've booked assistance, nine times out of ten they don't move away from the door they step out from, making it difficult to see a visible Disabled Person, let alone anybody with a hidden impairment trying to get attention. Hilda works from 7am until 13:30, Monday to Saturday. When I try and get a train outside these hours, I have been known to miss trains even with support from staff, as train crews seldom actively look. Which is why when Government and industry wanted to close around 860 ticket offices across England, reducing staffing levels, and transition towards ‘mobile staff teams’ I was proud of the response of my community of Disabled People, who as one brought the impact of this purposal to national attention, non-Disabled People also voicing objections. Together, we pressured in government into a U-Turn. What does all this have to do with #purpletuesday? #purpletuesday is an annual awareness day dedicated to improving the shopping experiences of Disabled People by encouraging businesses to make their facilities more accessible. Which is great, but it is no good if Disabled People can't get to where they want to go. I'm glad Hilda's role is staying allowing Disabled People and Non Disabled People to access site facilities, safely navigate the station, plan routes, feel confident in making journeys and much more...... #purpletuesday #coproduction #independentliving

Sustainable Growth Webinar, June 13 When Driving is Not an Option: Designing Transportation for Involuntary Non-drivers Improves Accessibility for All Anna Zivarts, a low-vision mom, disability advocate, non-driver and author of When Driving is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependance, will explain that when the needs of involuntary nondrivers are viewed as essential to how we design our transportation systems and our communities https://lnkd.in/exHjTiJf

Why designing an accessible city goes beyond affordability Accessible cities involve designing and building more intentionally inclusive infrastructure for the vulnerable, especially the elderly and the disabled. #urbantransformation #inclusivity https://lnkd.in/eFDvM_xh

Advancements in technology offer promising avenues to enhance the accessibility of cities beyond mere affordability considerations. Integrating smart urban planning tools, such as AI-driven predictive modeling for pedestrian flow, can optimize the placement of accessible infrastructure like ramps and elevators. Augmented reality (AR) navigation applications tailored for the elderly and disabled can provide real-time guidance through city spaces, considering their specific mobility challenges. Additionally, the Internet of Things (IoT) can enable the creation of responsive environments, where traffic signals, crosswalks, and public transportation systems dynamically adapt to the needs of diverse users. Collaborative platforms can also leverage crowdsourced data to identify accessibility gaps and inform ongoing urban development. By embracing these technological advancements, cities can transcend affordability constraints and create more intentionally inclusive environments for vulnerable populations.

You may have seen Anna Landre on Good Morning Britain today, discussing the shocking lack of a ramp for her to access the stage to collect her Freedom of London award earlier this week. 🤷 '24% of Brits have some kind of disability...why is this still happening?' Inaccessibility has been hitting the headlines all week, and Sophie Morgan’s ‘Fight to Fly’ doc naturally came up during the interview sparking a wider discussion on how shockingly inaccessible life can be for wheelchair users. This isn’t just about one ramp at one event - there is a bigger picture here, and it’s not good. 💬‘It’s on disabled people to enforce the law...it takes so much out of you’ As we have been hearing from the SCI community, and healthcare professionals in our Travel with Confidence project (https://bit.ly/3XtidKF), all forms of transport can be a nightmare: 🚄 ‘I get denied access to boarding a bus about once a month…I have issues with [trains] once a week. 15% of booked train assistance isn’t carried out at all or is carried out insufficiently.’ Huge kudos to Anna and Sophie for bringing these issues to the forefront in the media this week - we can't let these conversations die out, we have to keep plugging away until things change ✊ https://lnkd.in/eRMbTpvZ

again, please explain how this is acceptable in 2024 ?

First, let's acknowledge the elephant in the room - caring for a physically disabled person is tough. There's no sugar-coating it. From navigating accessibility issues to dealing with emotional ups and downs, caring can push you to your absolute limits. In this article, we'll explore the importance of caring for physically disabled individuals and provide some practical tips for carers navigating this journey. #physicaldisability #caring #accessibility #carers

NCAT are asking for people to share their experiences to make transport more accessible. Do you find it difficult to use transport? Do you wish services were better designed?  Or maybe you work in the transport or disability sector and want to help break down the barriers?  You can help to bring about change!   Join our panel and share your views on what transport is like for disabled and older people, and what improvements or changes would make things better.

These snapshots capture the essence of why disability assistance in public spaces is so crucial. It's about creating a world where everyone feels understood, supported, and free to move. 1. Image one shows braille alongside the elevator numbers, facilitating accessibility for visually impaired individuals. 2. Image two depicts a ramp designed for wheelchair users to access the facility. 3. Image three features tactile paving designed to assist visually impaired individuals in navigating the environment. 4. Image four illustrates accessible parking spaces, including a void area for wheelchair access on both the left and right sides. #DiversityInclusion #BusinessInclusionAndDiversityServicesACT #DisabilityAwareness