LIVE BLOG: No Go Britain – the debate
In the build-up to the Paralympics, Channel 4 News has been focusing on the issue of accessible transport as part of the No Go Britain series. We have highlighted the endless problems disabled people face simply getting from A to B. Tonight we brought three of those who have featured in our reports face-to-face with the transport organisations they feel are letting them down. Add your voice on Twitter @nogobritain
There are 18 comments on this post
I’m disabled. I receive DLA that includes transport costs. This works and I can decide how I travel.
What’s the problem ffs.
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I still want to get people talking about transport provision for aids “less than” wheelchairs. I have had many problems being told there’s no provision for my wheeled walking frame, because the wheelchair space is for wheelchairs only. After pointing out the law, some train operators have found some way to help me, either letting me have a wheelchair space, or promising to make sure that there’s space in one of the few luggage racks that the frame will fit in. Some won’t do anything, and no bus provider has ever felt it right to do anything for me at all.
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12 years ago i worked for london transport and whilst my job was to help upgrade the system for the disabled, i left because i soon found out my job was to justify the financial case to stop the tube becoming accessable to the disabled
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The bus industry is so poorly paid perhaps thats the reason so many complaints about bus drivers. But as an able bodied passenger I feel treated by contempt anyway by the likes of Arriva etc, who simply dictate policy to frightened governments.
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Illegal parking at bus stops means that buses have to park in the middle of the road. This causes problems for elderly and disabled people because they cannot climb up to the high platform. Also, parking on pavements often mean that wheelchair users can’t get past without going into the road.
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I am ambulant disabled and i was wondering what investigation has happen involving this?? i can walk unaided but a lot of methods of transport are inaccessible due to me struggling with stairs.
Also as i dont look “disabled” i have recieved abuse off staff if i have asked for help in the past as they dont believe me.
How can this be resolved do i have to wear a big plackard to say im disabled??
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If bus conductors were brought back a lot of the problems encountered by disabled passengers could be addressed. BRING BACK THE BUS CONDUCTOR!
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We are a small science and tech firm based in London.
We have tried to solve the issue of disable people trying to use the transport. We ask the companies to invest in us rather then modify old transports. It would be cheaper and better for the companies. If we can forward our proposal to the TFL and get funding and grants or loans we can create more jobs and have technology suited for the disable community.
We have the answer rather then looking for the question.
We believe our technology is suited the tech savvy community.
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I have had to use a mobility scooter since October, and have been unable to use local public transport. I have a free bus pass, but the number of buses that can accomodate my scooter i.e. that have a ramp are very few, so I can’t use them. Scooters are banned from the Metro rail system unless carried as luggage- if I could do that I wouldn’t need a scooter! Therefore I am reliant on my husband driving me, which he’s not able to do very often. I’m now practically housebound because of this and the state of the pavements locally- don’t get me started on that!
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How about providing simple training for able bodied citizen volunteers from among transport users to offer help to disabled pasengers?
Most travellers are fit and are well able to help disabled people but there is a natutal reluctance to step forward.
A campaign to encourage us all to help would be of great value.
It could give real meaning to the ‘Big Society’. Win win all round.
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What about the return of bus “Conductors” this will help all how tavel by bus ,as for trains some again more staffing of trains and stations but we talking about companys not willing to spend money .
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I have just watched with disgust the responses of a panel of grey middle aged able bodied men attempting to claim that public transport is becoming increasingly accessible. Their responses to the debate participants representing disabled people was dismissive and they were not listening to the points raised. And as for the ludicrous assertion that training is the key – may I ask – how much flipping training does a bus driver need to see that someone needs assistance? There are huge organisational and attitudinal barriers, and if these are the spokespeople for change, I despair. I am able bodied by the way, and I was shocked and ashamed to hear the experiences of the three disabled representatives, and impressed by their dignity and restraint.
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Having had a hearing impairment since birth I think you should be careful before you judge disability on visual evidence. The greyness I accept (reluctantly) .
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Jon, Katie & C4 news team
Congratulations on both an excellent live debate and, more particularly, on engaging with a vital and underattended issue. As an AB person myself, I am aghast at the treatment of many disabled people on transport and more generally; employment is another issue where disablement becomes disadvantage unjustifiably and unnecessarily.
While many of the transport problems identified would improve the lives of disabled people practically, by far the most important aspect of the issue is to raise awareness among the able-bodied public that disability is not to be feared; the disabled need not be shunned, avoided or patronised.
Your coverage helps the process of normalising disability and changing the attitude of the public to disability. May it be the first of many such pieces.
Yet again, you have shown your journalistic instincts and attention superior to other outlets. Again, congratulations. Keep it up.
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Here in Watlington Oxfordshire we have the WVD [ the Watlington Voluntary Drivers]
We take people to the hospitals at ‘expense’ cost which is somewhere between taxi and public transport cost which could be politically amended.
The scheme costs little more than the cost of a mobile phone, the CRB checks and a bit of stationary = buttons.
It works !!!
It could easily be extended to include assistance for disabled travelers and move into a cross country ‘Node’ type setup in conjunction with the public system.
There are some 1.6 million unemployed and a further X million active pensioners all of which are being currently paid by the state for their time. It is a huge resource.
All that is required is for the Parish Councils et al to invite people to register as ATH [ Available to Help] conditional that outgoing expenses will be paid on an equitable basis.
I float the concept; but at 76 yrs of age it would need younger blood to implement.
alfairb@aol.com if the idea grabs you.
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My Mum was in a wheelchair – and when we drove from Gloucestershire to the Lake District on holiday we stopped at many Motorway services. We found that the toilets were terrible as they shared baby changing facilities – which, if like my Mum, you need a carer, the two of you can’t fit in or move around. It’s really appalling and there needs to be more awareness that a nappy bin or a changing area gets in the way if you are disabled and they shouldn’t share the same space. It’s hard enough to be disabled but to have to deal with poor facilities is just depressing.
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Why is it that Jon & his No Go Britain team have ignored the needs of 1,000s of people who hapopen to be disabled by deafness or hearing impairments? In addition why don’t they & the powers that be recognise that getting on/off buses, trains & changing train stations can be just as difficult for numerous non wheelchair users/blind people who happen to have mobility impairments or to to be frail/older? Talking buses and stops may be useful but only if announcements are made by slow , clear speakers. All too often announcers on trains or stations cannot be understood let alone heard, main line stations with branch lines have few if any staff and endless steep steps. St.Erth (the claimed gateway to St.Ives, Cornwall) is a good example; long distance travellers have to go one a few miles to Penzance. Many of our buses in Cornwall are not easily accessible, some are frequently late or don’t turn up. How do cashiers, drivers train staff communicate with people who happen to be deaf and have signing as there first language? When are tv companies going to provide sign language as the norm during all progs? Why don’t we have decent size sub titles that don’t vanish before everything can be read? Many promises were made during the 1981 Year of Disabled People followed by the DDActs and now the Equality Act but still in 2012 NO GO BRITIAN continues to be inaccessible,not just London but countrywide. Too many deaf/hearing impaired people remain hidden, isolated, unable to fully participate in meetings or events because adequate facilities just don’t exist or dont function properly be it in Community,Leisure centres,Hotels or other venues local or nationwide. Who precisely is responsible for implementing facilities that will enable deaf/hearimg impaired people to use their talents & fully participate? We need a good strong voice! Why don’t planners, county or govt. officials ensure that these laws are implemented so that all people who happen to have a disability can take full part?
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Despite tweeting my bus journey from a disability, sensory, access angle I successfully managed to miss tonights stuff. A few general points then:
1) No technology does not have the answer alone.
2) Yes, actually training is a very significant part of the answer and the person who claimed it is not is sadly only thinking in terms of physical disability. I have a mild visual impairment with a disproportionate affect. No bus driver would know that.
3) The debate is about physical access which is a major issue and yet no-one talks about why many people don’t use public transport in the first place e.g. a lack of accessible information and appalling attitudes from drivers and the public. At present #nogobritain has a focus only on physical access and half the issues aren’t even on the table.
Plenty more where that came from.
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