Not many of us could name anything significant about this morning’s commute.
Most likely we were engrossed in our phones, hastily weaving through the crowds to make good time or head down vying for the nearest seat, lest we spill coffee all. down. ourselves.
It’s easy enough to switch on autopilot and move around in our little bubbles, and it’s even easier to miss the people who were not finding today’s journey quite so easy, who might be affected by noise levels and confusing announcements or keeping up the pace, especially when not all disability is visible.
But paying just a bit more attention to the people around us could make a huge difference for some.
Currently, disabled people travel up to a third less than non-disabled people and one in four say negative attitudes from other passengers are what’s keeping them from using public transport on a regular basis.
In a bid to make transport inclusive, the ‘It’s Everyone’s Journey’ campaign encourages us all to look up from time to time, and make buses, trains and tubes more considerate and supportive environments to travel in.
Disabled people will not always want or need your support but be ready to offer it, if you see someone that you think might need it.
Here’s just a few ways to make everyone’s journey a bit smoother.
GIVE UP YOUR SEAT
Making eye contact on public transport is a universally-acknowledged taboo, but coming out of our shells for long enough to ask if someone needs the seat more than you can make a great deal of difference to someone.
After all, there’s no harm if they say no – you get to keep the seat…
AVOID PRIORITY SPACES
In the UK today, there are over 800,000 wheelchair users and the Department for Transport is working with operators and transport providers to make sure that buses, trains and tubes are accessible to all of them.
Priority spaces and areas designed for wheelchair users are indicated on most forms of public transport, so if you find yourself occupying one, make sure there’s room for the people who really need it – they may not like to ask.
IT’S NOT A COMPETITION
Contrary to popular opinion, jostling to be the first one on the train never did make it go faster, but when we’re all in such a rush it can be easy to miss the signs that someone on the platform needs more time or space.
After all, a guide dog can’t warn you to watch out for a blind passenger, and commuters with hearing impairments may not hear you coming.
In fact, 1 in 5 people in the UK is disabled, although it might not always be obvious. Taking just a bit more time ensures everyone can travel safely and confidently.
OFFER SOME SUPPORT
Often unexpected delays and platform announcements can seem like part and parcel of public transport.
Although changes in the schedule can be especially difficult for people with conditions like autism, so if someone looks a little unsettled, your offer of support could go a long way.
CONSIDER FELLOW PASSENGERS
Getting on the bus in a group or dialling into a long-overdue FaceTime can be the ideal way to kill a long journey. But remember, it’s not just your journey, it’s everyone’s journey and not everyone wants to join in the conversation.
In fact, loud behaviour can be overwhelming for some passengers, including those with mental health conditions, because some people don’t just want quiet, they need it.
TUTTING WON’T SPEED THINGS UP
We’ve all been rejected at the ticket barriers before. Red-faced and admitting defeat, that awkward shuffle back through angry passengers somehow seems better than hovering any longer to see if it works the second time.
Therefore, you’ll know how nerve-wracking it is to be huffed and puffed at in front of the turnstiles and it’s the kind of added pressure that passengers who need a bit more time just don’t need. Wouldn’t you want a bit more space, next time?
RESPECT ALL USERS OF ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES
Not all disability is visible but it can still present all sorts of challenges in daily life, especially in situations like using public transport.
For example, people living with Crohn’s or Colitis aren’t able to queue because they might need to use them more urgently. Others need more space to empty an ileostomy bag.
Whatever the reason, the last thing a person with non-visible disability should have to do is prove it to others or justify why they are using accessible facilities and you have to ask: is it really my place to challenge them?
Remember, It’s Everyone’s Journey
As part of the Department for Transport’s Inclusive Transport Strategy, ‘It’s Everyone’s Journey’ is a campaign aimed at ensuring everyone gets the same access to public transport.
While improvements are being planned and made on the ground to enable disabled people to travel with ease, we can all help to make buses, trains and tubes more considerate and supportive environments to travel in.
Since we know that not all disability is visible, it’s all about taking our time, being respectful of others – and their space – or just generally paying more attention, whether we’re at platforms, bus stops, turnstiles or toilets, because this is not just your journey, it’s everyone’s.
Next time you’re on the tube, train or bus, look out for one of the playful It’s Everyone’s Journey posters or join the conversation and hear first-hand how disability can affect public transport use #ItsEveryonesJourney
source https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/06/look-aware-travelling-can-make-life-easier-disabled-commuters-12300962/?ITO=squid
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