Introducing... the Accessible Transport Survey
Transport for All
Today Transport for All is launching the first annual Accessible Transport Survey. This is a major new project, and a chance for all Deaf and disabled people in England to have their say about transport and streets, the barriers they face, and to shape the direction of our campaigns as we fight for a more accessible future.
It is clear as day. The transport system does not work for disabled people.
Disabled people make 30% fewer journeys a year than non-disabled people, spend more time and money travelling, and have to tackle discrimination, indignity, and danger whenever they leave their homes. This has a knock-on effect on peoples’ lives. Barriers to transport mean barriers to work, barriers to education, barriers to days out, holidays, hospitals and more. Current measures aren’t doing enough to tackle these issues. We believe that this is, in part, because decision makers are not looking in the right places.
There are considerable gaps in the research into disabled peoples’ experiences of transport. Many existing studies are overly generalised, and are missing crucial detail about the specific barriers that the transport system poses. Our research is rooted in the social model of disability, an understanding that the problems exist in the environment, not in the person.
We want to hear about disabled peoples’ end-to-end journeys, the barriers they face, what works well, what they want to see change, and how we can get to a future where disabled people can get from A to B with as much spontaneity, freedom, and independence as everyone else. It is only by finding out the reality of disabled people’s lived experience that we can organise effectively, and bring about change where people most need it. And in order to do this, we need as many people to take the survey as possible…
How to get involved
If you are a deaf or Disabled adult living in England, you can take the survey by Friday the 21st of October. It should take around 40 minutes, but you can always save your progress and come back to it, or skip any questions you don’t want to answer! Answer in as much or little detail as you like – what’s important is that you feel you’ve had your say. And to sweeten the deal, participants will have the opportunity to win a £100 shopping voucher if they choose to enter the prize draw. You can take the survey and find out about alternative accessible formats here.
You can also help by spreading the word. We want to hear from as many people as possible, and so we need help distributing this survey across the country. If you have any Deaf or disabled friends, know any community groups or mailing lists, or can think of anyone else who is eligible, send them to our website. Click here to download a press pack including a leaflet you can print at home, graphics for sharing online, and copy to include in a newsletter or email. Or you can contact us and we will mail you some leaflets in the post. Our strength lies in numbers, and our community, so let’s get everyone involved!
