Posts by James Davidson

New Webinar Announcement: Disability Training for Public Transport Staff

Join Disability Equality Scotland as we host a webinar discussion about Disability Training for Public Transport Staff on Thursday 24 February 2022, from 1:30pm to 3:00pm. Feedback from our members has suggested that the success of a journey often depends on the attitude and behaviour of transport staff. Their knowledge and awareness of disabled people’s travel needs can make all the difference to a journey and can help disabled people to have confidence to travel. During this interactive webinar, we will be joined by representatives from leading public transport operators in Scotland to discuss how disabled people can be better
Read More

ScotRail Introduces Temporary Timetable Due to COVID

The rapid spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant has resulted in a large number of absences at ScotRail, with staff testing positive, awaiting results, or having to self-isolate. This means that several services have been changed or even cancelled, in recent weeks. The timetable, which mainly impacts upon services in the central belt, will be in place from Tuesday, January 4 until January 28, and will operate between Monday and Friday. David Simpson, ScotRail Operations Director, said:  “Like most businesses, ScotRail is not immune to the impact of coronavirus. We’ve been working flat out to run a safe and reliable railway in really difficult and
Read More

Consultation Event on Blue Badge Low Emission Zone Exemptions

Low Emission Zones are being introduced in Scotland’s four largest cities: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee to improve air quality and people’s health. The Low Emission Zones will restrict vehicles that do not meet or exceed the euro emission standards. As part of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 a number of national exemptions have been granted, this includes an exemption for Blue Badge holders whose vehicles are non-compliant. This is to support the accessibility needs of Blue Badge holders even if their vehicle does not meet the Low Emission Zone standards. Transport Scotland is hosting an online consultation event to
Read More

Help Make Electric Vehicle Charge Points More Accessible

Ensuring electric vehicle charge points are accessible and user friendly for all is a core part of the Scottish Government’s approach to building out Scotland’s charging infrastructure. That being the case, Transport Scotland is working in partnership with Scottish Enterprise through the Can Do Innovation Challenge framework to fund solutions which will improve the design of electric vehicle charge points to make them more accessible. One of these solutions is being produced by the company Urban Foresight in partnership with Duku product Design which will develop prototype tools to help older people and disabled people to be able to charge
Read More

20-Minute Neighbourhood Webinar Series – Video Overview

At Disability Equality Scotland, we recently joined the Health and Social Care Academy, and the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) to take part in an event series which explored the benefits and challenges of a 20-Minute Neighbourhood. The 20-Minute Neighbourhood concept has gained attention internationally and has been developed in cities such as Melbourne, Portland and Paris. The concept looks at having all your basic needs – health and social care, shops, work hubs, places to socialise – met within a 20-minute walk, wheel or cycle from where you live. This event series was an opportunity to provide
Read More

Watch our Transport Assistance Cards Webinar

Watch Disability Equality Scotland host a webinar discussion on the use of assistance cards on public transport. During this event we heard from Keith Fisken about the Thistle Assistance Programme, and Steven Dickson about the National Entitlement Card (NEC) including information on the rollout of free bus travel for under 22s. In addition, attendees discussed their own experiences of using transport assistance cards and provided suggestions for how the system could be improved. The webinar was recorded live on Tuesday 2 November 2021 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm, and was supported by captioning, as well as British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters. BSL
Read More

Transport Assistance Cards Webinar, Tuesday 2 November 2021, 1:30pm to 3:00pm

Join Disability Equality Scotland as we host a webinar discussion about Assistance Cards for travel on public transport on Tuesday 2 November 2021 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm. The discussion will hear from the Thistle Assistance Card and App and the National Entitlement Card and include small breakout groups with transport providers to discuss the ways in which disabled people can be supported to travel. Register to attend the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYscu6qqj8jGNbt7_GhKTuUvtTePR9Js36E
Read More

National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2021

National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2021 runs from 9–16 October 2021 In June 2021, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service released its latest report ‘Hate Crime in Scotland, 2020-21’ showing that the number of hate crimes relating to disability had increased by 14% to 448.  This is the highest number of charges reported since the legislation creating this aggravation came into force in 2010.  The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service maintain that around 97% of disability hate crime goes unreported. At Disability Equality Scotland, we have been working with Transport Scotland and partners to launch the National Hate Crime
Read More

Ferries for All: NorthLink Customer Experience Survey

Feeling safe to travel and get around is essential if we are going to realise our rights and achieve our potential. That is why NorthLink Ferries and Disability Equality Scotland, with support from the Transport Scotland Ferries Accessibility Fund, are partnering to improve the experiences of disabled people onboard. We will be working together to ensure that disabled people have safe and inclusive journeys. An important part of this is making sure that people know how to report any abuse or mistreatment. This project builds on the success of the launch of the national Hate Crime Charter, which aims to
Read More

Watch Now: Return to Public Transport Webinar

Watch Disability Equality Scotland host a webinar discussion on the return to public transport. As restrictions ease even further, disabled people shared their thoughts and concerns about returning to public transport. During the webinar representatives from ScotRail, First Bus and NorthLink Ferries explained what disabled passengers can expect from their service and what measures are in place to keep passengers safe. This was a great opportunity to highlight what can be done to ensure disabled people feel confident and supported throughout their return to public transport. The webinar was recorded live on Thursday 19 August 2021 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm,
Read More