The One Show is making a film looking at some of the issues disabled people face when using public transport including trains, trams, buses, taxis, the tube and planes. The One Show is looking for people to record short videos on their phones or cameras when they encounter a problem; for example no help getting off transport (even though pre-booked); accessible toilets being out of order, luggage being left in spaces for wheelchair users or ‘talking’ signposts or buses not working etc. Anyone interested in finding out more or sending a video can contact Laura Pennington on 0161 335 8902
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There is just one week to go until the Scottish Transport Awards 2017! The Accessible Travel Hub has been shortlisted in three categories: Excellence in Travel Information and Marketing Excellence in Technology and Innovation Accessibility Project of the Year Now in its 15th year, the prestigious Scottish Transport Awards 2017 brings together the transport community to recognise and celebrate industry achievements across Scotland. Supported by the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland, this year’s ceremony will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on 15th June 2017. Roy Brannen, Chief Executive, Transport Scotland on the Scottish Transport Awards: “These
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Each week the Scottish Disability Equality Forum allow you to have your say on a number of different topics affecting disabled people in Scotland. The poll is a simple yes/no question, along with the opportunity to leave a comment on the chosen topic. This week’s poll question is about accessible taxis and whether a new law to reduce discrimination is being followed. On April 6 2017, a new law was introduced to impose penalties on taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) drivers refusing to pick up wheelchair users. According to this law taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) drivers have to: • transport
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              Scottish Disability Equality Forum is working with Transport Scotland to undertake research into Accessible Travel.  In September 2016, Transport Scotland published Scotland’s first Accessible Travel Framework.  This is a new plan, co-produced with disabled people to help improve their access to travel. Transport Scotland has a vision that all disabled people can travel with the same freedom, choice, dignity and opportunity as others. Our research involves gathering the views of disabled people on how you find travelling on public transport just now, and how Transport Scotland’s work to apply the framework can best
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            Motability, the charity which runs the support scheme for vehicles, recently revealed more than 50,000 people have had their cars reclaimed since Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was launched in 2013, replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Alex Thorburn, a Director of the Scottish Disability Equality Forum, believes the move away from the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is leaving vulnerable people stranded. Please note that the views expressed by Alex do not necessarily reflect the views of the Scottish Disability Equality Forum. “The new PIP system can see adapted vehicles removed within 10 days of people
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The Scottish Government want your views on improving the management of parking across Scotland and making regulation more consistent. The consultation asks how the Scottish Government can improve the clarity of the laws of parking, what restrictions should be applied and the exceptions that should be granted. The Scottish Government also aimed this consultation to local authorities to ask them how they can deliver an integrated approach to managing parking, how we should tackle displacement of vehicles and support the town centre regeneration, as well as improving accessibility to all. How To Tell Us What You Think To respond to this consultation,
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      The Scottish Disability Equality Forum (SDEF) is delighted to announce that the Accessible Travel Hub has been shortlisted in three categories for the Scottish Transport Awards 2017. Shortlisted categories: Excellence in Travel Information and Marketing Excellence in Technology and Innovation Accessibility Project of the Year Now in its 15th year, the prestigious Scottish Transport Awards 2017 brings together the transport community to recognise and celebrate industry achievements across Scotland. Supported by the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland, this year’s ceremony will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on 15th June 2017. Roy Brannen, Chief Executive,
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The disabled person’s parking badge pilot, which was launched in April 2016, has been extended to Autumn this year. People who think they might be eligible are being invited to contact their local authoritiy. The eligibility criteria have been revised and extended under the pilot to allow people who pose a risk to themselves or others in traffic to apply for a disabled person’s parking badge, provided they meet the criteria. Transport Scotland has been working closely with local authorities and disability organisations to extend the scheme to those who may be eligible under the new criteria. Extending the pilot
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A recent article by Hattie Gladwell featured in The Metro newspaper highlights the difficulties of travelling on public transport with a hidden disability.  In the article, Hattie said: “I first realised I was too scared to ask anyone to give up their seat for me on public transport when I was experiencing crippling pain in my abdomen while commuting home from work…” Commuters were unaware that Hattie was recovering from reversal surgery after having had her large intestine removed due to it almost perforating after suffering with ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease. To read Hattie’s full article, please visit: http://metro.co.uk/2017/02/17/why-are-people-with-invisible-illnesses-so-scared-to-ask-people-on-public-transport-to-give-up-their-seat-6455196/ Please
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Disabled Access Day is returning for its third year in March 2017, and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever! The event is powered by Euan’s Guide, the disabled access review website and app; so, when you search for what’s on below, you’ll be taken to event listings on the Euan’s Guide website. This is also where you will be able to read listings and disabled access reviews of the attractions and businesses taking part on 10th-12th March. More events are being added every day, all in different locations around the UK and beyond! For full details, please
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