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An app which allows passengers with reduced mobility and hidden disabilities to personalise the assistance they need has been launched at Edinburgh Airport. ‘Welcome’ by Neatebox allows people with disabilities to set up a personal profile and request assistance in advance from facilities and venues which recognise the app, such as Edinburgh Airport. Venues are notified of the request and receive top tips to aid the interaction with the passengers. The app from the Edinburgh-based company, Neatebox, sends a signal to the airport’s Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM) reception to notify staff that the passenger is on their way to
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From Sunday 18 March until mid-May, the current entrance to the high-level from Dundas Street will be moved further up the street closer to the Glasgow Subway and low-level entrance. This is to allow for the latest phase of work on the demolition of Consort House. The new temporary entrance will take customers to the high-level via a walk-way running through the old WH Smith unit. This will take passengers out onto the main high-level concourse. We are advising customers to consider using the North Hanover Street entrance to access high-level services, and are encouraging people to leave extra time
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In May 2017, Disability Equality Scotland conducted a national survey on behalf of Transport Scotland.  This was a baseline survey to allow us to gather information about disabled peoples’ experiences of travelling on public transport.  The survey gave us lots of useful information, and some that we want to find out more about. One of the key topics was access to transport information. As a disabled person travelling on public transport, information is crucial to make you feel confident and safe to travel independently.  This information has to be available in an accessible way to be useful to disabled people. 
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As part of our on-going work with Transport Scotland we will be holding an Accessible Transport Summit and an Access Panel Consultation event in Aberdeen on the 20th March 2018. The aim of this event is to bring together representatives from equality groups with transport providers to discuss specific issues relating to travel and transport. This is our opportunity to report back on some of the issues we hear from our members, and to have the chance to discuss ways that providers and disabled people (and other equalities groups) can work together to bring about improvements, in line with the Scottish
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Disability Equality Scotland, in partnership with Transport Scotland, hosted an event in Oban on 31 January.  The event was an opportunity to bring together local disabled people and transport providers to discuss key issues on the topic of transport accessibility and connectivity.  The event opened with an introduction to the Accessible Travel Framework from Transport Scotland to which the work of Disability Equality Scotland contributes.  Following this, group discussions took place covering topics such as changing between modes of transport, clear pathways, accessible buses and taxis and accessible information prior to and during travel. Accessibility at Crianlarich Station was one
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Disability Equality Scotland is hosting an event about access to transport for disabled people at the Riverbank Resource Centre on Wednesday 28 February 2018. The event, which is being held in partnership with Transport Scotland, will focus on disabled people’s access to public transport in rural areas. It will be the perfect opportunity for local people to influence the shape and form of public transport and create communities that are more inclusive. Disability Equality Scotland, Project Manager, Emma Scott said: ‘This is an important event as transport in rural areas can be a lifeline for so many people. The event
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Disability Equality Scotland presents an event on ‘transport connectivity’- the process of changing between different types of transport. Connectivity is about your experiences of changing between different types of transport.  It also includes journey planning and the timetabling of services so that people can make a connection.  This event will discuss some of the issues identified by disabled people using public transport such as journey planning, timetables, information and assistance. To book your free place please contact emma@disabilityequality.scot Telephone: 01259 272064 Or book online at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connectivity-event-disability-equality-scotland-tickets-42040088035 Date: Wednesday 31 January 2018 Time: 11.30am – 1.30pm Venue: Corran Halls, Corran
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Third Force News reports that Scotland’s blue badge scheme for disabled parking has been extended to cover carers of people with dementia, autism and Down’s Syndrome. Scottish Government officials confirmed they will be now be adopting changes introduced in a pilot project in April 2016, meaning carers and relatives of people who pose a risk to themselves or others in traffic can apply for a badge. Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government can permanently extend the criteria around the blue badge” To read the full article by Third Force News, please click here  
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Aberdeen International Airport recently  launched their new hidden disabilities lanyards in partnership with Friendly Access with an aim to make air travel more friendly and accessible for all passengers. The airport now offers passengers the opportunity to have familiarisation tours of the terminal prior to their travel plans as well as the option of wearing a hidden disability lanyard whilst in the facility. For more information about the new scheme, please click here
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