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A NEW campaign has been launched to get audio and visual information on
board all buses and coaches.
National charity Guide Dogs say “talking buses” that give clear audible
and visible announcements about the next stop and final destination will help disabled and elderly people to use buses and coaches safely and with confidence.
The charity’s campaigns manager, David Cowdrey, said: “The law requires
new trains and trams to have audio-visual (AV) information systems – but not buses and coaches.
“The lack of information on board makes bus travel less accessible than
rail travel. It's time for the bus to catch up!
“Lack of AV information undermines the independence of many people who
rely
on bus services to get around.”
Guide Dogs’ research into disabled people’s views and experiences of bus
travel shows they often feel anxious and vulnerable, and depend on others
to find the right stop.
Many give up using buses altogether.
One partially-sighted woman, who was interviewed by Guide Dogs, said: “I have to ask the driver to tell me when to get off and they don't always
remember.
“A bus should give me my independence, not take it away. Please introduce
‘talking buses’ so we all know where we are.”
A Merseytravel spokesperson said: “We would dearly like to be involved in
such a project, but there is the issue of funding. We are, however,
monitoring the progress of this project with great interest.”
Guide Dogs wants people to contact their local MP, asking them to sign
Early Day Motion 506 supporting the campaign, and to write to Sadiq Khan
MP, the minister responsible for public transport.
You can do this via
the
Guide Dogs website at
www.guidedogs.org.uk/talkingbuses
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Scope Money Matters Survey 2010
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We want to know more about the
financial experiences of disabled people and families with disabled
children to help us influence financial information, advice and
services for the better.
We’d be very grateful if you’d take 10-15 minutes to complete the
survey.
The survey will close on 15 March 2010.
Please give us your views now.
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New Year, New Campaigns
Dear campaigners
Our government is failing to fight for the
rights of disabled people at a European level. Help us to put
pressure on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to tell his ministers to
fight for the rights of disabled people across Europe.
Take action now
<http://www.LCDisability.org/lists/lt.php?id=ZEoIBgwDAw8EGQABC0oBDQYEAw%3D%3D>
as part of the joint Sense, RNIB, RNID, Radar and Leonard Cheshire
Disability campaign! Contact the Policy &
Campaigns Team on 020 3242 0373 or email
campaigning@LCDisability.org
or visit
www.LCDisability.org/campaigns |
Have you ever had problems accessing goods and services?
Leonard Cheshire Disability is carrying out
research into disabled people’s experiences of accessing goods and
services. We would like to talk to disabled people who have faced
problems - this might have been when visiting a local shop, bank or
post office, for example, or when using public transport.
We would also be particularly interested to
hear from people who have taken, or have considered taking, legal
action against a service provider.
Participants will be asked a series of
questions about their experiences. The interview should take 15-25
minutes to complete and people will receive £5 for their time. We
are looking to conduct around 20 interviews so numbers are limited.
If you would like to express an interest in
taking part please contact Eleanor Gore,
eleanor.gore@LCDisability.org, telephone 020 3242 0373 or write
to us at:
Eleanor Gore
Leonard Cheshire Disability
66 South Lambeth Road
London
SW8 1RL |
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