The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Guide Dogs)
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Guide Dogs)
Transport and Mobility Conference, 5 July 2011
Report of Conference
The conference was chaired by Tony Aston, Guide Dogs Chairman.
Purpose:
Mobility for all blind and partially sighted people is key to Guide Dogs’ strategy and to the UK Vision Strategy.
The purpose of the conference was to gather the views of the vision impairment sector on the issues of greatest concern to blind and partially sighted people in relation to transport and mobility whether in the pedestrian environment, on public transport or in relation to international transport services. It also provided the opportunity to inform the sector about the work Guide Dogs is doing, both in public policy and campaigning, to promote the mobility interests of blind and partially sighted people; and to consider the views of others working to promote improved access to the pedestrian environment and transport services for other disability groups and the general public.
This was the second Guide Dogs Transport and Mobility conference. The first conference was held in Birmingham in October 2009.
Following that first conference the priorities identified were taken forward in Guide Dogs’ work programme and 6 monthly progress reports were circulated to delegates and other interested parties. This will also be the case following this second conference.
Delegates:
Delegates from a range of organisations in the visual impairment sector attended the conference, as well as from the wider access and disability sectors, representatives of service providers, and bodies working on passenger transport and the pedestrian environment. A list of delegates is attached at the end of this report.
Organisations represented included, from the visual impairment sector, Action for Blind People, Circle of Guide Dogs Owners, Deafblind UK, EBU Commission on Mobility and Transport, the Joint Committee on Mobility of Blind and Partially Sighted People (JCMBPS), Macular Disease Society, National Federation of the Blind (NFB), National League of Blind and Disabled People, RNIB, Royal National College for the Blind, Seeability, St Dunstans, Visionary and Vision 2020. Members of Guide Dogs Consultative Users Forum and staff from Guide Dogs Public Policy and Campaigns Department were also present.
From the wider access and disability sectors there were delegates from the Access Association, Assistance Dogs UK, Centre for Accessible Environments, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), and the Joint Committee on Mobility of Disabled People.
We also welcomed representatives from consultants David Bonnett Associates, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Living Streets, Passenger Focus, the Royal Town Planning Institute and South West Trains.
Introductory presentations:
Following a welcome from the Chairman, Tony Aston, Carol Thomas, Guide Dogs Access and Inclusion Manager, outlined some of the progress that had been achieved since the first conference in October, 2009, and current areas of work, as reported in the 6 monthly progress updates.
The key note speaker, Sean Dilley, Parliamentary Lobby Journalist, gave an entertaining and informative presentation in which he outlined some of the access issues he has faced as a guide dog owner. He highlighted awareness and attitude as key issues – for politicians, officials, transport staff and the general public; and that raising awareness and training were important across all travel modes.
Sean stressed the need to be clear, concise and coherent when seeking to influence politicians and officials. He supported the conference aim to prioritise key issues to be taken forward, as important to campaign on just one or two issues at a time, while seeking to influence developments on wider areas.
Conference workshops:
The conference was structured to ensure that most of the day was in workshops to provide maximum opportunity for delegates to participate. Each delegate attended two out of four workshops.
· Pedestrian Environment
· Buses and taxis (including minicabs)
· Rail and light rail (tram)
· Air travel and shipping (including ferries)
Delegates selected their two workshop choices. The pedestrian environment workshop was the largest group as first choice for most delegates and this was followed by the buses and taxis workshop, perhaps reflecting that people need to use these more often and thus place a higher priority here compared to international travel modes.
The feedback from the workshops is provided below. These views will be used to inform Guide Dogs priorities in the future to ensure that we are addressing the issues that really matter to blind and partially sighted people and that will do most to advance mobility.
It is important to remember that many blind and partially sighted people also have other impairments and this must be taken into account when requirements for inclusive environments and transport services are considered. In particular a large proportion of blind and partially sighted people also have a hearing impairment, and there are a significant minority whose deafness is so severe they should be considered as a distinct group in relation to their built environment and transport requirements.
Workshop Reports:
Pedestrian Environment:
Facilitator: Helen Aluko-olokun; Scribe: James White; Supported by Majeed Neky, Living Streets;
A. Priorities agreed:
1. Campaign for clearly defined pedestrian routes separate from bicycles, cars and other traffic
The preference is still for traditional pavements and kerbs.
2. Consistent implementation of tactile paving
This is a key challenge when considering the current trend for localism. If councils interpret guidelines for use of tactile paving on an individual basis, this is likely to cause difficulties for blind and partially sighted people.
3. The need for better engagement with local authorities - members and council officials, and with street designers.
B. Additional key issues: to be monitored and taken up as opportunities arise and resources permit.
· Electric scooters. The lack of noise they emit, and the lack of regulations surrounding ownership and use were the main problems.
· Rather than pushing for more regulation, we should be encouraging the police and local authorities to enforce existing regulations.
· Pedestrian crossings are being removed; controlled crossings often do not have audible signals; and concern about the poor state of repair of pedestrian crossings.
· Concern that Transport for London seem supportive of shared paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
· Concerns that our campaigning was failing to persuade citizens of their responsibilities as individuals.
· More should be done at a regional/local level.
C. Other points from workshop:
· Cities are often more accessible for blind and partially sighted people than towns and villages.
· Wiltshire have something called the “Clarence Hotline” which people can call to report a problem with the pedestrian environment
· RNIB have a network of regional campaigners who they use to collect information about proposed changes to the pedestrian environment
· Living Streets provide Community Street Audits as a commercial offering.
Buses and Taxis:
Facilitator: Andrea Gordon; Scribe: Gill Kenyon
Supported by: Paul Fullwood, Passenger Focus
A. Priorities agreed:
1. Training and Awareness for bus drivers and for taxi drivers
Training to include VI issues, and monitoring effectiveness of training for both bus and taxi drivers.
For bus drivers the Certificate of Professional Competence addresses disability equality and awareness but there are still many examples of poor practice. For taxi drivers training may be offered in some areas but most do not seem to have been trained in VI or disability issues. Many examples given in the workshop of minicab drivers tooting outside when informed the passenger is a blind person, or taxis tooting from across the street, and drivers not knowing the route.
2. Audible and Visual information on buses
Consensus on how important this is, and that the campaign should continue.
3. Consistent service across the country
Cuts in bus services affect some areas more than others, and there are particular problems in rural areas. London is not typical of experience across the country.
B. Additional key issues: to be monitored and taken up as opportunities arise and resources permit.
· Exemption certificates for taxi drivers due to allergy. It was considered that certificates from own GPs may be too easy to obtain and a suggestion that certificates should be obtained via consultants instead.
· Need a way for a blind or partially sighted passenger to identify the driver of a taxi or a bus in order to report an issue
· Dedicated space suitable for guide and assistance dog owners on buses with space for dog.
· Hailing buses – buses stopping when hailed rather than at a bus stop raises obvious issues for blind and partially sighted people
C. Other points from workshop:
· Useful to do ‘Tips for taxi drivers’ similar to the Guide Dogs ‘tips for bus drivers’
· Train bus drivers not to drive off until passenger is seated
· Concern that there is often a language barrier preventing good clear communication with some bus and taxi drivers
Rail and light rail:
Facilitator: John Welsman; Scribe: John Shelton
Supported by: Phil Dominey, South West Trains
A. Priorities agreed:
The overall goal is for a standardised, consistent and seamless travel experience.
1. Consistent passenger assistance and easier to locate assistance desks and help points at stations
Where possible consider standardising the location of assistance desks across all stations, relative to the station entrance and platform exits. Where this is not possible consider standardising the location of ‘assistance call points’ e.g. telephone hotlines at appropriate points where disabled passengers can call and wait for assistance.
The number of, and training of, assistance staff must also be improved. It was noted that with an ageing population there will be more demand for assistance, but that automation and financial cut-backs mean that there are less staff to assist. It was also noted that a human assistant is easier for disabled people to interact with and can provide more information and additional support than a machine.
2. National policy across train operating companies (TOCs) to improve and standardise the support and treatment of blind and partially sighted people and their assistance dogs on trains
All blind and partially sighted people should have a right to a priority seat, and for guide dog owners a seat adequate for them and their dog.
Where one is not available they should be entitled to use the wheelchair accessible seats or get an automatic up-grade to first class (some TOCs already do this but not consistent between train companies). In particular, people using an assistance dog often have a difficult time finding a seat that also has enough floor space for their dog to comfortably settle down without causing an obstruction.
It was also noted that the type of seat requested and promised at the point of booking is often not available once on the train. There is also sometimes a difference between what station staff advise when boarding a blind or partially sighted passenger as apposed to what then happens with on-board staff.
2. Better provision and use of passenger information systems to provide Real-Time Information in stations and on trains
Traditional departure boards are difficult for visually impaired people to use, and often verbal announcements of platform departures do not leave enough time for disabled people to comfortably get to the train and locate a suitable priority seat. Therefore, improved methods for providing accurate and timely information at stations are required.
It was also noted that onboard passenger information systems were often variable both in terms of their use (non-standard announcements by on-board staff), and the quality of the announcements made (volume, clarity, consistency). Use of automated systems on all trains to announce all stations on all routes, with a uniform approach to announcements across TOCs, should be compulsory.
B. Additional key issues: to be monitored and taken up as opportunities arise and resources permit.
· Tactile paving should be used more consistently and it should be installed at all stations and platforms without the delays associated with waiting for major station refurbishments.
· Simplify ticketing so that one ticket covers all legs of journey and so that one ticket can cover multiple or repeat journeys. Tickets to work across modes of transport. However, it was noted that smart ticketing by mobile phone may be problematic because not all handsets are accessible, and many users will not have confidence in the transaction. Also the human interaction with staff at the point of ticketing provides an opportunity to seek additional information and help, for example “where are the toilets or coffee shops?”
· The design and layout of train carriages should be standardised, particularly with regard to the operation and location of door controls, as using automatic doors on toilets and between carriages is often very difficult.
· Assistance at major stations and interchanges is often most problematic, and travelling by cross-country trains was described as often a ‘nightmare’.
· Reserve the use of accessible (wider) ticket barriers/gates for those who need them – often other passengers use them causing additional congestion and confusion for disabled travellers.
· Greater consideration should be given to designing for people with multiple disabilities.
Air and Passenger Ship Travel:
Facilitator: Carol Thomas; Scribe: Gail Stewardson
Supported by: Mark Stone, Equality and Human Rights Commission
A. Priorities agreed:
1. Good quality, effective staff training
This should be provided at all levels from board members to front line assistance staff. Where part of customer service and/or disability equality training the specific requirements of blind and partially sighted people must be included.
For instance, appropriate assistance for blind and partially sighted people rather than provision of a wheelchair. Monitoring needed to check effectiveness of training and to ensure that future generations of staff are being trained, too.
2. Information for travellers to be easily available, accessible, consistent and reliable
Pre-travel information should enable people to make informed choices and provide confidence that all arrangements are confirmed including staff assistance where required. Passengers should also be informed of how to take up problems where these occur and how to complain. Information during journey – from staff where audible information not available or sufficient.