Transport for London is asking Londoners with hidden disabilities such as autism or hearing impairments to help trial a new Travel Support Card which can be shown to staff and other passengers in situations where disabled passengers require additional support and assistance.
Chris Upfold, London Underground’s Accessibility & Inclusion Manager, said: “This new card is designed to make life easier for people who may need extra help.
“For instance if a journey is disrupted for any reason, the customer can use their card to indicate to staff that they would like extra assistance or support.
“The card will show staff how best to help that individual customer by, for example, taking the customer to the right platform, or taking extra time to explain alternative routes. This will improve the confidence of disabled people travelling in London and mean that more people can use the transport network that so many of us take for granted.”
TfL are already liaising with disability charities but says it needs more volunteers for the trial.
Volunteers with hidden disabilities who would like to take part in this trial, particularly those who live in Stratford, Willesden Junction and Wimbledon should call Kathryn Lyon at TfL on 020 7027 8340.
“Volunteers with hidden disabilities [such as autism or hearing impairments] who would like to take part … should call … TfL on 020 7027 8340″
A telephone call may not be the easiest way of making contact for some people … why not provide an email address?
What a brilliant idea I am deaf and have 2 autistic children . This would be such a huge help for us if only it became available in all cities.
About time.
This sounds like a really good idea!
I hope it becomes available up North!
I would love to volunteer for this as I have a mild learning disability and hidden mild osteoporosis, but dont live in London but commute to London each time. I may ring them up and see if I can do it.
Do TFL have a Minicom for deaf people to respond ??
The comments above just go to show how little thought went into this article and I am astonised to see that the EFD did not give any guidance or advice in this article to ensure it was accessble for anyone to respond to.
On the ‘hiddel disabilities’, not everyone who has hidden disabilities do not have mobility issues as well.
Until TFL can get their act together to ensure that the Freedom Pass has a consistent service across all transport routes under their auspices, then I cannot see how bringing out another card is going to help matters.
Aslo, if business cannot ensure that all of their services are fully accssible, then there can be no chance of anyone responding to a ‘help I’m disabled card’ as staff will be following the policies and procedures of their employers.
More thought should have gone into this article by TLF and EFD.
Adam Lotun.
“More thought should have gone into this article by TLF and EFD”
Hi Adam, you seem to be slightly confused – we’re a commercially owned news website, unconnected to TfL and therefore the article has nothing to with them and in turn we have no control over the scheme. Like all news organisations we simply report what’s happeneing.