the country's only news agency specialising in disability issues
New figures have revealed a huge increase in the number of times that staffing problems are causing lifts to be closed and step-free access suspended across London’s tube network. The figures, secured by Disability News Service (DNS) through a freedom of […]
The government’s advisers on accessible transport have told ministers they do not believe that their proposals for reforming the rail system will be enough to deliver an accessible railway. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) says in its response to a public […]
Campaigners have warned the government of the vital importance of choosing a disabled person to head its influential committee of advisers on accessible transport. The warning comes as the committee is set to assume an important new role as part of […]
Disabled campaigners were this week marking the long-awaited opening of London’s new Crossrail scheme by celebrating their historic success in forcing the authorities to provide step-free access to all 41 of its stations. But they have also warned that a proposed […]
The government has promised to publish its first “robust” national strategy to improve the accessibility of the rail network. The pledge came in its new white paper, which aims to “transform the railways in Great Britain”. There was little or no […]
Rail companies have apologised after their blundering attempts to make a gesture of respect following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh left their national rail information website inaccessible to many disabled people. National Rail Enquiries was just one of several […]
Disabled people have been ignored by policy-makers in the post-COVID rush to introduce low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), according to new research by a disabled people’s organisation. Although disabled people have both positive and negative views about LTNs, local authorities and transport bodies […]
A government minister has allowed the transport industry its fourth temporary exemption from access laws, allowing it to continue to use inaccessible vehicles for rail replacement services for another nine months. The concession came in a letter from transport minister Chris […]
A petition signed by nearly 120,000 people who want to see a £20 a week uplift given to universal credit claimants extended to those on other benefits has been handed to the chancellor, Rishi Sunak. The increase, which also applies to […]
By TJM Local authorities in England and Wales are facing calls to re-think the “streetscape” changes being made in response to COVID-19, amid concerns that the new street infrastructure is making parts of towns and cities inaccessible to many disabled people. […]