Improving accessibility in the UK

Whether it’s a temporary Christmas market or planning everyday routes, accessibility around the UK has steadily gained awareness over the years. Today it is a key concern for many people, from the government and local councils to public transport providers. Unfortunately, while the introduction of new laws and legislation such as The Equality Act 2010 has helped to drive action across the country, disabled people continue to face everyday obstacles. Why accessibility in the UK is so important Without a focus on accessibility many people living with a disability struggle with small everyday tasks many of us take for granted, and long-distance trips can start to seem impossible. Even cities like London struggle with accessibility despite increasing pressure to ensure everyone can experience a completely accessible visit. By understanding how accessibility has been developed and improved publicly, those with a disability can better plan their trips while public bodies and businesses can spot potential gaps in their accessibility plans and improve for the future. Remember, The Equality Act 2010 is there to protect anyone with a disability and ensure that reasonable adjustments are made to make their lives easier. If you feel like a service provider or business hasn’t accommodated to your needs and your access to the service was obstructed or even prevented altogether, there is action you can take. How accessibility has improved in the UK Both government and private travel providers have started to take more action to ensure that their services are as accessible as possible. While there has been a clear focus on wheelchair and other mobility accessibility, sight and hearing impairment are also starting to be addressed in many areas. Buses Buses have always been some of the most accessible forms of transportation in the UK, but more recent government regulation has helped to improve bus service even more, particularly in London. While many buses were equipped with some kind of wheelchair ramp system, wheelchair bays, priority seating and other adjustments that could be made accommodate wheelchair users, since January 2017 it is required by law that all buses have these adjustments. There are also new regulations for bus drivers as well, including: All guide and assistance dogs must be allowed onto buses. Drivers can no longer ask a disabled passenger to leave the bus because of their disability. Wheelchairs up to a certain size must be allowed on the bus. All drivers must be familiar with the wheelchair adjustments including ramp systems and must deploy the ramp for all wheelchair users. TFL Disabled passengers travelling on any TFL service can now get detailed advice on the accessibility of their route and can be given an alternative route that is more accessible. They can even provide a mentor to help passengers with the first few journeys of their route if required. In an attempt to address the notorious accessibility problems of many London over- and Underground stations, most of which are old and were never built with accessibility in mind, TFL has slowly increased the number of accessible stations. New ramps or lifts mean a quarter of London’s Underground stations and over half of the over-ground stations are now accessible along with most piers. Tour operators and service providers It’s not just government legislation that is driving change. There are now more tour operators and travel providers that are taking on the accessibility challenge, plus many public bodies and organisations that offer advice and help to businesses who want to know more about implementing accessibility adjustments. Tourism for All is a specialist tour operator who helps anyone with a disability plan accessible holidays and breaks in the UK, but they also provide advice to businesses, policy makers and healthcare professionals to help spread awareness and improve accessibility across the country. Organisations like this have helped to introduce more lifts, ramps, hearing aids, brail and other sight or hearing impairment services in museums, theatres, banks and other public buildings. You can now often find disabled access information directly on the service providers website, or find a number to contact someone about planning and accommodating your visit.

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