In this episode aims to explore members experiences of public transport and driving, how they use it, how accessible they find it and how it can be made easier. It will also discussing accessibility and campaigning for change.
We will hear about lived experience from our members with spinal cord injury as they discuss their experiences of everyday travel using the car and public transport. We will talk about what they prefer to use, managing unexpected challenges and resources they use to make planning easier. We will also talk to a representative from a bus company about how they have worked to improve accessibility on their services and plans for SIA campaigns around travel in the future.
Transcript
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Glyn Hayes is a former borough councillor and army veteran. He sustained a spinal cord injury in 2017 following a motorbike accident. Unable to continue in his career as a bus mechanic, he returned to the workforce in 2022 as an Independent Living Advisor at Aspire, before joining SIA in August 2023 as the Parliamentary and Public Affairs Coordinator.
Hi, I’m Andy Adamson. I have a spinal injury and was injured 17 years ago in a mountain biking accident. I have a T3 complete SCI so use a manual chair for getting around. I also worked for a Spinal Injury Charity called Back Up and still volunteer for them teaching wheelchair skills which give people the skills and confidence to get out and about. Building up confidence to get out and about was a big part of my early journey with an SCI as it enabled me to start looking at getting back into work and into the activities I enjoy.
I travel a lot now for both work and leisure including for handcycling and sit skiing and although things are far from perfect, there is usually a way to make things work – with the right planning and preparation of course!
Lady Marie Dawson-Malcolm was a physical training instructor in the British army, a mother to a six-month-old daughter and was preparing to take part in her first London marathon, when she sustained a C5 complete spinal cord injury.
She is an accessibility advisor on several National Panels where she advises on access to public transport, the built environment, access to services and event spaces for disabled individuals, been a consultant on the BBC Soap EastEnders, whilst still working full-time as a Corporate Partnerships Coordinator in the Investments and Partnerships Team, where she manages the day-to-day relationships with Legal, Financial and Care Trusted Partners
Victoria Garcia is the Accessibility and Communities Manager at Brighton & Hove Buses, the first bus operator in the UK to appoint and resource this role. Her role is to ensure accessibility is seamlessly integrated into every aspect of the business, to help ensure an accessible journey for all. Victoria’s work focuses on making accessible travel a cornerstone of connecting people to work, education, healthcare, and social interactions, playing a vital role in combating isolation and loneliness. Initiatives ensure equal access and promote independent travel for all.
Victoria says “Listening and learning from all our passengers, as well as local and national disability organisations is vital to ensuring a more accessible journey for all. We are committed to the co-production and design of our initiatives, policies and vehicle design so that we can continue to always improve on the service we deliver”.
Disclaimer: Please note, the content of this podcast reflects the personal opinions and experiences of the speakers. It should not be considered medical advice. For professional guidance consult with a relevant expert. SIA has no affiliation to any commercial entities spoken about or highlighted as part of the content of this podcast series. SIA is not in a position to endorse or recommend individual products or entities. Participants views are based entirely on their own experiences and they are speaking as separate entities.
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