TfL has appointed the British Institute for Learning Disabilities (Bild) and People First to deliver engagement with adults with autism, learning disabilities or difficulties to ensure their experiences are considered as part of TfL's decision-making for projects and policies
"Making London's transport network more accessible for everyone is a top priority for the Mayor, so I'm pleased TfL has partnered with Bild and People First to better understand what it's like to travel around London for people with autism, learning disabilities or difficulties"
Seb Dance
Deputy Mayor for Transport
  • New survey launched to improve the experiences of travelling in and around London for people with autism, learning disabilities or difficulties
  • TfL is committing around £20m of funding each year to accessibility across its network 

Transport for London (TfL) has joined forces with Bild (British Institute of Learning Disabilities) and People First to understand the views and opinions of people with autism, learning disabilities or difficulties to engage people with lived experience to inform future TfL customer initiatives.

The partnership launches with a survey, delving into questions such as what barriers people face travelling around London and how could TfL improve the services it offers. The survey which closes on the 15 January will seek the views of people with autism, learning disabilities or difficulties and their supporters. The survey will also seek the views of those who visit London every year or are less regular users of the transport network.

TfL is committed to making London's transport network accessible for all and has a number of initiatives to support people with autism, learning disabilities or difficulties to travel. This includes TfL's free travel mentoring service that supports people using public transport in and around London to become more confident and independent travellers, and TfL's travel support card which helps people communicate any assistance or information requirements they have with staff.

TfL also offers a Turn Up and Go service on London Underground, London Overground and Elizabeth line to help customers who may need assistance. Everyone is welcome to use this service and there is no need to pre-book. Customers simply ask for help from staff on arrival at the station and they will offer advice regarding journeys, accompany them to the platforms, and provide support to customers boarding and alighting from trains. 

In 2017, TfL launched a "please offer me a seat" badge following research that found customers with non-visible disabilities and conditions, such as learning difficulties or autism, can find it difficult to get a seat on public transport when they need one, as their need may not be immediately obvious. More than 100,000 badges have been given to disabled people and those with invisible conditions since the badge launched.

Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said: "Making London's transport network more accessible for everyone is a top priority for the Mayor, so I'm pleased TfL has partnered with Bild and People First to better understand what it's like to travel around London for people with autism, learning disabilities or difficulties.

"I encourage everyone to complete the survey and ensure their views are heard so TfL can improve its services and continue building a fairer, more accessible London for everyone."

Mark Evers, Chief Customer officer for TfL, said: "We're committed to ensuring that London's transport network is accessible for all. This partnership with Bild and People First will help us achieve this by growing our understanding of the challenges people with autism, learning disabilities or difficulties face travelling around London. We encourage everyone to share their views via the survey and we'll ensure they are considered when we're developing customer policies and projects, so we can make London a more accessible city for everyone."

Kate Brackley, Learning Disability Advisor at Bild, said: "For many people with learning disabilities transport is a big issue. As someone who has a learning disability, I have used transport in my life and yes I do find things a bit difficult, but given the right support you can do anything! I recently used the Tube by myself for the first time, I'm not used to doing that and I was so pleased that I was confident and managed to do it.

"Please tell us your thoughts by completing this survey about the things that you find difficult. Or if you are a parent of carer, please tell us how we can make things better."

Andrew Lee, Director at People First, said: "We are looking forward to working with TfL and improving the experiences of people with autism, learning disabilities or difficulties when using public transport. This is a key part of being independent."

To find out more about the initiative, and to complete the survey, visit here

ENDS

Notes to editors

  • There are now more than 200 step-free access stations across the TfL network. These include 92 Tube stations, 62 London Overground stations, all DLR stations and all Tram stops 
  • TfL has one of the most accessible bus networks in the world. All bus routes are served by low-floor vehicles with an access ramp and dedicated space for wheelchair users. Around 95 per cent of bus stops across London are fully accessible
  • TfL and KeolisAmey Docklands, operator of the DLR, has partnered with GoMedia and The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to trial NaviLens, an app designed to help blind or partially sighted customers navigate stations, locate information and virtually interact with their environment
  • Last year, TfL trialled a mini ramp at step-free stations on the Jubilee line. It was designed to provide additional support and reassurance for customers to cross a small gap between the platform and train. Following a successful pilot TfL will be introducing it at all Tube stations that are fully step-free by spring 2024
  • TfL will introduce a new comprehensive equality and inclusion plan for customers in the New Year. The plan will outline actions to address inequality of experience for different communities using London's transport network, to ensure everyone is able to use TfL's services easily, spontaneously and safely

About Bild

  • Bild is a national charity that has protected and supported the rights of people with learning disabilities for more than 50 years
  • Bild wants a more fair and equal society where everyone has the same rights and opportunities
  • By working in partnership with people with learning disabilities and autistic people, drawing from research and evidence, Bild identifies best practice and what works. People want the right kind of support so they can make choices and decisions about the things that affect their lives
  • For further information, visit bild.org.uk
  • Follow Bild on X @BILD_tweets or LinkedIn @british-institute-of-learning-disabilities

About People First

  • People First is a national user-led self-advocacy organisation, for and run by people with learning difficulties
  • It has both individual members and member self-advocacy organisations
  • They campaign for the right to be seen and heard and to have choice, control and independence
  • People First's vision is of a UK which is free of barriers faced by people with learning difficulties