I am campaigning in the UK to make rail travel more accessible for blind and disabled people, for example all the Rail Companies eg. Virgin, Arriva, National Express, First Scotrail and the other companies have the buttons all in different positions.
Here’s an example: in the toilets, buttons in the same position do different functions in different trains. In one train a button might open the door, but in another train the button will do something different. I personally know two people that were trapped in the toilet and required assistance to escape, and even more extreme, I know a gentleman that pressed the emergency button by mistake and stopped the whole train.
I was hoping my colleagues in the UK would contact their Westminster MPs, Minister of Transport and the Association of Train Operating Companies to ask that all the buttons be relocated in the same order, have contrasting colours, and even an audible signal. This would help give blind and visually impaired people more independence and make travelling by rail more stress free.
I am surprised at the number of people that have joined this group since November 2007.
I lost my sight in 1977 due to problems with the Optic nerve, and I’ve been active in the National League of Blind and disabled (Trade Union for the Blind and Disabled).
I coordinated the successful campaign for free concessionary travel for the blind and partially sighted on buses, ferries, trains, and Glasgow underground. This campaign took from 1978 to 1999.
I am active locally in campaigning for information and accessibility on all fronts.
