I am campaigning in the UK to make rail travel more accessible for
blind and disabled people, for example all of the Rail Companies e.g. 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 have
different functions on 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 who were trapped in the toilet and required assistance to
escape. 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 looking for cross-party support for this campaign and have set up
an e-petition on the government website. The petition can be found here:
Many Thanks,
Alex Scott MBE
