A new travel guide aims to make travel around the capital easier for people with learning disabilities, Transport for London (TfL) announced today.
This handy, easy-to-read guide, was funded by Transport for London, researched and compiled by Greenwich Council's Learning Disability Outreach team and designed by Working with Words, an organisation dedicated to working with people with learning disabilities.
To establish the main problems faced by people with learning disabilities Greenwich Council consulted with people with learning disabilities, their carer's, parents and professionals through a series of workshops.
The Out and About Guide provides step-by-step information about travelling on public transport, from preparing to go out to making your journey. The guide advises on road skills, personal safety, what to do if things go wrong and how to make a journey by bus, taxi and other forms of public transport.
TfL's Managing Director of Surface Transport, Peter Hendy said:
"Transport for London is proud to be part of this innovative travel guide that will be a great support to people with learning disabilities travelling around the capital. The guide will hopefully lift the barriers that some people face when trying to make independent journeys outside their everyday routine and will help make buses more accessible to more people."
Greenwich Council Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Supported Housing, Cllr Peter Kotz said:
"We were delighted to work with Transport for London to produce Out and About. It will help people with learning disabilities become more independent, boost their self-esteem and confidence. This will enable them to become more active members of the community and able to take advantage of improved access to opportunities for education, training, work and leisure in Greenwich. I'm sure it will be a very valuable resource, not just for Greenwich, but for everyone affected by learning disabilities."
Working for Words, Business Development Coordinator Rowena Harding said:
"Our learning disabled workers really enjoyed this project as they could see the relevance. We are happy this work will enable people with learning disabilities travel more confidently."
5000 copies of the Out and About Guide will be available across London from community centres and day-care centres. Also the guide is available from London Buses customer services by calling 020 7918 4300.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Two supporting documents will also be produced; a guide to using the Out and About Guide and an independent travel training skills booklet for use by teaching staff, parents/carers.
2. These documents will be distributed London-wide to community centres and organisations supporting people with learning disabilities.
