Transport Scotland Accessible Travel Conference - Travelling with dignity – what must we do?

Please note that the registration period for this conference has now ended.

However if you would still like to attend this conference, please e-mail Douglas.Adams@gov.scot as we will hold a reserve list to reallocate any tickets which are cancelled.

This unmissable conference, celebrates the bravery, determination and ambitions of Scotland’s disabled people.

It showcases inspirational work by young disabled groups, offers insight into Scotland’s business community to make meaningful changes and seeks to offer each of the 275 invitees the opportunity of viewing accessibility through a new lens into what makes life very challenging for around 20% of our population.

This conference asks one thing from its attendees – that when leaving - will you leave as a champion for Scotland's aspirations on accessible travel, by enabling all its disabled citizens to travel with the same freedom, choice, dignity and opportunity as other citizens?

It is a packed day in a great venue, it’s interactive and layered with humour, knowledge and experiences. Michael Matheson Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity will open the event.

Guest Speakers include:

Curt Holst, Barclays Bank - Accessibility and improved User Experience for all

Traditionally accessibility is considered a component of usability focusing on people with disabilities but is often not seen as a powerful opportunity to innovate. Accessibility is about ensuring that our products, services and workplaces are available to and usable by everyone, especially those with disabilities. Done well, accessibility brings a multitude of benefits – from improved customer experience and reach, more engaged and productive colleagues, bolstering brand and mitigating risks. However, many businesses still do not pay attention to this topic, despite accessibility being of more benefit to more disabled/older customers and of growing interest to some organisations who see the opportunity.

We often mistake the concept of accessibility as involving people with disabilities. However, we’re all disabled in many contexts and circumstances. Accessibility is all about people. If you’ve ever suffered an injury, you’ll know how difficult formerly simple tasks become.

Emily Yates - Travel Writer and Accessibility Consultant for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, will skype in from New York to talk about her experiences working with the transport systems in Rio de Janeiro, from adapting architectural blueprints and modernising equipment, to running focus groups and training staff in disability awareness. Emily will also discuss her work with Enhance the UK, and the importance of a cultural shift when advertising access and inclusion as a profitable business model rather than simply a kind or ethical thing to implement.

Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) - This year’s campaign, All Aboard, aims 'To improve young people's experience of public transport in Scotland', and focuses on three themes: Reducing Fares, Accessibility, and Bus Standards. This presentation by members of SYP (MSYPs) will outline the findings of their Scotland-wide consultation of young people’s views and experiences of public transport in Scotland, and discuss recommendations for improving this experience.

Michael Leeland, Oovirt - The provision of information and how it is consumed are key elements of enabling accessibility and inclusion. Given the digital world we live in, why do so many people still not feel confident a location will be accessible for them after searching for information online? We will be discussing why this aspect of accessibility is important, some of the issues with finding it and what can be done to help improve the situation.

WPC Stephanie Rose, Sgt Fraser Robertson , Megan Milligan - This presentation will hear from colleagues at Police Scotland and the British Transport Police who will introduce the topic of hate crime and the ongoing work by both organisations to tackle it. The presentation will also introduce I Am Me, a community charity that aims to change attitudes and behaviours so that disabled and vulnerable people feel safe in their communities. It will cover their work around ‘Keep Safe’ places and include a demonstration of their app along with Ambassador Training.

Sarah Asher, Whizz-Kidz - is going to talk about the Whizz-Kidz Charity and their previous work with Transport teams in the UK and the positive impact that engaging with experts by experience can have on policy development and transport delivery.

Eilidh Gibb and Edward Maxfield are going to share their personal experiences as young wheelchair users accessing Scottish Public Transport, the good the bad and the hopeful! We hope to give attendees some food for thought and an insight, from lived experience, into what really helps people who use wheelchairs when travelling around Scotland

Dietary and Accessibility Requirements:

To ensure that you receive the best experience when you attend the conference on 7 March, please complete our short survey in the link below which you can indicate if you have any specific dietary or accessibility requirements.

https://goo.gl/forms/yt2vktKRXFcIYOV42

PLEASE NOTE REGISTRATION IS AT 09:30 - 09:55