Bus operator Brighton and Hove has employed an Accessibility and Communities Manager, Victoria Garcia, who is responsible for engaging with disabled people in the local community.
Working alongside disabled people and organisations that represent them, Victoria has ensured that people with a range of impairments and conditions have played a leading role in Brighton and Hove's efforts to:
- install hearing loops, dementia-friendly floors and audio-visual equipment on vehicles
- introduce the 'Helping Hand Card', which lets drivers know when a person needs extra help
- launch the company's anti-hate crime campaign
- host Travel Training sessions with the Grace Eyre Travel Foundation
- provide high-quality disability equality training for drivers and customer service staff
Victoria says:
By having a designated accessibility lead, we have been able to ensure that disabled people's interests are at the core of our decision-making, with senior management and the board taking the lead.
Accessibility is taken into account in every area of the business, including vehicle design, routes and timetabling.
The operator continually receives customer feedback reinforcing the importance of being able to connect with their local bus provider.
One customer said:
After giving up my car, I thought I'd also lost my independence. Staff at Brighton and Hove buses met with me so I could privately try my wheelchair on board the bus. This simple, straightforward service means I now travel everywhere by bus and I feel confident doing so.
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