East of England train operators c2c and Greater Anglia have joined forces to give local disabled people the chance to create a more accessible rail network and have a say in how future policy is shaped.
The announcement of this new Accessibility Panel coincides with International Day of People with Disabilities, which this year focuses on spreading awareness of hidden disabilities such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, sight or hearing impairments and learning differences and others.
Greater Anglia Accessibility Manager Rebecca Richardson said: “We are really excited to work with c2c on this project to ensure accessible travel is high on the agenda for our region. We’re looking forward to recruiting the panel members and working with them to improve rail journeys for our disabled and older customers.”
c2c Customer Experience Manager Alex Whybro said: “We are thrilled to be launching our new Accessibility Panel and working closely with our colleagues at Greater Anglia. The panel members’ recommendations will help us to continue to enhance accessibility on our trains and at our stations. We’re committed to making our services inclusive and accessible for all customers.”
The new joint Accessibility Panel will meet four times a year and will be made up of people with both visible and non visible disabilities.
The scope of the panel is to provide consultation on business policy and applicants must share a passion for accessible transport.
Membership is by application and panel members will be paid. Applications are encouraged from people who live and travel on rail services in East Anglia and the South Essex and East London area.
If you have lived experience of disability and want to work with train operators to make rail travel more accessible please email: accessibilitypanel@greateranglia.co.uk
Further information can be found online at www.greateranglia.co.uk/accessibility
Photo credit: Greater Anglia
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