Celebrating Differences Campaign
This year our Celebrating Differences campaign will focus on how we can make public transport more accessible for people with sensory needs, neurodiversity, physical disabilities and learning disabilities.
The theme Inclusive Travel was chosen by the Disability, Neurodiversity and Sensory Partnership Board Home | Staffordshire Disability Partnership Board | England in response to feedback from people with lived experience.
Objectives of the campaign
- Raise awareness of the barriers people with disabilities face when using public transport in Staffordshire
- Promote existing resources and tools to improve accessibility
- Support positive changes in public transport across Staffordshire
In Staffordshire, we want to champion and support inclusive travel across the county, helping our communities to feel confident, comfortable, and safe when using public transport.
Accessible public transport networks are vital for enabling people, including those with disabilities, to access their communities – whether it’s getting to college, work, volunteering, medical appointments, or for leisure.
Accessible transport helps people remain independent.
This means buses, taxis and trains having:
- Clear signage and easy-to-understand timetables
- Easy-read information
- Trained, patient, and empathetic drivers
- Priority seating
- Adequate wheelchair spaces and ramps
- Digital technologies such as apps, audio announcements, and live updates
- Legislation and national guidance
People with disabilities want to see more understanding and patience from fellow passengers.
Co-production
This year’s campaign has been co-produced with people with lived experience of physical disabilities, neurodiversity, learning disabilities and sensory needs, working in partnership with local transport providers and Staffordshire County Council teams, including Care Commissioning, Communications, and the Travel Connectivity Support Team.
Case studies
Paul, Nicola and Lachlan share their experiences of using bus services within Staffordshire.
Lachlan
Lachlan relies on buses to get to his volunteering roles. This gives him freedom and independence.
Lachlan shares his thoughts on what works and what could be better when it comes to making bus travel accessible for everyone.
Paul
Paul, who is blind, shares his journey of building confidence when using public transport and the realities that come with it. From navigating bus stops and his journey, his story highlights how small actions from bus drivers can make a big difference. He also explores how digital technologies are helping him travel more independently, offering practical solutions that transform his experience.
Nicola
Nicola brings her lived experience of a physical disability to champion accessible transport across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. In her conversation, she highlights why bus stop infrastructure must meet Disability Discrimination Act standards and what happens when it doesn’t. She shares the real impact of something as simple as a stop bell not working, and how an understanding, patient, and helpful bus driver can completely change the safety and comfort of someone’s journey.
Staffordshire’s accessible travel app
Staffordshire County Council have commissioned local media company, JMW Services Ltd, to design an app that supports people with disabilities. Ranging from learning disabilities, blind or partially sighted to Neurodivergent individuals, the app helps them to access buses across Staffordshire by tracking buses and bus stop locations across Staffordshire.
Members of the Celebrating Differences campaign went along to the JMW Services Ltd to support the development of the app and share lived experience insights to ensure the app is fit for purpose.
