Accessibility

Accessibility Planning was introduced as a result of the report "Making the Connections: Final Report on Transport and Social Exclusion".Office of the Deputy Prime Minister – Social Exclusion Unit: "[http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/social_exclusion_task_force/assets/publications_1997_to_2006/making_transport_2003.pdf Making the Connections: Final Report on Transport and Social Exclusion] {{Webarchive|url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100907154242/http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/social_exclusion_task_force/assets/publications_1997_to_2006/making_transport_2003.pdf |date=2010-09-07 }}". February 2003. This report was the result of research carried out by the [[Social exclusion|Social Exclusion]] Unit. The United Kingdom also has a "code of practice" for making train and stations accessible: "Accessible Train and Station Design for Disabled People: A Code of Practice".Department of Transport & Transport Scotland: "[http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/rail/railstations/accessiblestationdesigns/cop.pdf Accessible Train and Station Design for Disabled People: A Code of Practice]". July 2008. This code of practice was first published in 2002 with the objective of compliance to Section 71B of the Railways Act 1993,{{Cite web|title=Railways Act 1993 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/43/section/71B |website=legislation.gov.uk |language=en-GB |others=Expert Participation |access-date=2018-07-02}} and revised after a public consultation period in 2008.

Accessibility Planning was introduced as a result of the report "Making the Connections: Final Report on Transport and Social Exclusion".Office of the Deputy Prime Minister – Social Exclusion Unit: "[http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/social_exclusion_task_force/assets/publications_1997_to_2006/making_transport_2003.pdf Making the Connections: Final Report on Transport and Social Exclusion] {{Webarchive|url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100907154242/http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/social_exclusion_task_force/assets/publications_1997_to_2006/making_transport_2003.pdf |date=2010-09-07 }}". February 2003. This report was the result of research carried out by the [[Social exclusion|Social Exclusion]] Unit. The United Kingdom also has a "code of practice" for making train and stations accessible: "Accessible Train and Station Design for Disabled People: A Code of Practice".Department of Transport & Transport Scotland: "[http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/rail/railstations/accessiblestationdesigns/cop.pdf Accessible Train and Station Design for Disabled People: A Code of Practice]". July 2008. This code of practice was first published in 2002 with the objective of compliance to Section 71B of the Railways Act 1993,{{Cite web|title=Railways Act 1993 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1993/43/section/71B |website=legislation.gov.uk |language=en-GB |others=Expert Participation |access-date=2018-07-02}} and revised after a public consultation period in 2008.

Some transport companies have since improved the accessibility of their services, such as incorporating [[low-floor bus]]es into their stock as standard.{{cite web |title=Transport Committee Written evidence from Transport for London (TfL) (DAT 67) |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmtran/116/116we20.htm |website=Parliament.uk |access-date=17 January 2026}} In August 2021, [[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]] announced the streamlining of their accessibility services, allowing passengers requiring assistance to inform the company with as little as 10 minutes' notice at all 189 stations on its network, replacing an older scheme wherein assisted journeys had to be booked six hours to a day in advance. The system will utilise clear signage at stations and [[QR code]]s, allowing customers to send details of the assistance they require and their planned journey to staff remotely.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/aug/05/south-western-railway-launches-10-minutes-notice-assistance-scheme |title=South Western Railway launches 10 minutes' notice assistance scheme |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |date=5 August 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=5 August 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210805114212/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/aug/05/south-western-railway-launches-10-minutes-notice-assistance-scheme |archive-date=5 August 2021 }}

Some transport companies have since improved the accessibility of their services, such as incorporating [[low-floor bus]]es into their stock as standard.{{cite web |title=Transport Committee Written evidence from Transport for London (TfL) (DAT 67) |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmtran/116/116we20.htm |website=Parliament.uk |access-date=17 January 2026}} In August 2021, [[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]] announced the streamlining of their accessibility services, allowing passengers requiring assistance to inform the company with as little as 10 minutes' notice at all 189 stations on its network, replacing an older scheme wherein assisted journeys had to be booked six hours to a day in advance. The system will utilise clear signage at stations and [[QR code]]s, allowing customers to send details of the assistance they require and their planned journey to staff remotely.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/aug/05/south-western-railway-launches-10-minutes-notice-assistance-scheme |title=South Western Railway launches 10 minutes' notice assistance scheme |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |date=5 August 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=5 August 2021 |url-status=live }}

Making public services fully accessible to the public has led to some technological innovations. [[Public announcement]] systems using [[audio induction loop]] technology can broadcast announcements directly into the hearing aid of anyone with a hearing impairment, making them useful in such public places as auditoriums and train stations.

Making public services fully accessible to the public has led to some technological innovations. [[Public announcement]] systems using [[audio induction loop]] technology can broadcast announcements directly into the hearing aid of anyone with a hearing impairment, making them useful in such public places as auditoriums and train stations.