Image: Sustrans
A new report paints a ‘stark picture’ of how ‘inaccessible and dangerous’ neighbourhoods and communities have become for disabled people.
The report is the culmination of a six-month-long Disabled Citizens’ Inquiry, coordinated by Sustrans in partnership with Transport for All to look at how disabled people experience walking and wheeling in the UK.
An accompanying Ipsos survey asked more than 1,100 disabled people what would help them walk or wheel more.
Some 73% believe stopping vehicles parking on pavements, 79% feel funding to maintain and improve pavements and 88% said services provided within walking distance of where they live.
Meanwhile, 79% would like to see a panel of disabled people that reviews walking and wheeling policy and holds government to account.
Coordinating the findings, Sustrans has released recommendations to make communities and neighbourhoods safer, more accessible, and more inclusive for disabled people.
These include:
- Prohibiting pavement parking to make communities more accessible
- Creation of a long-term dedicated pavement fund to improve and maintain pavements
- Ensuring disabled people can be within walking or wheeling distance of services and amenities by creating communities with accessible services close to where people live through better planning
Xavier Brice, CEO of Sustrans, said: “Our report clearly demonstrates that understanding the barriers disabled people experience getting around their neighbourhoods is imperative in creating an equitable society.
“Putting disabled people at the centre of discussions about how we plan and create spaces where we can all move around easily and safely is vital.
“The UK government must listen and take action to create places planned around people, not cars.”
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