Bus Passenger Survey and National Rail Passenger Survey Definition of Disability

In their analysis of the two surveys, Transport Focus apply a different definition of disability than is used in the analysis of the Scottish Household Survey.

The definition used in the Transport Focus analysis is essentially whether respondents had a long term physical or mental health condition. It does not apply the second element used in the Scottish Household Survey definition, which requires that the long term health condition reduces the individual’s ability to carry-out day-to-day activities.

As a broad indicator of the difference between the two definitions of disability, in the Scottish Household Survey 78% of people with a long-term condition had their ability to carry out activities reduced.