Methodology
This report was conducted through desk-based research.
The report primarily drew from internal project documents from DES document archives, and through project documents from Transport Scotland, including delivery plans, preparatory documents, progress reports, stakeholder engagement exercises and transport provider data.
The report used publicly available data such as the Disability and Transport Survey, Scottish Household Survey, Bus, and Rail Passenger Experience Survey from Transport Scotland, etc.
The report also utilised DES Weekly Poll archive, webinar reports, and previous reports and project documents pertaining to the ATF. These were all vital sources of information throughout the development of this report.
Through immersion in and analysis of the weekly poll data, members surveys, webinars and webinar reports, the report took this predominantly qualitative data collected from DES’s membership base and positioned this data in relation to the indicators set out in the original ATF, Transport Scotland’s goals and indicators set out in their annual delivery plans, and also the quantitative data gathered through Transport Focus and other annual data collection points.
By looking at these two datasets together and considering the project plans, work packages, and goals laid out in the ATF the report then summarised some of the key findings from this research process, and presented a series of recommendations which put forward suggestions on monitors and indicators which could be put in place, beneficial projects which could be funded, and approaches to and prioritisation of areas of the ATF which are priority issues for disabled people travelling in Scotland currently.
Using lived experience data from the DES membership, specifically analysing the weekly poll data from 2023 back to its initiation 2020.
The report also conducted some data collection exercises including a four-part series via the DES Weekly Polls, these surveys were voluntary and anonymous, and were circulated to DES’s membership base in October and November 2022. This series focused on access to information and experiences of communication in relation to travel across various modes of transport. As early analysis of the components of the ATF’s 48 issues showed that information access and channels of communication were found to be two of the most pressing areas which needed to be developed across all modes of transport in order to meet many of the goals of the ATF.
The data from this weekly poll series was collated into a report which was shared with our members via the DES website. Following a thematic analysis to explore the trends from this dataset, a series of values were created based on these findings and these have gone on to inform the recommendations to develop qualitative indicators for all work packages and priority areas being carried forward to the end of the ATF’s lifespan and beyond.
As part of this project a webinar looking at the future of the ATF’s priorities was hosted by DES, in collaboration with Transport Scotland in February 2023. The testimonials and feedback gathered through this exercise were summarised into a report made available to the DES membership. The webinar report also informed this report and its recommendations.
The report took a thematic analysis approach to analysing trends in the datasets from lived experience testimonials in DES Weekly Polls and the emerging thematic trends were then used to propose qualitative progress indicators. The trends indicate specific values which disabled people hold when it comes to their travel experiences. (For more see Qualitative Progress Indicators)
The recommendations from this report are informed by and reflect the lived experiences of DES’s membership. These have been reflected upon throughout the research process, and the voices of disabled people have been used to inform the reasoning behind, alongside considering the original ATFs indicator and monitoring structure previously implemented.
The recommendations of this report aim to provide suggestions and guidance on how to move forwards with the work of the ATF in closing the mobility gap and working towards accessible transport for all. Supporting this work by advising the implementation of projects, indicators, and reporting/monitoring supporting systems which will support Transport Scotland in collaboration with many actively involved stakeholders such as DES and MACS, to collectively deliver these priority actions. With input and guidance from disabled people in Scotland, working towards ensuring safe, accessible, and inclusive travel for all.
Accessible Travel Framework background
The ATF was published in 2016. The framework was based on consultation and conversation between key stakeholders, including disabled people in Scotland, organisations who work with and advocate for the rights of disabled people in Scotland, Transport providers and Transport Scotland. The Framework was co-produced by the ATS.
The framework’s priorities are upheld, and its issues worked towards by Transport Scotland alongside other key stakeholders such as the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland, DES and many more organisations. For further information see: Accessible Travel Framework - Accessible Travel Hub
The ATS Group includes organisations of and for disabled people, transport service providers, local government, and Transport Scotland. They were to meet quarterly to hold a discussion about how best to implement, monitor and adapt the ATF.
The event report findings voiced concerns about some of the potential risks which need to be considered throughout the lifespan of the framework.
Identified risks:
- “Continued gaps in knowledge and understanding through failure to achieve concordance with Transport Providers
- Length of time taken to effect changes across larger stakeholders
- Staff lacking knowledge or authority to accommodate or make reasonable adjustment.
- Failure to collaborate systematically.
- Failure of accountability mechanisms”
We can see from the concerns above and from issues raised more recently via feedback at webinars and via weekly polls, that many respondents did not know what was being done towards the goals of the framework. Examples found in the Accessible Travel weekly poll series conducted in late 2022.
Further to this, many respondents raised issues with lack of knowledge and understanding from staff more generally. This was also raised as a vital issue in the Discussing the Future of the ATF webinar hosted in February 2023.
any attendees raised concerns that whilst positive changes can be seen in journey planning, in preparatory stages of travel and more in-depth up to date training and services are being offered across some transport modes, many respondents raised that they were experiencing issues during the journey itself, coming up against barriers when staff are not aware of services offered or how to provide important support and passenger assistance.
Within the framework itself the steering group is referred to as a point of conversation which facilitates collaboration between key stakeholders and companies who provided support services for disabled people in Scotland.
It is vital to the work of the framework that all these stakeholders have regular facilitated space to communicate, update, and develop solutions to the identified priorities of accessible travel in Scotland, which is a shared goal for all stakeholders involved, and the ATS group, supported by Transport Scotland, is a vital component of facilitating conversations and collectively guiding and contributing to the work of the ATF.
This Steering Group was also put in place as a way of problem-solving the concerns raised about knowledge gaps and the need to facilitate collective action.
The framework states that:
“Part of the work of the organisations participating on the Steering Group will be to ensure that their members are kept informed about the action plan and given a voice on transport issues right back to the centre of government”
Throughout the monitoring and evaluation section of the ATF primarily covered in Part six and seven of the document, we can see that the steering group’s role was to provide collective conversation and guidance which would support in both the delivery of these outcomes but also as one of the key methods of overseeing and implementing some of the qualitative progress indicators and evaluation monitors.
Accessible Travel Framework outcomes
There are four identified outcomes to the Accessible Travel Framework:
Outcome 1
More disabled people make successful door-to-door journeys, more often. This outcome is about helping all disabled people use the transport system in its broadest sense, as often as they want to.
Outcome 2
Disabled people are more involved in the design, development and improvement of transport policies, services, and infrastructure. This outcome is about the rights of disabled people to be, and the necessity of disabled people being, involved in all aspects of transport to show what works for them.
Outcome 3
Everyone involved in delivering transport information, services and infrastructure will help to enable disabled people to travel. This outcome is about the importance of ensuring people working at all levels of the transport system can understand the needs and wishes of different people with different support needs. This includes needs arising from mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments, mental health problems and other often hidden disabilities.
Outcome 4
Disabled people feel comfortable and safe using public transport – this includes being free from hate crime, bullying and harassment when travelling. This outcome is about the experiences of disabled people during journeys – making sure people don't feel anxious, confused, or worried, and that disabled people aren't subject to abuse or mistreatment including hate crime.
All of these outcomes work towards the overarching vision of the document which is that all disabled people can travel with freedom choice and dignity as other citizens.
As part of the implementation, monitoring and evaluation work of the ATF outlined in Part 6 and 7 of the document, a high-level action plan was put together outlining actions broken down in six key areas under three central themes.
Theme 1 National guidance and standards
This theme focuses on creating guidance and information, outlining the best practices of providing accessible transport for disabled people and ensures the quality of accessible travel and transport.
Area 1
Developing principles and charters for travel accessibility across modes.
Area 2
Developing national guidance and good practice for accessible travel issues.
Theme 2 Information and customer service
This theme focuses on improving access and availability of travel and transport information, ensuring inclusive and accessible forms of communication and information are provided and updated.
Area 3
Improving availability of accessible information to plan and make journeys.
Area 4
Enabling staff to support disabled people through awareness and training.
Theme 3 Engagement and participation
This theme focuses on facilitating and incentivising engagement, collaboration, and participation from disabled people in the planning and implementation of impactful changes to travel services in Scotland.
Additionally, it looks at finding ways of facilitating and supporting co-production, a way of involving citizens, particularly those who may be affected by potential changes in the process of planning and implementing changes to public polices and services.
Area 5
Co-production of transport policy and practices
Area 6
Sharing experiences, feedback, knowledge, and learning.