Key findings

The policy to replace paper ferry vouchers with digital ferry vouchers had the potential to negatively impact some people for reasons relating to a protected characteristic, with age and disability the characteristics most likely to be affected.

To overcome this possibility, the project team adopted a user-centred design approach, which underpinned the entirety of the project life cycle. This involved investing considerable time and care towards understanding potential impacts on people receiving and using ferry vouchers.

Where negative impacts were identified, solutions to remove those impacts or mitigate them as best as possible were proposed. Before being adopted, they were taken out to the communities who might be impacted (older people, young people and disabled people) to check and validate their suitability.

As a consequence of the approach taken by the project team, the EQIA finds that there will be no or minimal negative impact on those with protected characteristics. The EQIA further finds that there is also real opportunity for positive impact for equality to be promoted.