Transport and the economy

Memorandum from North of Tyne Transport Group (Supported by Inclusion North) (TE 32)

Where has this information come from?

The information below has been brought together by a group from the North East region. Most of this group belong to their local Learning Disability Partnership Boards. It includes the views of the group and views taken from a North East regional event attended by 150 people. The group is supported by Inclusion North.

The focus of the event was to make transport the best that it can be for disabled and older people in the region. This group want to carry on this work and includes:

· Voluntary and community sector representatives

· Local authority representatives

· Self advocates

· Regional transport executive representatives

Overview

People with learning disabilities (and the disabled community) do not have the same life chances and opportunities as the non disabled community. This includes:

· Access to health services

· Access to Education

· Access to Employment

One of the main barriers to these life chances is access to the right transport in the right place at the right time.

This means people with learning disabilities (and often their family members) do not get the same life chances to become full citizens who can make their full contribution to the local and national economy.

The main headings

1. Better access to public transport would mean that disabled and older people would have better access to their area (and beyond). This means they could contribute to local businesses and tourism.

2. Better access to transport would mean that more people with learning disabilities could get into paid jobs and move away from state benefits. This includes people starting up their own ‘micro-enterprise’ creating work for themselves and others.

Many people with learning disabilities also volunteer. To keep this going access to good transport is essential. The move towards big society means that volunteering will be a big part of this and people with learning disabilities have a big part to play.

3. Access to the right transport means people with learning disabilities often experience ill health. One person said that not having access to public transport meant he felt depressed at not being able to see his friends and family. He also had little chance of getting a job due to transport issues.

The result was that he would often spend (expensive) time in hospital being treated for depression.

4. Personalisation (choice and control) - This gives disabled and older people the chance to spend the money they are entitled to for their support in a much more flexible and cost affective way. This includes moving away from expensive block transport contracts.

For example; people with a personal budget might use this money to pay for a friend or neighbours road tax. In return they would give them lifts to where they want to go.

Another example might be paying towards some bodies’ season ticket to the football. In return the person would receive support to use public transport to get to the match.

September 2010