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Original poster

Tomorrow I'm going to Stratford London Station to discuss and help improve Disabled Train Assistance!

20 replies

Elderflower14 · 11/04/2023 21:25

It's been in the pipeline for some time but tomorrow is the day... Ds2 deaf, autistic and dyspraxic) has had some woefully shocking disabled assistance at the station so we have been invited to go and have a meeting with staff and discuss and hopefully educate them about how it should be done.
This came on the back of two members of staff leaving ds2 to get an enormous suitcase a huge bag of presents a rucksack and himself on the train at Christmas.. He then.had to find the guard to tell them which carriage he was in so they could alert his arrival station.
I sufficiently put the wind up the train company that the man at Norwich rang the arrival station four times to make sure they were ready for him.... The arrivals station had a wheelchair ready.. He didn't need it but it was useful for the suitcase! Ds2 is coming with me and they apparently want him to tell them how it makes him feel when he is let down.. (I think they might regret that!! 🤣 🤣)
I will feedback how it went tomorrow night!

Tomorrow I'm going to Stratford London Station to discuss and help improve Disabled Train Assistance!
OP posts:
Techno56 · 11/04/2023 21:27

Good luck!

N008 · 11/04/2023 21:32

Ooh, not sure if this is the sort of thing you are going for but:

I travel with wheelchair-using DD and I find it frustrating that we are expected to plan and book which train we are getting in advance (so they are ready with a wheelchair ramp) - non-disabled people can just hop on the nearest convenient train but wheelchair users have to pre-plan. Not sure what the solution is but this isn't it.

Needmorelego · 11/04/2023 21:37

Good luck. I hope they listen carefully, take on ideas and actually implement them 🙂

Original poster
Elderflower14 · 11/04/2023 21:37

N008 · 11/04/2023 21:32

Ooh, not sure if this is the sort of thing you are going for but:

I travel with wheelchair-using DD and I find it frustrating that we are expected to plan and book which train we are getting in advance (so they are ready with a wheelchair ramp) - non-disabled people can just hop on the nearest convenient train but wheelchair users have to pre-plan. Not sure what the solution is but this isn't it.

I would suggest speaking to the train company and see what their response is.
I saw a shocking story on Euston Station Twitter page where a wheelchair user was told three times he didn't need a ramp to board a train. Each time he told them he did. The fourth time they went to get the ramp. When the staff returned the passenger was on the platform and the train had left without him!! 😡 😣

OP posts:
Gilead · 11/04/2023 21:38

Have always found Norwich and Peterborough very good for wheelchair using dd. Birmingham not so much.

Original poster
Elderflower14 · 12/04/2023 08:58

Today's the day... Little bit nervous but ds2 has messaged me and said I will be fine. Best friend has messaged me and said I will smash it.. Hope so!!

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 12/04/2023 09:01

Good luck. I hope they listen. I think the bit about how it makes him feel is just so crucial. So they see people who need some help as a person, not just a problem, or “passenger x”. I’m sure you’ll be brilliant!

buonnatale · 12/04/2023 09:03

Lots of luck. And thank you for speaking up (as a fellow mother of a deaf child).

Original poster
Elderflower14 · 12/04/2023 20:33

Good Evening. Got home earlier.
It all went really well. At one point I had four different train men following me through the station as I went to collect ds2! I felt somewhat powerful!! 🤣 🤣 🤣
They listened to all I said. I suggested that if they wanted to communicate with ds2 that they typed on their phones and showed him..
They have taken copies of the paperwork and will share with other staff..
I also offered to put together some basic sign language words for staff to keep ie Good Morning/Afternoon /Evening... Train, emergency, delay, late etc.
The accessibility manager was an absolute sweetie. He said he could only apologise for what had happened in the past, that they have learnt from it and hope that in the future things will improve..
We discussed hidden disabilities at length as i have dyspraxia too...
Ds2 told them how it makes him feel when things go wrong and I told them the long term impact. IE the worry that goes from ds2 to me and then to my elderly mother. Also that he doesn't just switch off when he gets off the train and that for the rest of the day he keeps asking if it was his fault... 😔
Here's hoping that things will continue to improve!

OP posts:
Original poster
Elderflower14 · 12/04/2023 20:55

☺ ☺ ☺ ☺

OP posts:
Original poster
Elderflower14 · 13/04/2023 11:00

☺

OP posts:
Motnight · 13/04/2023 11:08

Elderflower14 · 12/04/2023 20:33

Good Evening. Got home earlier.
It all went really well. At one point I had four different train men following me through the station as I went to collect ds2! I felt somewhat powerful!! 🤣 🤣 🤣
They listened to all I said. I suggested that if they wanted to communicate with ds2 that they typed on their phones and showed him..
They have taken copies of the paperwork and will share with other staff..
I also offered to put together some basic sign language words for staff to keep ie Good Morning/Afternoon /Evening... Train, emergency, delay, late etc.
The accessibility manager was an absolute sweetie. He said he could only apologise for what had happened in the past, that they have learnt from it and hope that in the future things will improve..
We discussed hidden disabilities at length as i have dyspraxia too...
Ds2 told them how it makes him feel when things go wrong and I told them the long term impact. IE the worry that goes from ds2 to me and then to my elderly mother. Also that he doesn't just switch off when he gets off the train and that for the rest of the day he keeps asking if it was his fault... 😔
Here's hoping that things will continue to improve!

Op this sounds amazing, well done to you and your ds. Can I ask are you going to get paid for this work? Experts with lived experience are often not treated as professionals, and are expected to give their time for free. I hope that this isn't the case for you.

SouthCountryGirl · 13/04/2023 11:22

N008 · 11/04/2023 21:32

Ooh, not sure if this is the sort of thing you are going for but:

I travel with wheelchair-using DD and I find it frustrating that we are expected to plan and book which train we are getting in advance (so they are ready with a wheelchair ramp) - non-disabled people can just hop on the nearest convenient train but wheelchair users have to pre-plan. Not sure what the solution is but this isn't it.

You can turn up but whether you'll get assistance isn't guaranteed.

I booked assistance and someone didn't. I was told that I should get on the train myself. I had to point out that as someone who needs sighted guidance, this isn't possible. (I have fallen through the gap before) He helped her and then me. I had just enough time to get my train.

Original poster
Elderflower14 · 13/04/2023 14:21

Motnight · 13/04/2023 11:08

Op this sounds amazing, well done to you and your ds. Can I ask are you going to get paid for this work? Experts with lived experience are often not treated as professionals, and are expected to give their time for free. I hope that this isn't the case for you.

Show quote history

Not paid.. I do it because I want things to improve for my ds and others! ☺ ☺ ☺

OP posts:
Original poster
Elderflower14 · 13/04/2023 14:22

SouthCountryGirl · 13/04/2023 11:22

You can turn up but whether you'll get assistance isn't guaranteed.

I booked assistance and someone didn't. I was told that I should get on the train myself. I had to point out that as someone who needs sighted guidance, this isn't possible. (I have fallen through the gap before) He helped her and then me. I had just enough time to get my train.

Show quote history

If you don't get the help you booked complain EVERY time!!! That's what I do.

OP posts:
lookeelikee · 13/04/2023 14:27

Ask them how you get from Stratford to Stratford International if you're disabled?

Original poster
Elderflower14 · 13/04/2023 14:51

lookeelikee · 13/04/2023 14:27

Ask them how you get from Stratford to Stratford International if you're disabled?

DLR or in ds2 case he walks through Westfield.

OP posts:
Motnight · 13/04/2023 15:21

Elderflower14 · 13/04/2023 14:21

Not paid.. I do it because I want things to improve for my ds and others! ☺ ☺ ☺

Show quote history

That is so kind and lovely. But I am annoyed on your behalf that you aren't being paid.

SouthCountryGirl · 13/04/2023 15:23

Elderflower14 · 13/04/2023 14:22

If you don't get the help you booked complain EVERY time!!! That's what I do.

Show quote history

Had to do this so many times and nothing changes

Original poster
Elderflower14 · 13/04/2023 15:50

SouthCountryGirl · 13/04/2023 15:23

Had to do this so many times and nothing changes

Show quote history

I had this so I contacted his MP... I really rattled their cage!!

OP posts:
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