Would you make space for a family with a disabled child on a train?

[UnbeatenMum]

AIBU to think that most people would see a disability pushchair with a child who is around 6-7 and realise the child is disabled? So if they don't make space for you on a train it's not because they haven't realised? We travelled on several trains during half term and our experience was quite mixed. Ended up with his pushchair half blocking the aisle on two occasions because no one moved for us (in the wheelchair section, all non-wheelchair users or their suitcases or baggage taking up the space). My son was fine but I had to sit on the floor and then get him off the train without help because the rest of the family had walked up the train to find seats. AIBU or would I have had a better experience if he had a wheelchair? I should say a couple of people did offer us a seat but overall it wasn't great.

To be fair, I probably would have thumped you

Personally I've found people are more helpful now my son uses a wheelchair than when he was in his disability pushchair. I remember trying to get on the bus with the pushchair and the driver commenting that my son was too old to be in a pushchair.

When he's in the wheelchair, people couldn't be more helpful. The vast majority of the the people who didn't need to be in the disabled section of the train moved willingly. Those that didn't were moved on by the guard/conductor.

Yes, you need to be more assertive. When I was on crutches, I travelled only by bus (tube or train would have been too challenging). And typically there were people sitting in the disabled seats. Sometimes they saw me and moved, sometimes they didn't (see me). In which latter case, without apology, I would simply say that I needed the seat. And when they moved - which invariably they did - I then said thank you. But I never apologised beforehand for existing on crutches or prefacing with a 'oh I'm terribly sorry - but oh would you mind...'

If I hadn't noticed you/your charge and you asked me to move for the wheelchair, I would do so in a heartbeat. But if I heard you making snidely passive aggressive comments like you've suggested, I would blank you. Sorry

In my experience, people go to extraction lengths to either stare for far too long, or avoid any possibility of eye contact. Probably worried that disability might be contagious. On a train people are already engaged in avoiding everyone else, so I doubt many would notice

Start practicing your best head teacher voice and get loud, stern but polite. Direct people what is needed,so they don't just sit and wait for someone else. I may have been known to accidentally catch the ankles of teenagers crowding round the bus stop if they don't pay attention to my warnings.