Today sees the launch of our trailblazing Resource Collection, a comprehensive database that currently consolidates 629 resource documents and projects, including research, strategies, and policy-related documents on accessible transport. This comes just weeks after our Transport Barriers Database was launched which highlights the transport challenges that disabled people face.
We have developed these initiatives as a significant step forward in providing robust evidence to improve transport accessibility for disabled people across the UK.
Key Findings and Features:
There are 366 organisations involved in producing, funding, or commissioning initiatives related to transport accessibility in the UK, along with 54 hubs such as research groups, living labs, and funding schemes. Despite this wealth of information, the evidence is not being effectively utilised to meet the needs of disabled people.
The Resource Collection is a live, open-source, interactive database that allows users to search by various categories, including document type, year of publication, impairment type, transport modes, region, authoring organisation, and journey stage. This was developed in collaboration with our Community of Accessible Transport (CAT) panel, which helped design and understand who and how individuals and organisations might access it and was then tested for accessibility. We welcome suggestions for additional resources at resourcecollection@ncat.uk and will continuously update the database with new material to ensure it includes the most current initiatives.
Empowering Decision Makers:
By bringing all these resources together in one place, the database empowers policymakers and transport professionals to make informed, evidence-based decisions. The work by ncat researchers highlights the urgent need to better utilise existing resources to address accessibility challenges. The Resource Collection highlight document can be found here.
Ongoing Initiatives:
ncat’s Accessible Transport Policy Commission is currently conducting its first-ever inquiry to develop a Policy and Regulation Roadmap for accessible transport in the UK. Over the past few months, the Commission’s parliamentarians have chaired five online roundtables, focusing on England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and nationwide regulations. These sessions featured discussions with disabled people, disabled people’s organisations, transport professionals, and policymakers. The findings will inform recommendations for national and devolved governments and guide ncat’s future work.
“At ncat, we believe that accessible transport is a fundamental right. Our new Resource Collection is a vital tool to ensure that policymakers and professionals have the evidence they need to make transport systems more inclusive. We invite everyone to contribute to this growing body of knowledge and join us in our mission to create a more accessible future for all.” Michael Edwards, ncat
Call to Action:
- Enhance Knowledge Production: Involve disabled people at all stages of knowledge generation and solution development. Address issues such as the devaluation of knowledge produced by the disabled community and the use of inappropriate engagement methods.
- Foster Collaboration: Promote greater collaboration within the transport sector and with other industries to enhance the usefulness and impact of knowledge, resources, and solutions.
- Contribute to Our Database: If you have research, policy, or resources to add to the Resource Collection, please send the URL and supporting information to resourcecollection@ncat.uk Your contributions will help build a robust evidence base.
- Join Our CAT Panel: If you are a disabled person or a transport professional, sign up for our CAT Panel to participate in our research and help shape the future work of ncat.
