News and Events

Emma Partlow seated at enclosed desk with assistance dog Luna by her side. To her left is a large standing poster for ncat which reads 'Shaping the future of accessible transport' and has a qr code on it.

News

Emma Partlow joins ncat as new CEO

We are delighted to welcome Emma Partlow to the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) today as she joins us…

Madeleine Hughes25 November 2025

Train carriage waiting at platform. Door is open with assistance ramp in place to platform. Person in wheelchair on blue background symbol is pictured on the train next to the door.

News

Enacting and Building on the UK Government’s Accessible Railways Roadmap 

The UK Government’s Accessible Railways Roadmap sets out seven priority areas to make rail travel more inclusive.1 At ncat, we are pleased that many of these priorities echo…

Madeleine Hughes24 November 2025

Female wheelchair user in blue dress waits on train platform behind tactile paving. Train, tracks and station to her left in the image.

News

New research highlights human-centred design as key to improving public transport accessibility

Today at ncat, we are publishing a new research project led by consortium partner, Designability, which explores the critical role…

Cathryn Thompson-Goodwin11 November 2025

News

Motability Foundation marks three years since it awarded the landmark grant to ncat

Lisa Jones, Chief Operating Officer at Motability Foundation gave the following comments "At the Motability Foundation, our work is driven…

Cathryn Thompson-Goodwin5 November 2025

One male and two female discussion participants sitting at a round wooden table outside a building. A reception sign is visible in the background.

News

New Report Reveals How Public Behaviours Impact Disabled People’s Travel Experiences

Today, we’ve released findings from focus groups conducted to inform our published report, Invisible Barriers, which explores the travel experiences…

Madeleine Hughes16 October 2025

News

ncat appoints its new CEO – Emma Partlow

We’re delighted to announce that Emma Partlow has been appointed as ncat's new Chief Executive Officer. Emma will officially assume…

Cathryn Thompson-Goodwin1 October 2025

woman in blue coat walking away from camera using mobility aids. She is in Coventry Pool Meadow Bus station. About a dozen members of the public in winter coats are sitting in the station, reading a timetable or walking towards the exit.

News

New ncat Funding Targets Barriers in Vehicle Stops, Travel Assistance, and Transport Information

ncat is pleased to announce that it is launching its second round of Scaling Innovation Programme funding today. The programme,…

Cathryn Thompson-Goodwin25 September 2025

Woman using mobility aids is standing at the Visitor Information desk in Coventry Pool Meadow Bus Station. There are lots of leaflets on the desk and a staff member is slightly obscured by the leaflets on the other side of the desk.

News

Let’s Talk Complaints: Building a Better Journey for Disabled Passengers

Calling all UK transport operators, let’s explore how complaints handling can work better for disabled passengers.We’re launching a new research project to…

Madeleine Hughes16 September 2025

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson (centre) chairing Accessible Transport Policy Commission Event. There is a semi circle of tables with eight people (six male, two female) sitting behind them facing the camera. A standing poster sits behind them reading 'National Centre for Accessible Transport'. They are in the House of Lords and a very large old painting hangs on the wall behind them.

News

NEW REPORT: ncat Publishes New Roadmap Designed to Tackle Transport ‘Postcode Lottery’ for Disabled People

The UK’s transport system is failing disabled people, with a lack of consistent accessibility across the country making travel a…

Madeleine Hughes9 September 2025

Six boxes with different statistics in them. Top left says 84% of 'Please offer me a seat' badge users have an invisible impairment. This comes from TfL research. A small icon of a badge is depicted. Top middle says '34% of non-disabled responders were unaware the sunflower lanyard indicates a hidden disability'. There is a small illustration of a sunflower lanyard. Top right says '83% of respondents think extra luggage space by seats would free up priority seats' next to a illustration of suitcases. Bottom left reads ' 42% non-disabled respondents believe people don't give up priority seats because they're unaware they're in them' next to an illustration of two priority seats. Bottom middle reads '32% of non-disabled respondents felt having an injury or access need was a valid reason to park in a disabled space' next to a priority parking sign. Bottom right reads '30% stated that education for 4-12 year olds would be extremely impactful in changing public attitudes' next to an illustration of two children.

News

Public Attitudes Negatively Affect Disabled People’s Travel Experiences

This week we have published, ‘Invisible Barriers’ , a new report which explores what interventions across the transport sector would…

Madeleine Hughes20 August 2025

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