Travel West Midlands Signals Committment to Guide Dog Owners

Guide dog owners are being offered a ticket to ride, as Travel West Midlands signs up to the Guide Dog Travel Charter. The charter, a good practice guide, was recently launched by The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association as part of its ’Access for All’ campaign. The campaign is aimed at transport operators, appealing to bus, coach, train, ferry and airline companies to sign up and demonstrate commitment to accessible travel for guide dog owners. Guide dog owners continue to experience difficulties when using all forms of transport, despite a growing realisation amongst operators that offering adequate access to disabled people makes not only ethical, but also commercial good sense.The problems were highlighted in a nation-wide survey of guide dog owners that showed that nearly three quarters of those who use buses have encountered avoidable obstacles or hazards.Geraldine Peacock, Chief Executive of Guide Dogs, explains: "Like the guide dog, accessible transport provides mobility and independence. We are delighted that Travel West Midlands has signed up to the Charter. This demonstrates that it is committed to ensuring that its services are accessible to guide dog owners and other blind and partially sighted people." Brian Jackson, Chief Executive, Travel West Midlands says: "Travel West Midlands is keen to improve the experience of bus travel for all passengers which is why we have invested over £110 million in new easy access buses for the region. Making travel easier for blind and partially sighted people is a priority for us which is why we wholeheartedly support this Charter."For further information please see www.guidedogs.org.uk

Published 29th January 2003