In article ,
Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 19:37:13 on Sun,
30 Dec 2012, Mike Bristow remarked:

ps. I'm a bit disappointed that TfL (like many others) conflate
'disabled' with 'in a wheelchair'.

They don't.

From your link below:

Disabled badge I need step free access...

Yes. That disabled badge is the International Symbol of Access. It is
used to indicate where access has been improved for all disability issues
(although there is more of a focus on using it where the improvment is for
mobility issues, in practice).

There are many other disabilities
which can significantly affect people's ability to use public transport,
but aren't affected by step-free-ness.

Indeed; and TfL have sensible policies for helping those with visual
imparments (VIPs!), for example.

That's another small category - what about the rest?

TfL do a lot (they could do a lot more, of course). Things like
high-contrast floring and poles where approprate; good signage;
good staff training; MIP lifts; information on their web site;
the fact that trains these days have automated audible annoucments;
the fact that trains these days have automated visual annoucments;
tactile flooring; and so on.

They are by no means perfect - Peter White and my wife travelled
between Heathrow and Stratford several times in the run up to the
paralympics to highlight access issues to TfL, of which there were
many - but I do not doubt TfLs willingness to do more than mere
lip service.

But if that's all they mean by "disabled access", then they have
performed the conflation.

It isn't. They (try and) deal with sensory and mobility imparements
through better design; intellectual and psychological issues are
delt with through training. They do a reasonable job and many
of their staff have a very good understanding of disability issues
(and TfLs failings in this regard).

Cheers,

--
Mike Bristow

Mike Bristow wrote:
In article ,
Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 19:37:13 on Sun,
30 Dec 2012, Mike Bristow remarked:

ps. I'm a bit disappointed that TfL (like many others) conflate
'disabled' with 'in a wheelchair'.

They don't.

From your link below:

Disabled badge I need step free access...

Yes. That disabled badge is the International Symbol of Access. It is
used to indicate where access has been improved for all disability issues
(although there is more of a focus on using it where the improvment is for
mobility issues, in practice).

There are many other disabilities
which can significantly affect people's ability to use public transport,
but aren't affected by step-free-ness.

Indeed; and TfL have sensible policies for helping those with visual
imparments (VIPs!), for example.

That's another small category - what about the rest?

TfL do a lot (they could do a lot more, of course). Things like
high-contrast floring and poles where approprate; good signage;
good staff training; MIP lifts; information on their web site;
the fact that trains these days have automated audible annoucments;
the fact that trains these days have automated visual annoucments;
tactile flooring; and so on.

They are by no means perfect - Peter White and my wife travelled
between Heathrow and Stratford several times in the run up to the
paralympics to highlight access issues to TfL, of which there were
many - but I do not doubt TfLs willingness to do more than mere
lip service.

As an aside, it took me quite a while of Y&Y listening to even realise that
the wonderful Peter White was blind. He copes impressively well, and far
better than most of us would do if we ever lost our sight. He rarely
mentions his disability and never moans (as well as being an excellent
presenter, regardless of sight).

What about those disabled people whose leg motions make it easier for them to walk upstairs than walk on the flat?

In message , at 00:00:20 on Mon,
31 Dec 2012, Mike Bristow remarked:

TfL do a lot (they could do a lot more, of course).

What I'm exploring is whether the 28 stations which are being improved
over the next several years are having anything done to them apart from
being made step-free.

And one of the problems with many step-free solutions is that they
involve considerable detours, which may not be suitable for those who
have difficulty walking but don't use a wheelchair.

Think about how to get from Euston Rd to the Victoria Line at KX/StP for
example. A minimum of three lifts, that could hardly have been put
further apart from each other if they tried.
--
Roland Perry

On Mon, 31 Dec 2012 08:02:01 +0000, Roland Perry wrote:

Think about how to get from Euston Rd to the Victoria Line at KX/StP for
example. A minimum of three lifts, that could hardly have been put
further apart from each other if they tried.

I made the journey via Waterloo / Underground / StP to catch HS1 services
to North Kent exactly once. Never again. Back to Victoria services.

--
Denis McMahon,

In message , at 09:35:45 on Mon, 31 Dec
2012, Denis McMahon remarked:

I made the journey via Waterloo / Underground / StP to catch HS1 services
to North Kent exactly once. Never again. Back to Victoria services.

Do they stop at Stratford? If so I think I'd use the Jubilee Line and
DLR, if starting from Waterloo.
--
Roland Perry

In message , at 10:49:05 on
Mon, 31 Dec 2012, Paul Corfield remarked:
I made the journey via Waterloo / Underground / StP to catch HS1 services
to North Kent exactly once. Never again. Back to Victoria services.

Do they stop at Stratford? If so I think I'd use the Jubilee Line and
DLR, if starting from Waterloo.

Of course South Eastern's HS1 services stop at Stratford. I'm
gobsmacked that you seem not to know this.

Just checking. What with the Olympics and everything, you can never be
too careful.

Which reminds me, have they removed the top-cladding on the
International platforms (to allow use by Javelins) yet?
--
Roland Perry

On Sun, 30 Dec 2012 16:27:50 +0000, Paul Corfield wrote:

On Sun, 30 Dec 2012 15:40:11 +0000 (UTC), martin_petrov
wrote:

TRANSPORT for London has announced that 28 train stations – including
two in the Croxley Rail Link

Is the full list available anywhere? Have googled around, but can't find
anything other than a few individual stations.

I have done some digging on from the recent press release and found this
document. It does list the 28 stns in the appendices.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloa...ble-transport-
network.pdf

Thanks! Not too many surprises, but it does list H&I getting step free as
a National Rail system by 2014, which implies they'd be putting in lifts
from the Great Northern (or however best to describe it) which seems
surprising. Obviously the high level platforms are already sorted.

In message , at 15:24:01 on Mon, 31 Dec
2012, martin_petrov remarked:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloa...ble-transport-
network.pdf

Thanks! Not too many surprises, but it does list H&I getting step free as
a National Rail system by 2014, which implies they'd be putting in lifts
from the Great Northern (or however best to describe it) which seems
surprising. Obviously the high level platforms are already sorted.

I'm a bit more surprised at the apparent plan to install lots of lifts
at Finsbury Park. Oh well, we'll have to see what happens.
--
Roland Perry

On Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:04:57 +0000, Roland Perry wrote:

In message , at 15:24:01 on Mon, 31 Dec
2012, martin_petrov remarked:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloa...ble-transport-
network.pdf

Thanks! Not too many surprises, but it does list H&I getting step free
as a National Rail system by 2014, which implies they'd be putting in
lifts from the Great Northern (or however best to describe it) which
seems surprising. Obviously the high level platforms are already sorted.

I'm a bit more surprised at the apparent plan to install lots of lifts
at Finsbury Park. Oh well, we'll have to see what happens.

If ever there was a station that could do with COMPLETELY rebuilt from
scratch, it's Finsbury Park.