Nationwide scheme to boost disabled people’s confidence in train travel

[whole diary]

[Red Squirrel]

All of Britain’s rail companies are now recognising Sunflower lanyards and cards so that passengers with non-visible disabilities can travel with extra confidence. The move coincides with the expected lifting of restrictions on people shielding next week.

All train operators and Network Rail are now signed up to the Sunflower scheme, designed to enable people with non-visible disabilities to discreetly let others know that they might require a little more time, support or assistance. It comes as ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ people, some of whom may wish to use the Sunflower lanyards and cards, are expected to no longer be asked to shield and so may be considering taking the train.

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Source: Rail Delivery Group

[grahame]

For those who have hidden disabilities and cannot wear a facemark, there are also face shields available - see https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/sunflower-face-shield.html .   Obviously these offer more protection than nothing ... and noting that many people at work use similar, how are they in terms of level of protection?

[Bmblbzzz]

For those who have hidden disabilities and cannot wear a facemark,

Is this a sort of tattoo?
 

I haven't seen any comparison of effectiveness of face shields versus masks. They are being worn by hairdressers and similar now. In terms of protecting the wearer (though of course this is not what masks are really for) they might be better, as they shield the eyes as well. In terms of protecting others, they are open at the bottom, allowing droplets to fall unimpeded, but look as if they should be decent protection against coughs and sneezes. Maybe.

[IndustryInsider]

In addition to this, there's a nationwide change coming next month which means those wishing to pre-book assistance, who currently have to do so by 22:00 the night before, will be able to book assistance up to six hours before.  That's hoped to be reduced further to two hours during next year.

[ChrisB]

Meanwhile, a number of TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) as well as the NRE^▸ (National Rail Enquiries) website (and Network Rail!) - have decided to go OTT^▸ (Open Train Times website, or possibly 'over the top', depending on context) (over the top) in HRH Prince Philip mourning, by changing their website colour scheme to greyscale!!!

No consideration of the loss in accessibility by doing this, oh no. Those with sight problems can go to hell for a week while they signal-mourning to their heart's content.

NRE on twitter this morning then spelt Philip's name wrong by using two L's instead of one. Needless to say, go and look at twitter if you want to see a pile on - this time totally deserved.

I suspect the RDG^▸ (Rail Delivery Group, or Reading station, depending on context) had something to do with this, as most TOCs piled on to change & signal - thanks go to the few (GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) & Chiltern amongst them who only made limited changes which didn't affect the accessibility of their website.

Those with illegal websites -

Network Rail
NRE
XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise))
LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about)
Northern
Scotrail
TfW^▸ (Transport for Wales) Rail
Arriva Rail London

...and counting. Be interested to see just how quickly accessibility returns!

[ellendune]

NRE^▸ (National Rail Enquiries) (National Rail Enquiries) is already back to to its true colours