Disabled People's Experiences of Transport to Access Employment or Training

1. Disabled People's Experiences of Transport to Access Employment or Training

You are invited to take part in a research study led by Disability Action, funded and supported by EPIC Futures at Ulster University which is a research programme funded through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Disability Action is a disabled people-led organisation working across Northern Ireland to promote disabled people’s rights, inclusion and independence. EPIC Futures is a research programme focused on understanding and addressing economic inactivity and labour-market exclusion in Northern Ireland.

This study explores how access to transport may affect disabled people’s experiences of seeking and securing employment, training or skills development.

Voluntary participation

Taking part is entirely voluntary. Choosing not to take part or withdrawing at any time will not affect your access to Disability Action or any other services.

What the survey will ask about

The survey includes questions about:

· Your employment situation or experience of economic inactivity

· The transport options available to you

· Accessibility including vehicles, stops, information and staff support.

· Reliability, timing and affordability of transport in relation to work or training.

· How transport barriers may affect job search and employment opportunities

· Your views on what changes would improve access to employment, skills or training.

You can take part if you:

· Are a disabled person aged 18 or over

· Have capacity to provide informed consent.

· Are seeking work, training, self-employment, or have experience of transport barriers affecting employment.

What participation involves

· Voluntary completion of an online survey that takes approximately 10-15 minutes.

· All questions are optional.

· You may skip any question.

· You may exit the survey at any time by closing your browser.

Confidentiality and data protection

· The survey does not ask for your name, address, date of birth.

· Your responses are anonymous.

· Data will be stored securely and accessed only by the research team.

· Findings will be reported only in aggregated or anonymised form.

· The study complies with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. You can find out more about how we look after your information at: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/about/governance/compliance/gdpr

· Some questions may prompt reflection on challenging experiences. If you would like support, Disability Action can provide information about relevant services.

Further support

If you would like to access support, Disability Action can provide information about relevant services please email nualatoman@disabilityaction.org for more information

What if I change my mind?

You can withdraw from the study at any time before data analysis begins. If you withdraw, your data will not be used where possible.

What will happen to the results?

The findings will be used to produce a research report, accessible summaries and policy briefings. Results will be shared with disabled people, policymakers and stakeholders to help improve transport and employment policy and practice. No individual participant will be identifiable.

Further information

If you would like further information about this study please contact Nuala Toman: email: nualatoman@disabilityaction.org

telephone: 028 9029 7880

It’s unlikely that anything will go wrong. However, if you wish to complain or have any concerns, please contact Professor Anne Marie Gray at am.gray@ulster.ac.uk. If your concern is not resolved, you can contact Ulster University’s Research Governance Office by email (researchgovernance@ulster.ac.uk)

Consent

By entering the survey you are consenting to participate.

There was an error on your page. Please correct any required fields and submit again. Go to the first error

Do you consider yourself any of the following? (please select all that apply)

A disabled person

A Deaf Person

A person with a long-term health condition

A Carer

A Supporter

A representative from a Disabled Person’s Organisation

A non-disabled person

Prefer not to say

Something else (please say explain)

Comment:

This is required

Please tell us about your experiences of employment, unemployment or seeking work (Write your answer below)

Do you use any of the following? (select all that apply)

Wheelchair

Mobility Scooter

Walking Aid

Assistance Dog

Communication support

I would rather not say

Other (please specify):

This is required

Please tell us about your experiences of the modes of transport you use (Write your answer below)

I experience barriers to accessing transport (select one option)

All of the time

Some of the time

Rarely

Never

I would rather not say

I have experienced the following barriers in public places whilst travelling (select all that apply)

A lack of dropped kerbs

Poorly designed pavements

Cars Pavement Parking

Street signage

I would rather not say

Other (please specify):

This is required

I have experienced the following barriers at Stations and/or Stops when travelling (select all that apply)

No step-free access at station

Lifts unreliable

Long walking distances

Poor signage

No accessible toilets

No Changing Places facility

No seating

I would rather not say

Other (please specify):

This is required

I have experienced the following sensory barriers when travelling (select all that apply)

Too noisy

Too bright

Crowded

Overwhelming environment

I would rather not say

Other (please specify):

This is required

I have experienced the following vehicle design barriers when travelling (select all that apply)

No wheelchair space available

Wheelchair space used for luggage

Seats unsuitable or painful

Vehicle moves before I am seated

Poor lighting or handrails

Inaccessible toilets onboard

I would rather not say

Other (please specify):

This is required

I have experienced the following staff and public attitudes when travelling (select all that apply)

Staff unavailable

Pre-booked assistance failed

Staff lacked training

Negative attitudes

Abuse or discrimination

Public unwilling to move from priority space

I would rather not say

Other (please specify):

This is required

To what extent do transport barriers affect your ability to access work (including paid work, self-employment, or job seeking)? (select one option)

Always

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Not applicable

I would rather not say

I have experienced the following barriers in accessing public transport (select all that apply)

Poor timetabling

Inability to travel to train or bus stop

Step free access not available

Ramp not provided

Staff or driver attitudes

Difficulty loading mobility aid

I would rather not say

Other (please specify):

This is required

I have experienced the following information and journey planning barriers while travelling (select all that apply).

Bus/train information not visible

Audio announcements unclear

No visual display

Poor accessibility information online

Difficult to book assistance

Journey planning tools inaccessible

I would rather not say

Other (please specify):

This is required

Have transport barriers affected your access to the following activities (select all that apply)

Getting to my workplace

Attending job interviews

Accessing training or education

Working my usual hours

Working overtime or flexible hours

Progressing in my career

I would rather not say

Other (please specify):

This is required

Please tell us about your experiences of using transport to access work (Write your answer below)

How affordable do you find transport for work or seeking work? (select one option)

Very affordable

Fairly Affordable

Neither affordable nor unaffordable

Fairly unaffordable

Very unaffordable

Not applicable

I would rather not say

To what extent does the cost of transport affect your participation in work, training or job seeking? (Select one option)

Prevents my participation

Makes participation much more difficult

Makes participation somewhat more difficult

Has little impact

No impact

Not applicable

I would rather not say

How often does the cost of transport create difficulties for you when travelling for work or work-related activities? (select one answer)

Prevents my participation

Makes participation much more difficult

Makes participation somewhat more difficult

Has little impact

No impact

Not applicable

I would rather not say

What is your gender? (select one option)

Male

Female

Non-binary

Prefer not to answer

Other (please specify):

This is required

What best describes your ethnicity? (select one option)

White or White UK (including Scottish / English / Irish / Welsh / European)

Asian or UK Asian (including Scottish / English / Irish / Welsh / European)

Black / African Caribbean or Black UK (including Scottish / English / Irish / Welsh / European)

Mixed ethnic background

None of the above

Prefer not to say

What kind of area do you live in? (select one option)

A city

A large town

A small town

A village

In the countryside

On an island

Prefer not to say

Do you consider yourself to be living on a low income? (select one option)

For a single person with no children this would be getting £285 or less per week (approximately £14,800 per year).

For a couple with no children this would be £430 or less per week (approximately £22,400 per year).

For a single person with children this would be £370 or less per week (approximately £19,200 per year).

For a couple with children this would be £610 or less per week (approximately £31,700 per year).

Yes

Prefer not to say

Please include your name and contact details if you are content to be contacted by Disability Action this information will be treated as confidential and Disability Action will only contact you regarding the matters you have raised in this survey.

Thank you for taking part in this survey.

Progress

1. Disabled People's Experiences of Transport to Access Employment or Training

Do you consider yourself any of the following? (please select all that apply)

What is your current employment status? (select all that apply)

Please tell us about your experiences of employment, unemployment or seeking work (Write your answer below)

Do you use any of the following? (select all that apply)

Which modes of transport do you use? (select all that apply)

Please tell us about your experiences of the modes of transport you use (Write your answer below)

I experience barriers to accessing transport (select one option)

I have experienced the following barriers in public places whilst travelling (select all that apply)

I have experienced the following barriers at Stations and/or Stops when travelling (select all that apply)

I have experienced the following sensory barriers when travelling (select all that apply)

I have experienced the following vehicle design barriers when travelling (select all that apply)

I have experienced the following staff and public attitudes when travelling (select all that apply)

To what extent do transport barriers affect your ability to access work (including paid work, self-employment, or job seeking)? (select one option)

I have experienced the following barriers in accessing public transport (select all that apply)

I have experienced the following information and journey planning barriers while travelling (select all that apply).

Have transport barriers affected your access to the following activities (select all that apply)

Please tell us about your experiences of using transport to access work (Write your answer below)

How affordable do you find transport for work or seeking work? (select one option)

To what extent does the cost of transport affect your participation in work, training or job seeking? (Select one option)

How often does the cost of transport create difficulties for you when travelling for work or work-related activities? (select one answer)

What is your gender? (select one option)

Please indicate which of the following age groups you fall into: (select one option)

What best describes your ethnicity? (select one option)

What best describes your religious identity? (select one option)

What kind of area do you live in? (select one option)

Please include your name and contact details if you are content to be contacted by Disability Action this information will be treated as confidential and Disability Action will only contact you regarding the matters you have raised in this survey.