Disabled Citizens' Inquiry: Giving disabled people a voice in walking and wheeling policy and practice

We believe walking and wheeling should be the most equitable mode of travel across the UK.

Everyone should have the freedom to walk or wheel independently around their neighbourhood.

But to achieve this, the experiences of disabled people need to be at the centre of policy, investment and delivery across the transport sector.

Streets that are difficult for disabled people to access and navigate can lead to poor health, reduced independence and increased isolation.

And alongside that, the cost-of-living crisis is disproportionately affecting disabled people.

52% of disabled people said the rising cost of living is affecting their ability to make essential journeys.

Bringing disabled people’s voices into the heart of decision-making can improve walking and wheeling for everyone.

That's why we're calling on local and national governments to give disabled people a voice when it comes to decisions that affect how they get around their local area.

The Disabled Citizens' Inquiry

We've teamed up with Transport for All to undertake UK-wide research funded by Motability.

This research looks at how disabled people experience walking and wheeling in the UK.

It provides recommendations made by disabled people to help decision-makers, and local and national government transport and planning teams make places and streets better for people.

Solutions designed by disabled people

The Disabled Citizens' Inquiry shares recommendations that have been developed by disabled people.

These solutions aim to make communities and neighbourhoods safer, more accessible and inclusive for disabled people.

The recommendations are:

1. Ensure disabled people inform walking and wheeling policy and practice

Disabled people need better representation in how decisions, funding and delivery happen, with a paid expert panel in all governments and local authorities. 
  

2. Create long-term dedicated pavement funding to maintain and improve pavements

Ring-fence funding to ensure that pavements are better maintained and made accessible.
  

3. Stop pavement parking and manage pavement clutter

Prohibit pavement parking and better manage street clutter such as outdoor dining and electric vehicle chargers on pavements.
  

4. Improve walking and wheeling crossing points across roads and cycle paths

Improve and increase crossing points, including more dropped kerbs on quieter streets and zebra or signalised crossings in busy areas.
  

5. Make wayfinding and journey-planning tools work for disabled people

Develop standardised guidance and practice for accessible wayfinding provision, with visual signage, and tactile and audio cues.
  

6. Ensure disabled people have a choice to live within walking or wheeling distance of services and amenities

Amend national planning guidance to ensure new developments are built in the right locations, and ensure local plans and decisions facilitate walkable and wheelable neighbourhoods.
  

7. Improve access to mobility aids

Review and address barriers to disabled people accessing mobility aids, ensuring people can access the right mobility aid when they need it.
  

8. Improve off-road routes

Develop guidance and invest in national plans for making offroad routes accessible and inclusive.
  

9. Improve the integration of walking and wheeling with public transport

Ensure fully accessible walking and wheeling access to and on public transport, including stations, and interchanges where disabled people need to connect between modes.