Autistica, the UK's leading autism research charity, has today published a report which reveals the obstacles and barriers that neurodivergent people face when using public transport. Funded by the Motability Foundation, the report, Neurodivergence and Public Transport: how to make public transport more accessible for a neurodivergent community, delves into the key barriers preventing neurodivergent people from using public transport how and when they want to.
At Autistica, one of our ambitious 2030 Goals is that public spaces will be more accessible for neurodivergent people. A vital component of this is public transport.
In the UK it is estimated that around 1 in 7 of the population is neurodivergent. This includes those who are autistic, have ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other neurodevelopmental differences.
Too many neurodivergent people find public transport inaccessible for numerous reasons. For example, someone's sensory differences might mean stations and vehicles are inhospitable environments, or the anxiety of navigating unpredictable, inconsistent services may leave neurodivergent people feeling excluded.
Understanding neurodivergent people's use of transport
During this year-long project we spoke with over 550 neurodivergent community members across five research activities. We found that some avoid public transport entirely, affecting their quality of life and drastically reducing their career options or access to medical care. This research discovered that nearly half (48%) of neurodivergent people are more likely to rely on public transport to travel for healthcare appointments compared to their neurotypical peers (30.6%), with disruptions to transport services potentially causing anxiety and distress, or in some cases meltdowns and shutdowns.
Neurodivergent people were less likely to drive regularly compared (39%) to neurotypical people (60%) so they are reliant on public transport, or other people, limiting their freedom and independence.
The barriers we identified
- Our research identified four key barriers experienced by neurodivergent people when using public transport:
- Design and physical infrastructure of vehicles and buildings, including the sensory environment.
- Information and communication factors, including what information is shared, and how.
- Inconsistency, uncertainty and unpredictability within public transport.
- The behaviour of others, including other users and neurodiversity knowledge of transport service staff.
The impact of these barriers means that neurodivergent people are not able to use public transport how and when they want to, and that they are unable to fully participate in activities at their destination, due to the energy spent navigating the barriers.
Five key areas for change
To address these challenges and gaps in existing knowledge, we have proposed 11 recommendations. These recommendations focus on five key areas:
1. Driving change through collaboration and research
To make public transport in the UK more accessible for neurodivergent people, we need a cohesive strategy and leadership. Much of the existing research into achieving this has focused on identifying the problem. Now, we need to invest in evidence-backed solutions developed in collaboration with the neurodivergent community.
2. Integrate and simplify
For many neurodivergent people, consistency helps with managing anxiety, information processing and decision making. Transport providers can reduce the uncertainty and unpredictability of public transport travel by standardising services and information. This will lead to neurodivergent people having more energy for the activities that public transport can help them access.
3. Maximising digital technology
Digital technology is already helping make transport more accessible but there's room for improvement. Solutions that could support neurodivergent people to travel can become a barrier when they lack accurate information, operating data infrastructure or connectivity. Consistent, accurate information and certainty of access to digital tickets and credentials can reduce anxiety, making transport more accessible.
4. Understanding neurodivergence
Attitudes and behaviours from other users and transport service staff can negatively impact a person's journey. They also have the potential to create a positive experience. Addressing gaps in knowledge, tackling stereotypes and highlighting how small actions matter can help everyone understand one another better.
5. Less crowded, more support
Overcrowding and lack of support staff can lead to neurodivergent people feeling unsafe, uncertain or experiencing sensory overwhelm. Travelling during quieter times is not always an option. Addressing overcrowding and improving passenger support could help more neurodivergent people travel comfortably at a time that suits them.
Our call to action
Many of the recommendations in this report align with previous initiatives. Several feature in The Government Inclusive Transport Strategy (2019), however many of these barriers
remain unaddressed. While there have been commendable initiatives towards better accessibility, these must be consistently implemented across all transport providers, and the people who benefit from them must be aware of their existence.
We hope that future work on accessible transport encompasses broader initiatives to include the full spectrum of diversity and intersectionality, alongside disability and older age. In doing this, we are recognising how overlapping factors can compound the challenges experienced by neurodivergent people and everyone using public transport.
The findings and recommendations in this report set out a strategy for how central and local governments, regulatory and standards bodies, transport operators, researchers, and developers can work with the neurodivergent community to build a neuroinclusive public transport network across the UK. Collaboration is crucial. By working together, we can make improve public transport for everyone.
About Autistica
Autistica is the UK's leading autism research and campaigning charity. Our mission is to create breakthroughs that enable all autistic people to live happier, healthier, longer lives. We do this by funding research, shaping policy and working with autistic people to make more of a difference.
