88% of disabled people say services provided within walking distance of where they live would help them walk or wheel more. Rowan lives in Swansea with her family and was diagnosed with autism aged 14. In this blog, she tells us about the challenges she experiences when making local journeys. As a participant of our Disabled Citizens’ Inquiry, she also shares her thoughts on what needs to change to make travel safer and more accessible for autistic people.
Rowan, pictured on the right with other participants from the Disabled Citizens' Inquiry. Credit: Tom Hughes/色情Porn
鈥淎utism makes lots of things in my life difficult.听
鈥淚 struggle with social dynamics and get overwhelmed by things like noise, lights or having people too close to me.听
鈥淚 hardly go out on my own and rely on lifts from my mum if I need to be somewhere.
鈥淔eeling like I can鈥檛 easily get around affects my social life and my opportunities.
鈥淚 want to work, but when I got a job interview at a supermarket, it was just too far away.鈥听
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Walking needs to feel safe
We asked Rowan to tell us about making journeys on foot. She explained:
鈥淲hen I鈥檓 out walking on my own, I look at the floor constantly.听
鈥淚 blinker myself and wear headphones to avoid getting overstimulated.
鈥淭o walk anywhere, I need to feel I鈥檓 in a safe environment.听
鈥淩ecently we moved to a new neighbourhood which feels safer than where we used to live.
鈥淭his means I can now take our dogs out for walks sometimes.鈥
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Travelling on public transport with autism
We asked Rowan how she experiences public transport. She told us:
鈥淚f I go somewhere by myself, I have to plan my journey in detail.听
鈥淚 always need to be in control of a situation.
鈥淚f anything goes wrong, even something small, I experience sensory overload and feel very upset.听
鈥淛ust getting on a bus can be hard.听
鈥淏eing asked questions about the type of ticket or my age can make me panic.听
鈥淯sing the bus station is a total no-no, I find the smells and sounds overwhelming.听
鈥淭here are too many lights and too many people close to me.鈥
No bus pass means less walking
Rowan explained that travelling independently by bus was much easier when she had a bus pass.
鈥淚t gave me real security, as I could just put my headphones on, keep my eyes down, show my pass and not talk to the driver.
鈥淏ut now I鈥檝e been told I鈥檓 鈥榥ot disabled enough鈥 to qualify.听
鈥淟osing my pass has made me feel too scared to go out and travel on my own. 听
鈥淧eople who make these decisions have to recognise that a disability like autism can create as many barriers to getting around as a physical disability.鈥听
The removal of Rowan鈥檚 bus pass not only means fewer bus journeys, but fewer walking journeys too.
Though walking to and from bus stops is not without its challenges, these trips did offer Rowan exercise and fresh air.听
This time which was once spent outdoors is now spent indoors or in her mum鈥檚 car.
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Kindness can make all the difference听
We asked Rowan to tell us about positive journeys she鈥檚 made, and what makes it easier for her to get around. She explained:
鈥淚 had a really good experience on the train from Swansea to Cardiff to meet a friend.听
鈥淚鈥檇 done loads of planning before the journey, but when I got to the station, it was really crowded as there was a Stereophonics gig on.听
鈥淚 felt so overwhelmed.
鈥淭he lady in the ticket office was an angel.听
鈥淲hen she saw I was struggling, she printed off train times for me and even opened another till.听
鈥淥n the train, I sat in the first quiet place I could find.听
鈥淲hen I realised I鈥檇 chosen a First Class carriage by mistake, I started to have a panic attack.
鈥淥nce I found that seat, I just felt like 鈥業 can鈥檛 go back, I can鈥檛 reverse鈥.听
鈥淏eing told I鈥檇 got that stage of the journey wrong would have thrown me completely. 听
鈥淭hankfully, I had my card which explains I have autism.听
鈥淭he conductor was so kind and let me stay there.听
鈥淚t was people鈥檚 kindness that day that made the difference.
鈥淚f everyone was like them, my life would be so much easier.鈥
The challenges of a hidden disability 听
鈥淭ravelling with a friend who has a physical disability opened my eyes to what a different experience he has.
鈥淗e uses a wheelchair, and it was like having a superpower as everyone moved out of the way.
鈥淎 physical disability is obvious and people know what to do straight away.听
鈥淏ut when people look at me they鈥檙e not sure; they鈥檙e doubting.听
鈥淚鈥檓 so thankful my friend gets that response.听
鈥淏ut with me, sometimes people just don鈥檛 get it and that鈥檚 when I panic.鈥 听
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The transport sector needs to understand autism
鈥淎utism and other hidden disabilities need to be recognised and understood just as much as physical disabilities.
鈥淓specially by the people who make decisions on our local communities, infrastructure and transport.
鈥淧eople who work for bus and train companies also need autism awareness training.听
鈥淭hey could wear a badge, so I鈥檇 know who will understand me if I approach them.
鈥淭hat would make such a difference.
鈥淢ore support needs to be there for us, otherwise there鈥檚 a risk autistic people will become reclusive. 听
鈥淭he barriers I experience when going from place to place are different, but just as valid.鈥
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Read Kate Ball's guest blog about making journeys with her neurodiverse children.
