The National Transport Authority (NTA) and Ireland’s Autism Charity, AsIAm, have today launched a campaign to promote the “Prepare Me AsIAm for Public Transport” initiative. This aims to enhance accessibility and ease of use for autistic individuals and their families across the Transport for Ireland Network.
One in sixty-five people in Ireland are autistic
According to AsIAm, one in sixty-five people in Ireland are autistic and AsIAm often uses the analogy of a crowded train station in a foreign country to portray how life can feel for many autistic people. With a series of unfamiliar sounds, smells and incomprehensible directions, it would be easy for anyone to become overwhelmed.
How-to videos and activity packs
The “Prepare Me AsIAm for Public Transport” campaign aims to provide helpful tools, which include how-to videos and activity packs, to Autistic people to help them navigate public transport in Ireland.
These resources introduce transport environments and procedures, allowing users to build familiarity with journey expectations in advance. With resources made available both online and in print, the initiative aims to make Ireland’s public transport more inclusive and accessible for autistic individuals, providing greater independence and confidence in using the network.
The ‘Prepare Me As I Am’ initiative is a major step toward inclusivity
Naomi Rooney, Transport Accessibility Manager for the NTA said: “The NTA is committed to ensuring our public transport system serves all passengers, including those in the autistic community. The ‘Prepare Me As I Am’ initiative is a major step toward inclusivity, giving people the support needed to confidently and comfortably navigate public transport services, making a positive impact on so many lives.”
Adam Harris, CEO of AsIAm, said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with the National Transport Authority through our suite of “Prepare Me As I Am for Public Transport” resources. Accessing public transport is key to enabling the participation of Autistic people, across the life cycle, in so many aspects of community life. Autistic people often face accessibility barriers when preparing to travel on rail, bus and LUAS services. This in turn prevents Autistic people from having the same chance to live, work and play in the community. This suite of resources will help members of our community to prepare for their journeys across public transport services – reducing anxiety and overwhelm promoting independence and enhancing accessibility”
The initiative builds on the success of last year’s campaign and ongoing efforts to enhance the transport accessibility across the Transport for Ireland Network.
For more information, please visit www.transportforireland.ie/accessibility/as-i-am/.