Types of accessibility

Accessibility in the context of this document refers to a diverse range of access needs and challenges faced by bus users, which can affect their ability to access, interpret and utilise infrastructure and information at and around the bus stop.

To help identify the infrastructure and information provision needed, this document examines the following types of access needs:

• Physical accessibility: Supports people with physical impairments, including mobility scooter and wheelchair users, those using other mobility aids (including crutches, walking canes and frames), and people with hidden impairments, such as chronic pain, fatigue or severe breathing issues. These conditions affect people’s capacity to reach and wait at the bus stop, as well as board and alight the bus. Requirements include kerbs, shelters, step-free access.
• Sensory accessibility: Supports people with visual and hearing impairments. These affect people’s capacity to locate and access the bus stop, and be made aware of timetabling, approaching vehicles and change in schedules. Requirements include information in audio and visual formats and tactile cues.
• Cognitive accessibility: Supports people with neurodivergence or neurological conditions that affect memory, reasoning, communication and learning, such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and dyscalculia. These conditions affect people’s ability to process information and can trigger sensory overwhelm from sound, lighting, crowdedness or temperature. Requirements include clear, predictable layouts and minimisation of sensory overload, such as excessive noise or visual clutter.

Understanding this broad spectrum of impairments, and the ways these intersect, is important, as some people might have multiple conditions and complex needs.

“The inconsistencies in current designs at a local level and nationally mean that most disabled people are not currently having their access needs met in existing bus stop design. However, groups who feel particularly overlooked are those with hidden impairments, such as those who are neurodivergent, mental health, chronic illnesses or broader cognitive impairments.” – Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC)