A group for people with learning disabilities in the Wokingham Borough has developed an Easy Read Station Guide for Wokingham train station.
CLASP’s new accessible station guide is for those who face barriers to train travel.
CLASP was joined by Optalis, and the Wokingham Learning Disability Partnership Board (LDPB) at an event at Wokingham railway station.
Champions from the groups and representatives from Ability Travel met to raise awareness of learning disabilities and to share information about using train travel.
As well as using the guide, people can also access travel training support from Optalis Ability Travel team.
Donna Morgans, Optalis Head of Supported Employment says: “We are delighted to be part of this partnership to encourage more people to explore train travel.
“We look forward to sharing our Ability Travel support with those who wish to learn to travel independently.
“The station guide developed by CLASP is a brilliant tool that will be so useful to many people.”
The guide is written in Easy Read, an accessible format with pictures to support those who do not read words.
Debs Morrison, of CLASP’s CEO, explained: “The guide has been created using straightforward language that has been reviewed by our Easy Read panel, with photos taken with our members.
“It was an exciting project for us, and we hope to do more for the station teams going forward.”
Ability Travel and Wokingham Learning Disability Partnership Board team will continue to provide an ongoing presence at the station, to help people understand the Ability Travel programme, and to continue raising awareness of learning disabilities.
Michael Adlington, SWR’s Senior Accessibility Manager, said: “Travelling by train can be very challenging for anyone with disabilities, visible or non-visible, and while it is positive that a growing number of disabled people are using the railway, too many still feel unable to do so.
“South Western Railway is determined to make travel by rail more accessible for all and we’re delighted to support initiatives like CLASP’s station guide which can help us achieve that aim.”
The event was supported by deputy town mayor, councillor Sally Gurney, and members of Singhealthy Choir.
