First autism friendly railway launched by Northern

[thenorthern]

Just seen this:

First autism friendly railway launched by Northern

Northern has joined forces with Community Rail Lancashire and the National Autistic Society to develop the UK’s first autism-friendly railway line.

The project launched earlier this week on the Todmorden Curve line between Accrington, Burnley Manchester Road and Manchester Victoria.

There are around 700,000 autistic children and adults in the UK, as well as three million family members. Autistic people would like the same opportunities to travel like everyone else but can struggle in public places.


The National Autistic Society is now training Northern staff working on the line about how they can deliver the best possible experience and support for autistic customers and others with hidden needs.

There are also specialist resources available including sunglasses and ear defenders to assist passengers who may have sensory needs (subject to availability) and detailed line guides for families to download and help them prepare for their journey.

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2019/08/first-autism-friendly-railway-launched-by-northern.html

Seems a good idea and I wonder if it will catch on.

 

[Bromley boy]

Seems like an excellent idea, especially the training that will hopefully raise awareness of autism amongst staff. Good for Northern!

Let’s hope other TOCs follow suit.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I'm sure many autistic passengers have their own safety measures whilst travelling but this is most welcome.

Well done to Northern and hope their actions set a precedence to other TOCs

 

[thenorthern]

I have an Aspergers Diagnosis so I will be traveling on the line to try this.

I was talking to a friend of mine though and she commented that all trains must be autism friendly as a train fascination is common for people with Aspergers.

 

[KashmireHawker]

Being Autistic myself, I am pretty pleased to see such a move; knowing the stress it can be sometimes to travel on the network.

 

[Jocques]

A good idea in theory, although the added accessories in this situation are probably not a fantastic idea. Usually measures are taken by parents and carers of autistic people; mentioning the availability of the accessories will lull people into a false sense of security and then there'll be the inevitable complaints when something isn't available ('subject to availability' is frequently seen as 'yeah, there'll be enough').

Otherwise, anything that makes life easier for people is only a positive thing.

 

[route101]

I have an Aspergers Diagnosis so I will be traveling on the line to try this.

I was talking to a friend of mine though and she commented that all trains must be autism friendly as a train fascination is common for people with Aspergers.

Yeah , its common , same with buses too . Fascinated as to why ?

 

[Journeyman]

Yeah , its common , same with buses too . Fascinated as to why ?

It's because they're technical things that represent predictable processes, order and logic, and aren't vague, touchy-feely things that people on the spectrum can struggle to understand.

 

[Peter C]

Hopefully this idea will catch on and be introduced across the entire network. The incident with GWR staff at Paddington mocking a mother and her autistic son a year or two ago really annoyed me and in my opinion all railway line should be autism-friendly.
All trains should be autism-friendly as well, as well as buses, as people above have mentioned that those with autism often have an interest in trains and buses.

-Peter

 

[route101]

It's because they're technical things that represent predictable processes, order and logic, and aren't vague, touchy-feely things that people on the spectrum can struggle to understand.

Explains why i dont reality TV then.

 

[johntea]

I’m sure Keighley station had a banner up promoting something similar recently

 

[DarloRich]

not sure how I feel about this tbh. I am sure there are people who suffer really badly with this problem and I want them to be supported and helped but would it not be better to equip someone to develop proper coping mechanisms to help them function "normally" in the real world rather than giving them a pair of ear muffs and marking them out as different?

I am not trying to cause an argument btw just not sure this helps anyone beyond a business looking like they care and garnering a bit of free publicity.

 

[Peter C]

not sure how I feel about this tbh. I am sure there are people who suffer really badly with this problem and I want them to be supported and helped but would it not be better to equip someone to develop proper coping mechanisms to help them function "normally" in the real world rather than giving them a pair of ear muffs and marking them out as different?

I am not trying to cause an argument btw just not sure this helps anyone beyond a business looking like they care and garnering a bit of free publicity.

I think you have a valid point here, but I know quite a few people with autism and trying to get them to function "normally" is seen as being extremely old-fashioned*; if people have an issue with someone wearing earmuffs or not acting exactly like themselves, they should reconsider their life morals; people are all different.
I would hope that this plan by Northern really works and that it is rolled out across the country, as it should be.

-Peter

 

[Jocques]

I am sure there are people who suffer really badly with this problem and I want them to be supported and helped but would it not be better to equip someone to develop proper coping mechanisms to help them function "normally" in the real world .

Possibly one of the most ill-informed posts I've seen here. Patronising, condescending and clearly written by someone with no knowledge of what autism is.

What you've effectively proposed is that autistic people should go away and be excluded until they've got over their silly little brain problem and can rejoin society.

That's really not on.

 

[DarloRich]

Possibly one of the most ill-informed posts I've seen here. Patronising, condescending and clearly written by someone with no knowledge of what autism is.

What you've effectively proposed is that autistic people should go away and be excluded until they've got over their silly little brain problem and can rejoin society.

That's really not on.

I haven't said anything of the sort! All I ask is a piece of PR fluff the best way to help people? Will this equipment really have a positive effect on peoples lives and help them to use the train? Or, is it just a way of getting a bit of cheap publicity?

I will also point out you have no idea what experience I have of autism. Thanks.

 

[Jocques]

I haven't said anything of the sort! All I ask is a piece of PR fluff the best way to help people? Will this equipment really have a positive effect on peoples lives and help them to use the train? Or, is it just a way of getting a bit of cheap publicity?

I will also point out you have no idea what experience I have of autism. Thanks.

How do you figure this is cheap PR? The cost of the equipment, plus training staff (and therefore taking them off duty) will easily outweigh the handful of people who will specifically make a journey because its more friendly to people on the spectrum.

It seems you have no knowledge at all of ASD if you're cynical enough to think this is a PR stunt and don't appreciate that they're trying to help.

 

[DarloRich]

How do you figure this is cheap PR? The cost of the equipment, plus training staff (and therefore taking them off duty) will easily outweigh the handful of people who will specifically make a journey because its more friendly to people on the spectrum.

I am cynical. I am cynical preciously because of my experience with autism that you seek to discount. If you think this will help people, really, then I am happy to accept that. I am not sure.

 

[FGW_DID]

Whilst it’s great to see projects such as this, the very fact it’s Autistic SPECTRUM disorder, an approach that may work for one person may not work for the next 5 but definitely raising awareness in staff is certainly worthwhile.

My step-son is autistic, what works with him, may not necessarily work with some of his autistic friends who I know from his school / college and his SEN rugby team he used to play for.

Btw he has no interest in trains or buses whatsoever, he does love Thomas the Tank Engine but that’s only because it was on TV, made into a film and out on DVD!

 

[Peter C]

Whilst it’s great to see projects such as this, the very fact it’s Autistic SPECTRUM disorder, an approach that may work for one person may not work for the next 5 but definitely raising awareness in staff is certainly worthwhile.

My step-son is autistic, what works with him, may not necessarily work with some of his autistic friends who I know from his school / college and his SEN rugby team he used to play for.

Btw he has no interest in trains or buses whatsoever, he does love Thomas the Tank Engine but that’s only because it was on TV, made into a film and out on DVD!

An interesting point - it is important to note* that people are all different, even if they are all "autistic". I hope that they will go for the option of telling staff the correct way to deal with any situations and other important information relating to autism.

-Peter

*I'm not saying that I'm perfect when it comes to autism and the autistic spectrum, but I try to be as respectful as possible.

 

[Bayum]

not sure how I feel about this tbh. I am sure there are people who suffer really badly with this problem and I want them to be supported and helped but would it not be better to equip someone to develop proper coping mechanisms to help them function "normally" in the real world rather than giving them a pair of ear muffs and marking them out as different?

I am not trying to cause an argument btw just not sure this helps anyone beyond a business looking like they care and garnering a bit of free publicity.

Some people with autism will unfortunately never have the skills to be able to develop skills to help them function on a daily basis. Others will be able to develop some coping skills - the use of sunglasses or ear defenders, social stories telling of the planned situation so they can begin to rehearse prior to something that isn’t in their daily life or schedule. Ear defenders and sunglasses are part of those coping strategies by reducing the amount of sensory stimuli. Everyone forgets things - we see it all the time of train tickets, luggage or whatever else. So imagine someone who is trying to remember all of those things necessary to travel to get to the station and realise you’ve forgotten your ear defenders.

 

[Bromley boy]

not sure how I feel about this tbh. I am sure there are people who suffer really badly with this problem and I want them to be supported and helped but would it not be better to equip someone to develop proper coping mechanisms to help them function "normally" in the real world rather than giving them a pair of ear muffs and marking them out as different?

I am not trying to cause an argument btw just not sure this helps anyone beyond a business looking like they care and garnering a bit of free publicity.

I think the most useful thing will probably be the training for staff to raise awareness of the condition. Autistic people whose sensory perception needs require them to wear ear defenders etc will more than likely already carry their own.

I am also generally cynical about this kind of thing, especially where TOCs are involved(!), but anything that raises awareness of “hidden” disabilities is welcome in my view.

 

[DarloRich]

I think the most useful thing will probably be the training for staff to raise awareness of the condition. Autistic people whose sensory perception needs require them to wear ear defenders etc will more than likely already carry their own.

I am also generally cynical about this kind of thing, especially where TOCs are involved(!), but anything that raises awareness of “hidden” disabilities is welcome in my view.

very happy to agree! The training is the key output.

 

[Sleeperwaking]

Some people with autism will unfortunately never have the skills to be able to develop skills to help them function on a daily basis. Others will be able to develop some coping skills - the use of sunglasses or ear defenders, social stories telling of the planned situation so they can begin to rehearse prior to something that isn’t in their daily life or schedule. Ear defenders and sunglasses are part of those coping strategies by reducing the amount of sensory stimuli. Everyone forgets things - we see it all the time of train tickets, luggage or whatever else. So imagine someone who is trying to remember all of those things necessary to travel to get to the station and realise you’ve forgotten your ear defenders.

Your comment about rehearsing / preparing in advance is quite illuminating, thanks. I think they've tried to cover this aspect by publishing booklets for the route with details of where / how long tunnels are, information about every station, and a list of things to do if something goes wrong.

 

[Peter C]

Your comment about rehearsing / preparing in advance is quite illuminating, thanks. I think they've tried to cover this aspect by publishing booklets for the route with details of where / how long tunnels are, information about every station, and a list of things to do if something goes wrong.

Now that's a good idea. Knowing what is going to happen pretty much to the minute can be good for some with autism. It's excellent that they are doing this; if those with autism need to know what's going to happen for the whole day to ensure they can have a somewhat calm day*, that's a good thing.

-Peter

*Not having a go at, or mocking, those with autism here. Just stating something.

 

[FGW_DID]

Now that's a good idea. Knowing what is going to happen pretty much to the minute can be good for some with autism. It's excellent that they are doing this; if those with autism need to know what's going to happen for the whole day to ensure they can have a somewhat calm day*, that's a good thing.

-Peter

*Not having a go at, or mocking, those with autism here. Just stating something.

Which is all well & good if the “timetable” does happen to flow smoothly. Not so good when ‘real life’ happens and things / times change! It’s getting the person to cope / adapt with those situations.
For some it’s big changes that tip them over into ‘meltdown’ mode, for others it may be the most inconsequential change that triggers them!

 

[Peter C]

Which is all well & good if the “timetable” does happen to flow smoothly. Not so good when ‘real life’ happens and things / times change! It’s getting the person to cope / adapt with those situations.
For some it’s big changes that tip them over into ‘meltdown’ mode, for others it may be the most inconsequential change that triggers them!

Fair point. As I said earlier, I know a few autistic people and a couple of them like everything to be the same. When something different happens, I would hope that the people caring for them/people on the railway* would do something to help which would be effective.
As much as it may seem funny to some, and I'm not saying it's funny to you, meltdowns are not the person's fault and often it is due to a change which they don't like, or sometimes just a change, full stop.

-Peter

*Only in specific circumstances, such as those were a parent/carer/friend is not nearby or with them

 

[unlevel42]

Thank you Northern.
You have raised the level of awareness on this forum at least and the some of the difficulties involved in travel.

My son is autistic/dyslexic and a graphic designer and has studied how modern signage impedes access by disadvantage people to services.

As far as Transport is concerned, London has by far the best signage in the country as the historical branding and standardization of symbols and typography gives clues to what is relevant and important when trying to get around.
Ticket barriers are brilliant for a whole lot of reasons.

Sheffield railway station is an example where the combined effect of multiple and changing TOCs have failed disadvantaged people.
No barrier.
Information point often un-staffed.
Ticket office staff always helpful.
Guards brilliant.
Drivers are very mixed. Didn't they used say "Ask the driver, as they know where they are going?", well some apparently some don't want to share that secret anymore. Some are very very good.
Franchise typography constantly changing.
Best "Help Point" is the Supertram entrance where you will normally find plenty of working staff in a variety of uniforms.

 

[Sprinter153]

I have a diagnosis of ASD.

We had ‘training’ to support autistic people when I was at GWR, but it ended up being delivered by my local management along the lines of ‘autistic people are an inconvenience and an operational risk, here is how to mitigate this’.

In my experience such initiatives are PR-driven tokenism. It’s a shame because there is bugger all support available particularly if you are diagnosed in adulthood as I was.

 

[PBarnesHST]

not sure how I feel about this tbh. I am sure there are people who suffer really badly with this problem and I want them to be supported and helped but would it not be better to equip someone to develop proper coping mechanisms to help them function "normally" in the real world rather than giving them a pair of ear muffs and marking them out as different?

I am not trying to cause an argument btw just not sure this helps anyone beyond a business looking like they care and garnering a bit of free publicity.

not sure how I feel about wheelchairs tbh. I am sure there are people who suffer really badly with this problem and I want them to be supported and helped but would it not be better to equip someone to develop proper coping mechanisms to help them function "normally" in the real world rather than giving them a wheelchair and marking them out as different?

I am not trying to cause an argument btw just not sure this helps anyone beyond a business looking like they care and garnering a bit of free publicity.

 

[30907]

not sure how I feel about wheelchairs tbh...

Parallel drawn, but I think you have overlooked DarloRich's later and more nuanced comment.