Transport challenge marks 40 years

Tuesday 10th April 2012

Disabled young people will tweet their experiences of taking part in a four-day public transport challenge.

Four people from Disability Wales (DW) and two support workers will take to social networking site Twitter as they travel around Wales by bus and train describing any problems they face.

The challenge has been designed to mark the charity's 40th anniversary. Over the last four decades, DW has campaigned to remove barriers which make it hard for disabled people to travel independently.

The All Aboard challenge, in conjunction with Pembrokeshire Young Voices For Choices (PYVC), will start from Haverfordwest station on April 17 and return on April 20.

The participants will enjoy overnight stays in Wrexham, Aberystwyth and Carmarthen and be joined by Welsh Assembly Members, MPs and representatives of DW's member organisations along the route. they will also write up comments on the charity's Facebook page.

Rhian Davies, chief executive of DW, said: "The All Aboard Access Challenge is an ideal opportunity to celebrate our 40th anniversary while drawing attention to what disabled people most often identify as a major obstacle to equality and independence: lack of access to public transport.

"Barriers in the transport system including staff attitudes and poor communications have far reaching consequences, and prevent many disabled people from taking up educational, employment and social opportunities.

"I am delighted that Pembrokeshire Young Voices For Choices and all the transport sponsors have accepted the challenge and I look forward to joining them and hearing about their experiences."

The challenge has the backing of Arriva Trains Wales, Arriva Bus, and Express Motors.

To follow the group visit http://www.twitter.com/disabilitywales or http://www.facebook.com/disabilitywales.

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