Bus

https://metro.co.uk/2019/09/28/bus-scheme-helps-people-hidden-disabilities-dignified-journeys-10824749/

Not all disabilities are visible. Some people need more help than others to access things many take for granted like public transport. First West of England bus company in Bristol have made cards for passengers who need more help, so that others can interact in ways that make them feel welcome.

Messages include, "Please speak slowly, I am hard of hearing,"; "Please wait for me to sit down in case I fall,"; "Please be patient, I have difficulty speaking." This means people don't have to let the whole bus know about ways they are different, they can just show the driver as they get on.

The cards happened because 18 year old Martha Pugh-Jones has a disability that means she is unable to stand for long periods; her heart rate increases. Recently as Martha sat in a "priority" seat on a bus, she was shouted at to move as people did not believe she had a disability.

The bus company worked with disability groups to make the cards. They say, "We understand that not all disabilities are visible and that everyone deserves a safe and dignified journey."

what do you see in the picture?
where is it taken?
who do you think the cards are for?

- "Not all disabilities are visible" what does this mean?
- why do you think people were shouting at Martha?
- why didn't Martha just tell people about her condition?
- "Please wait for me to sit down in case I fall," who needs to see that?
- if someone is worried about falling, why don't they just tell the driver when they get on the bus?
- The bus might be busy; why is showing a card to the driver a good idea?
- why did the bus company work with disability groups, why didn't they just make the cards themselves?
- "everyone deserves a safe and dignified journey" what does this mean?
- what can we learn from First West Buses?
- why is this about No Outsiders?

www.no-outsiders.com

No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the equality act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat