Table of Contents
For many people, traveling by plane, train or bus is fun! However, for people with sensory sensitivities, transportation is often overwhelming and contributes to sensory overload. Regardless of whether it’s a plane, train, or bus, there are several parts of the travelling or simply commuting that make it stress-inducing. As a result, many people avoid travel. For many people too, the stress and anxiety of their daily commute contribute to their ill-health. Make plane, train and bus terminals sensory-friendly and transportation become accessible and inclusive to more people.
What makes terminals inaccessible?
Even for travelers without disability, better accessibility helps everyone. Conference speakers as part of the Sensory Friendly Solutions 55 + Travelers: Arriving and Thriving Audio Conference shared barriers to great transportation experiences:
- Travel information is not easily understood
- Travel updates and announcements are only shared verbally
- Limited customer service
- Lack of accessibility services at train stations, bus stations and airports
- Inaccessible features of communication, such as on devices like touch screens
Ultimately, the type of barrier that a traveler experiences is specific. However, improving accessibility, helps all travelers. For example, people who are blind have difficulty viewing travel updates or navigating around large airports. However, many, many travelers have changes in their vision. Furthermore, people who use a wheelchair might have difficulty with the physical accessibility bus and train terminals and airports. Moreover, many, many travelers have difficulty walking long distances. Think of older persons who may use a cane or have less endurance. Families with young children. Infants and toddlers in strollers. Announcements will not be understood by travelers who are Deaf, but many people have hearing loss and hearing aids do not solve the problem!
How to create a sensory-friendly transportation terminal experience?
There are many ways to make a travel experience a more enjoyable and sensory-friendly experience. Below are easy and effective strategies to be sensory-friendly, accessible and include more people.
Present travel information in a clear manner
An easy solution for travel companies to make their information more accessible. Present printed or digital information with clarity. For example, make sure that fonts and background meet contrast ratio. Include alt text for images. An easy rule to follow is to keep everything simple. Too much colour, fancy font and an overwhelming amount of unnecessary pictures is confusing.
Another important aspect to consider is to also present important information in Braille. Providing information in Braille ensures greater independence for travelers who are blind or with low vision.
Have both auditory and visual updates
Furthermore, is crucial that travel updates are both auditory (heard) and visual (read) for a sensory-friendly transportation experience. For example, all announcements should be said in a clear and slow tone. Moreover, it is helpful if this information is repeated more than once at intervals. Additionally, present visual information clearly on screens without flashing and/or moving font. Be sure to use clear and simple fonts, large font sizes and simple colour schemes.
Offer diverse mobility accessibility services
People move around differently! Offer diverse mobility accessibility services to help people get to their bus, train or plane! For example, include:
- Sighted guides and assistance to bring travelers to their departure location.
- Priority boarding for people who self-identify as needing extra assistance. Disability is not always visible!
- Wheelchairs.
- Shuttle services like golf carts to transport travelers longer distances in a terminal or station.
These features create accessible, inclusive, sensory-friendly terminals and are extremely beneficial for people with mobility impairments, people who use canes or walker, older adults and families pushing strollers or with young children. Additionally, many people rely on these accessibility services to travel at all. Your sensory-friendly terminal at a train, plane or bus station make a big difference.
Provide exceptional customer service
The last aspect of travelling that is important is providing travelers with a positive customer service experience. Many people with sensory sensitivities will experience elevated stress levels while travelling and require more support. According to a research article titled, “Personalized Tourist Guide for People with Autism” by Cena et al (2020), sensitive sensitivities are associated with straying from unfamiliar routines1. Therefore, it is very common for people with sensory sensitivities, or any type of disability to need additional assistance with the travelling experience.
For transportation operators, having enough, trained staff delivers exceptional return on investment. Think of the additional time and disruption to service when any traveler experiences difficulty. Great customer service gets noticed. All travelers are happier when there are fewer delays. Reduce traveler problems by proactively putting solutions in place. Staff are also happier when things go smoothly. Have staff ready to help! Train staff about disabilities and accessibility. Your operation will reap the rewards.
These strategies will help you create a sensory-friendly terminal for planes, trains and buses, that all commuters and travelers will enjoy.
Learn more:
- Complete a self-assessment quiz to determine how sensory-friendly your business or organization is.
- Get access to the free Sensory-Friendly 55+ Travelers Audio Conference.
Read more blog posts:
Be Part of Our Sensory-Friendly Movement!
Join 1,100+ newsletter subscribers who learn about sensory overload and how to apply simple, sensory-friendly solutions.
Source
- Cena, F., Mauro, N., Ardissono, L., Mattutino, C., Rapp, A., Cocomazzi, S., Brighenti, S., & Keller, R. (2020). Personalized Tourist Guide for People with Autism. Adjunct Publication of the 28th ACM Conference on User Modeling, Adaptation and Personalization. https://doi.org/10.1145/3386392.3399280
Christel Seeberger, BSc. O.T., is a regulated health care professional with over 30 years of experience in sensory disorders, disabilities and adapting environments. As someone with a hearing disability, Christel brings her personal lived experience with an invisible disability, sensory sensitivity and sensory overload to her work. In 2016, she founded Sensory Friendly Solutions to create a more sensory-friendly, accessible, and inclusive world through training, certification, product licensing, and product recognition. Christel’s expertise has been featured in guest blogs, as a radio and podcast guest, and in interviews with numerous media outlets, including CBC, CTV, Global News, AMI, Yahoo Life, the Globe and Mail, and local Fox TV/News.
