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Championing the cause of inclusion
Stephen Brookes MBE continues his work to make the UK’s railways accessible for disabled users, albeit in a new capacity
Stephen Brookes MBE follows his threeyear tenure as Rail Sector Champion for the Minister for Disabled People, which ended in April 2021, with his appointment as Rail Policy Adviser for leading pandisability charity Disability Rights UK.
It is, in Stephen’s words, a role that is “even more intense” than that of Rail Sector Champion. He will continue to work closely with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), Office of Road and Rail (ORR), Network Rail and industrywide accessibility bodies.
He continues to be a member of the Department for Transport Inclusive Strategy Policy Group and will also continue to work closely with the Cabinet Office Disability Unit. His role with Disability Rights UK is a continuity of his long-term ambassadorial role with the charity.
Cause of inclusion Stephen is a disabled person and for 25 years has been a researcher, lecturer, speaker and chair specialising in disability, equality, and diversity.
His work championing the cause of inclusion for disabled people, particularly in the transport sector, was recognised when he was named in the 2021 Shaw Trust Disability Power 100.
Stephen said: “Being named in the Power 100 is really useful, I’m delighted with the recognition and it’s an important asset because it means I can say ‘look, I know what I’m talking about’.
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We’re working towards an end which is to improve the lot of disabled people in whatever line of accessibility is required. Ensuring accessibility is the ultimate aim so that people can travel without any issues at all.”
The impact of COVID-19 has undoubtedly set back progress made in recent years and, during the pandemic, ground made in engagement with disabled rail users came to a halt.
Stephen explained: “If we go back to where we were pre-pandemic there was a lot of interaction with disabled people going on in the rail industry. The pandemic knocked the conversation off-beat and a lot of things went backwards.
“Almost inevitably there were cuts to services and staff but, at the beginning of restrictions, disabled people were told not to travel, that if they were vulnerable they must not travel, which was not the right way of going about things. A lot of people were simply forced into isolation and became very worried about going out.
Losing confidence “During that period disabled people lost their confidence and the ground that had been made was lost. Rail staff lost the ability to relate to disabled people because they were so busy introducing and managing safety measures and therefore disability felt like it didn’t exist. So progress was reversed.
“The majority of companies are now playing catch-up and doing all of the work necessary to get us back to where we were and move forward, and at Disability Rights UK we’re making sure we keep them on track.”
Ensuring that disabled people are involved in the rail planning process is a key part of Disability Rights UK’s strategy. A good example of this can be seen in work taking place at Manchester Piccadilly, where the lift at platforms 13 and 14 will be out of service from January to May.
Stephen said: “Disabled people have been part of the mitigation plan and worked with Network Rail to make sure a proper chair lift will be provided on the stairs to access the platforms.
“We’re also working to ensure that staff there are trained to cope, and that people get to and from their platforms safely. It’s not as simple as just putting the chair lift in place.”
Technology is often held up as the manna from heaven that will transform the railways of the future but Stephen is concerned that, without careful consideration, the digital divide will become wider and leave behind many disabled rail users, especially those on low incomes.
Stephen said: “Everyone talks about technology and the use of apps for booking tickets and accessing travel information but there is already a digital divide. A lot of older people do not have the dexterity to use that technology. There are a lot of people with smartphones who cannot use them, the usability is too complicated and they simply don’t want to use apps. So we shouldn’t create a society or a railway where people cannot get the best deals because they cannot use the right app.
“Disability Rights UK is deeply involved in the conversation to make sure we avoid creating a situation where the poorest people in society get even less because they can’t access the technology. The best deals are online, but if you can’t book online, then what?”
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Stephen has been a Coordinator of the Disability Hate Crime Network since April 2008 and is determined to ensure that all rail users can travel without facing hostility and fear. He is working closely with British Transport Police and RDG on making improvements that will reduce hostility and hate crimes, and suggests that a big problem is the lack of awareness about who to contact should an issue take place on a train journey.
“The British Transport Police have acknowledged that CPS prosecutions for hostility and hate crimes are negligible in the extreme. There’s a misconception about the role of British Transport Police, that they are only there to deal with terrorism or the antisocial behaviour of football fans. A lot of cases on rail are not reported because people are not sure who can do anything, and the visibility of British Transport Police is low.
“The ‘See It. Say It. Sorted.’ campaign is just white noise now, and the 61016 number to text is perceived as a terrorism hotline. We are working closely with British Transport Police’s head of diversity to broaden out the message on trains that if you see anything, witness anything, are uncomfortable on your journey, then you can text that number and help is there.
Hate crime Stephen aded: “We’re also continuing to liaise with the Cabinet Office and their staff on this issue. Things were not helped by a leading Police and Crime Commissioner saying that the issue of hate crime detracts the police from doing ‘serious’ work, although that brings some relevance to the issue for us to kick the industry into gear.”
Not unrelated is a call for improved identification of priority seating which, Stephen said, is currently problematic.
“On most of new trains there is no identification on the seat back facing rail users and it’s as simple as putting an emblem or sticker on that seat so that people know that it is for people who are less able to stand. This makes it easier for those with disabilities, impairments and needs, is very important, and reduces any conflict that may arise. It’s the same with wheelchair spaces which, as all rail users are aware, are often full of cases.”
Stephen was pleased that as successor to his Rail Sector Champion role, Caroline Eglinton of Network Rail was appointed as Industry Ambassador. The two work well together and regularly check in with each other.
He added: “Caroline and I meet regularly, we share information and have relevant levels of independence but cross reference the work we are doing.”
Fazilet Hadi, Disability Rights UK Head of Policy, said: “Stephen is making a real difference, as he has experience of disability and a strong understanding of how the rail industry works. He also has the most amazing contacts. We are very lucky that Stephen is part of the Disability Rights UK team.
“Being able to get out and about is vital if disabled people are to live independently and fully participate in society. We need stations and vehicles to be accessible, to have appropriate personal assistance and to receive communications in formats that we can access.”
Stephen said: “As a disabled rail user I am now part of an organisation with a clear strategy, that transport is an accessible process, that people can turn up, use a train station, bus station, and use buses and trains at the same rate as nondisabled people.
Make the right changes “We will not get the railway I’d like to see in my lifetime. If we can get better communication between the companies and statutory bodies right, and if the ORR, RDG, Network Rail and the TOCS had some sort of standard communication channel so that where there is an issue that is of common interest – allowing people to access services for example – everything can be understood and communicated better.
“There is a willingness to make the right changes. It is good that we are getting involved in direct discussions, involved in planning, and are part of consultation plans. Being part of the process of engagement, being listened to and ensuring the points and issues of disabled rail users are conveyed is vital.
“If we provide better access, better communication and a better understanding of all the needs of disabled people and get that right we’ll create a better train service for everyone. That’s really what it’s about.”
