Accessible Transport Summit 2024

The National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) will be holding its first 

 Accessible Transport Summit on Wednesday 11th September at Plexal, Stratford East.  

Our goal? To make transport more accessible, together! 

You can stream this event online through Youtube

The Accessible Transport Summit will bring together key stakeholders in the field of transport accessibility including disabled people, disabled people’s organisations, industry experts and policy makers to discuss the pressing challenges in accessibility. 

Why should you take part?  

1. Talk with and learn from decision makers and key players in the accessible transport space 
2. Learn more about ncat and the work we’ve done so far 
3. Help ncat prioritise actions to take forward to ensure the highest impact 

We are excited to share with you the work we have been doing so far, but more than that, we want to debate the challenges and listen to what you think should be our priorities for the next stage of our work. 

ncat is committed to making transport accessible to all.   

In person and online places for the summit are now full. But you can still get involved by watching the summit as it happens. Livestream link will be shared here before the event. Sessions will be supported by BSL interpreters.  

And if you are interested in getting involved in the research that we are doing at ncat, you can join our Community of Accessible Transport Panel (CAT panel) where you’ll have the opportunity to share your experiences of using transport and your ideas for how to make it better for everybody.  

We look forward to working with you!  

ncat – shaping the future of accessible transport  

The ncat consortium is funded by Motability Foundation and consists of six partner organisations: Coventry University, Connected Places Catapult, Designability, Policy Connect, Research Institute of Disabled Consumers, WSP. 

To read ncat’s strategy and find out about our work check out our website:  www.ncat.uk  

When is this event?

On Wednesday 11th September 2024 starting at 10.30am. You can arrive and sign in from 10am. The event finishes at 4.30pm.

Where is this event?

Plexal

The Press Centre

Here East

14 Easy Bay Lane

London

E20 3BS

A video tour of Plexal Stratford, our venue for the Accessible Transport Summit, has been provided by Thinks Insight. To view, please click on the link below:

lv_0_20240809124338.mp4 (britainthinks.com)

The venue

Plexal is wheelchair accessible throughout, and there are dropped curbs from the nearest station and car park to the venue.

• We have a team of 20 helpers to assist everyone on the day, and an information and accessibility desk at the back of the main event space for any queries you may have.
• There will be signs to the and inside the venue to show where you need to go.
• We will minimise loud noises, flashing lights, and crowded spaces so the event isn’t overwhelming.
• There is grass outside, canal-side, where assistance dogs can go to the toilet. We will also provide water for them.
• Fire alarms at the venue are audio only, so our helpers will support Deaf attendees in the case of fire. Plexal Fire Wardens are also onsite and perform a sweep of the building in the event of a fire alarm.

Agenda

The Summit will be a combination of presentations, panel discussions, and smaller breakout group discussions.  We have built-in regular breaks and you can take part in as much or as little as you feel able to on the day, you do not need to attend every session.

Speaker Bios

Lucy Farrow – Thinks Insight Facilitator 

Lucy Farrow is one of the UK’s leading deliberative research and engagement practitioners with 15 years of experience involving citizens in the decisions that affect their lives.

Paul Herriotts – ncat Centre Director 

Paul Herriotts leads in applied research and consultancy in Transport Design. He has a background in Design Ergonomics / Human Factors with a focus on human-centred design and passenger experience. 

Kamran Mallick – CEO Disability Rights UK

Kamran Mallick is the Chief Executive of Disability Rights UK and campaigner for equality and a dedicated advocate for the user-led disabled people’s movement. He is a former member of Transport for London’s Independent Disability Advisory Group.

Anna Landre – Researcher, Activist, Consultant and ncat Board Member

Anna Landre is a wheelchair-using activist, researcher, and consultant whose work spans the disciplines of disability studies, humanitarian relief, international development, urban planning, human-computer interaction, and social care policy.

Deborah Persaud – civil servant, campaigner and ncat Board member

Deborah is a Whitehall civil servant with a broad range of experience including senior public policy, strategic and diplomatic roles delivering regulatory, operational, sponsorship and transformation programmes. She is registered blind. 

Catherine Cobb – Traffic Signals Design Engineer –Amey

Cath is an engineer at Amey UK, a disability ambassador for the company, and a strong advocate for inclusion and diversity. Aged seven, Cath lost her left leg to bone cancer and is passionate about sharing her story to encourage other disabled people back into work. 

Simone West  – Inclusive Design Manager  for TfL

Simone West works at Transport for London (TfL), initially sitting within the Customer Diversity and Inclusion Team and now within Engineering. She is working to develop and enhance how TfL deliver inclusive built environment outcomes across their network.

Michael Edwards – Director of Innovation for Connected Places Catapult 

Michael is the Director of Innovation at Connected Places Catapult (CPC), responsible for driving the organisation’s work across key national themes such as net zero, infrastructure, future technologies and human-centred design. 

Caroline Stickland – CEO for Transport for All

Caroline brings lived experience as a disabled woman and over 15 years of professional experience in the charity sector. As the CEO of Transport for All, she works with staff and Trustees to ensure the organisation is making an impact and delivering on its goals. 

Phil Barham – Treasurer and Membership Secretary Access Association

Phil Barham has worked in accessible and sustainable transport for over 30 years. He is currently working on a project for the Independent Transport Commission focusing on the Social and Distributional Impacts of the roll-out of electric vehicles (EVs). 

Le Ho-Everiste – Project Lead for Motability Foundation

Le is a Senior Innovation Manager at the Motability Foundation, she is a sibling of a disabled person and has 16 years’ experience leading research and community engagement programmes. Le also co-founded PACE, a social enterprise with the aim to give children and young people of all abilities and from all backgrounds a better start in life.

Damian Bridgeman – entrepreneur, activist and ncat Board member

Damian Bridgeman stands as a beacon in the realms of inclusivity, travel, and societal reform. Recognized as an esteemed Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management, his myriad contributions to various sectors resonate with commitment and innovation. 

Clive Gilbert – Head of Accessible Transport for Policy Connect

Clive Gilbert is a public policy advocate, researcher and thought leader. He has developed an inclusive approach to public policy on disability – bringing together disabled people, industry leaders, front-line practitioners and policymakers to build coalitions that change lives.