Lothian’s efforts in making bus services accessible for autistic people has been recognised by the UK’s leading charity for autistic people.
The National Autistic Society’s Autism Friendly Award has been presented to Lothian for the business’s commitment to making services accessible to autistic people.
In particular, this award recognises Lothian’s:
- Clear evidence of a strong commitment to making services accessible for autistic people and their families, and a willingness to work in partnership with other organisations to achieve this goal;
- Autism awareness training for colleagues across the business to help them understand the key difficulties that autistic people may experience when they are using services, regularly updated in response to feedback from customers; and
- Efforts to provide a range of reasonable adjustments for autistic people including access to a quiet room, options of face-to-face meetings with the service for support with using the timetables and website; and clear visual signage on buses and at bus stops.
Gaynor Marshall, Director of Communications at Lothian, said: “We’re delighted to have received this award from the National Autistic Society. We’re very fortunate in Edinburgh and the Lothians that our services truly are for everyone, and it’s therefore vital that our customers are able to travel in a supportive and inclusive environment that understands the challenges and inequalities that autistic people often encounter.”
Christine Flintoft-Smith, Head of Autism Accreditation and Projects at the National Autistic Society, said: “Lothian should be exceptionally proud of their achievement.
“There are approximately 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK, as well as their three million family members and carers. Without the right support or understanding, autistic people can become extremely isolated. We are very pleased to mark Lothian’s achievement. It is a great thing in itself and, we believe, will inspire other businesses to improve the way they support autistic people.”