The Press Release Resource

• Tweet

• Tweet

Stand up for special needs Wheels on Buses.

Tracy Shave, founder of local campaigning and awareness organisation Moulding Futures, has launched a new campaign Stand Up 4 (special needs) Wheels. The aim of the campaign is to highlight the need for special needs buggies and raise awareness that often those who use them will have the ability to walk but are in them for other reasons – the main message being don’t judge.

The first part of the campaign, sponsored by SMP Consultancy Ltd and Chelmsford Borough Council, has focused on the need for more understanding bus drivers along with the general public. Parents have either had comments made or have been asked to fold their buggies when a wheelchair user has wanted the space – leading to some parents having to leave the bus. Bus operators in Essex, First have joined this campaign, placing stickers stating “Stand Up 4 (special needs) Wheels – there is a reason we have one” in 500 low floor buses covering Chelmsford, Colchester, Hadleigh, Basildon, Harwich / Clacton.

“When my son was younger he found it hard to cope on buses until I got a hood for our buggy and kept it there. He is autistic and has ADHD with sensory processing difficulties so the hood blocked out all the chaos that his brain couldn’t process and we were then able to go out more. As he got older the buggy became quite small but for the amount I would’ve used it (holidays, days out, going shopping – which I still avoided) it wasn’t financially worthwhile getting a special needs buggy. Unfortunately I used to get very strange looks and comments having a large child in a buggy.” Explains Tracy, “Sponsorship from SMP Consultancy Ltd has enabled us to produce a card that parents/carers carry and show the bus driver stating the child/young person should not be made to sit without their buggy. This is especially helpful for those who are still in a normal size buggy but have special needs. We also purchased a special needs buggy to lend to people wanting them for holidays or days out.”

The campaign has a website with additional information and a section to be developed from peoples comments and own experiences. Advice on what special needs buggies to buy, where to get funding for one etc are also going to be added. These comments will mould the second part of the campaign with another 1,000 stickers to go to other bus operators across Essex and further, as well as the production of a leaflet and awareness training.  A competition can also be found on the website with a chance to win an innovative Trabasack Lap bag worth £44.95 – featured in a recent video by Brett Domino, later added to Justin Timberlake’s website. You can see the very interesting video on the campaign website.

To pledge your support and understanding you can join the facebook group Stand Up 4 Wheels or go to www.standup4wheels.co.uk for more information about the campaign and see how you can get involved.

For more information on Moulding Futures and their projects for disadvantaged people please go to www.mouldingfutures.co.uk call 01245 399541 or write to Moulding Futures, PO Box 10730, CHELMSFORD, CM1 9PW

ENDS

Quotes from our supporters:

Susan Pattrick of SMP Consultancy Ltd – main sponsor says: “Moulding Futures is about changing the lives of disabled children, especially those with autism and I am proud to support the work that this organisation does. Additionally, I believe that all disabled children and adults should be able to use public transport in a way that provides safety and security to them so they don’t feel isolated or threatened.”

Alan Pilbeam, MD First East England says:

“We are pleased to be supporting the ‘Stand up 4 Wheels’ campaign, and passengers will now notice the awareness stickers appearing on our buses in Essex. We have given our drivers special training regarding this campaign, so that they are aware that those passengers who use special needs buggies, may be able to walk but have another reason for using the chair. We aim to offer exceptionally high levels of customer service to all our passengers, and I am happy we have been able to offer our full support to this campaign.”

A spokesperson for Chelmsford Borough Council said:

“Chelmsford Borough Council has been working very hard to address the range of issues faced by local disabled people. We have tried to understand and address barriers that prevent our residents from accessing our services, and have recognised that transport is a major concern to a number of different community groups.  The Stand up 4 Wheels initiative has highlighted a lack of understanding about the attitude towards parents and children in these situations and the difficulties they experience in using public transport.

Chelmsford Borough Council is very pleased to support this campaign to improve the travel experience of disabled children, their parents and carers and to allow them to better access services and facilities that will improve their quality of life.”