Overcoming the barriers to access for older people

Author:
MACKETT Roger
Publishers:
Age Action Alliance, University College London
Publication year:
2014
Pagination:
71
Place of publication:
London

Brings together evidence on ways of overcoming the barriers to access for older people, including information about ways to overcome the barriers to walking, using wheelchairs, changing level, and using public transport, cars and mobility scooters. Ways of improving the journey experience for older people, including better information and improving the attitudes of others whilst travelling, are also considered. Key findings include: guidance on design and engineering improvements must be broadened and better evidenced; people with disabilities suffer from discrimination - driver training needs to be extended to make it more comprehensive to increase bus drivers’ understanding of the issues that older people face, probably by involving more older people in the training process; concessionary travel pass schemes need to be extended; more flexible ways of providing local public transport are required especially in rural areas; and the public transport system would need to be organised by local authorities, who need more powers to ensure that commercial criteria do not dominate decisions about the provision of services. The report is concluded by identifying examples of good practice and discussion about some of the outstanding accessibility issues that need to be addressed to make travelling by older people easier so that they can enjoy life and make a greater contribution to society. (Edited publisher abstract)

Subject terms:
older people, transport, mobility, access to services, mobility aids, rural areas, participation;
Content type:
research review
Location(s):
United Kingdom
Link:
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