The National Autistic Society is publishing a report on the barriers autistic people face while travelling on public transport and the impact on their lives
- Nearly nine in ten (87%) autistic people experience sensory discomfort or overload on public transport.
- Over four in five (81%) autistic people feel anxious or unsafe outside the home or in public.
- Nearly two thirds (62%) of autistic people experience distressed behaviour or sensory overload while travelling.
- The National Autistic Society’s Empowering Autistic Travel report provides recommendations to make transport more autism friendly.
- Autistic people face challenges when travelling on public transport that heavily limit their opportunities and quality of life, according to a new report published by the National Autistic Society.
- The National Autistic Society has carried out a year-long research project about travel for autistic adults, funded by the Motability Foundation. The research provides a better understanding about the barriers to comfortable, safe travel for autistic people, the impact on their lives, and recommendations to make transport services more accessible and autism friendly.
- The new report, Empowering Autistic Travel, found that autistic people face uncertainty, a lack of understanding and empathy from others, difficult sensory environments and inaccessible information when travelling on public transport in the UK. Nearly nine in ten (87%) autistic people experience sensory discomfort or overload on public transport. Over four in five (81%) feel anxious or unsafe outside the home or in public, and nearly two thirds (62%) experience distressed behaviour or sensory overload while travelling.
- Key findings
- The report highlights the challenges autistic people experience on trains, buses, taxis and rideshares, including:
- Sensory discomfort or overload (87%)
- Feeling anxious or unsafe outside the home or in public (81%)
- Strangers being close or seated beside them (86%)
- Unexpected delays and cancellations (85%)
- Crowding on platforms and services (90%)
- Struggling to travel without planning first (80%)
- Feeling rushed by others (76%)
- Being unable to sit down (74%)
- These barriers to travelling have a serious impact on autistic people’s lives. Autistic respondents reported:
- Being anxious about travel even before their journey starts (71%)
- Having to spend more time recovering or resting (68%)
- Experience distressed behaviour or sensory overload while travelling or when reaching their destination (62%)
- Being anxious about trying other forms of transport (58%)
- Missing out on events or experiences they want to go to (54%)
- Worrying about getting to medical appointments easily and on time (52%)
- Being exhausted or overloaded when they reach their destination (51%)
- Only being able to travel at quiet times, even if this doesn’t suit them (49%)
- Missing out on accessing hobbies and interests (46%)
- Worrying about their future (44%)
- An autistic woman, aged 19, said: “If there’s a change, like if I have to wait around at the station for a long time, or if I’m feeling like I’m trapped somewhere and like there’s nowhere quiet to go to decompress, then I’d be more likely to have a meltdown.”
- An autistic woman, aged 36, said: “I do what I need to do to get by, but that comes at a big cost then because I get home and then I’m absolutely exhausted.”
- Dr Judith Brown, Head of Autism Knowledge and Expertise at the National Autistic Society said:“These findings really highlight the everyday challenges that autistic people face. Thousands of autistic people have told us that independent travel is either hugely problematic, or impossible. With changes to the environment, and improved information, journeys would be more predictable and comfortable.
- “With better recognition, understanding and empathy towards autistic people from transport professionals and the general public – journeys will feel far safer. There are some fantastic examples of good practice in transport support available. We need to expand on these and, even more importantly, create societal change in attitudes towards difference. By working together to understand challenges for autistic people, and facilitate positive change, autistic people can make comfortable journeys and improve their quality of life.”
- Chelsea Fleming, Innovation Manager at the Motability Foundation said: “We are proud to have grant-funded this research from the National Autistic Society on the challenges autistic people face when making journeys. Importantly this research focuses on the lived experience of autistic people to illustrate the issues they face when travelling and makes recommendations for improvement. User research like this, led by organisations and people with a deep understanding of the issues, is vital to unlocking accessible travel for all.”
- Our recommendations
- The report includes recommendations for the transport industry and the public to help create a society that works for autistic people, including:
- Improved support such as easily recognisable, dedicated support staff and support points at stations.
- Accessible information such as clear signs, maps and visual instructions, and advance notice of any changes.
- Sensory adaptations such as quiet spaces, sensory regulation tools including ear defenders, and information on screens as well as audio announcements.
- Training for all staff to improve understanding of autism.
- Improved planning and advance notice of any changes.
- The full report and recommendations are available on the National Autistic Society’s website.
