Cards and badges for public transport in Ireland to help raise awareness of hidden disabilities
As part of its commitment to provide inclusive and accessible mass transit for all, Transport for Ireland (TFI) and disability advocacy group Invisible Disability Ireland have launched ‘Please Offer Me a Seat’ badges and cards to help ensure that people with hidden disabilities are eligible for a seat in priority areas on public transport.
The new badges and cards will allow passengers with an invisible disability who have difficulty standing while using public transport to subtly alert fellow passengers that they would welcome being offered a seat. Some examples of invisible disabilities are fibromyalgia, autism, head injuries, chronic pain, poor balance, and multiple sclerosis, along with other conditions.
Emily Larkin, Founder and Director of Invisible Disability Ireland, commented: “One in seven people in Ireland have a disability and about 80 percent of disabilities have invisible impairments, meaning they are not immediately apparent.
“Invisible disabilities are no less challenging and can hinder a person’s efforts to go to school, work, socialise and more. Although people with invisible disabilities make up a large percentage of the disability population, they have little representation, awareness, understanding or support.
“Not only will the ‘Please Offer Me a Seat’ badge and card ensure that people with hidden disabilities are eligible for a seat in priority areas on public transport, I also hope that this will help raise awareness and promote a greater understanding of invisible disabilities amongst the general public.”
Invisible Disability Ireland is a national non-profit organisation that raises awareness and campaigns on invisible disabilities and conditions, aiming to achieve increased awareness, empathy, and understanding towards hidden illnesses and conditions breaking away from the stigma of what a disability “should look like”.
Dominic Hannigan, Public Transport Regulation at the National Transport Authority, said: “It is important that public transport is as inclusive and accessible for people of varying abilities as possible. Public transport is for everyone and any measure that assists our passengers in feeling as comfortable as possible while using our services is welcome.
“I encourage passengers with hidden disabilities to contact their local public transport operator to obtain a card or badge and I hope other passengers will be understanding of those who indicate that they would appreciate being offered a seat”.
The badges and cards can be used on Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann – Irish Rail, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland, and TFI Local Link services.
Sorin Costica, Head of Operations for Dublin Bus, added: “Dublin Bus is committed to providing an accessible service for each and every one of our customers.
“The introduction of this badge and card will make our services even more inclusive for all customers. It will give people with hidden disabilities the freedom to travel with confidence when using Dublin Bus and other public transport services.”