MOBILITY OF THE SIGHT AND HEARING IMPAIRED – BARRIERS AND SOLUTIONS IDENTIFIED

Persons with sight or hearing impairment are a significant part of the population. When using public transport numerous specific problems have to be overcome. However those two groups are often not recognized as having special needs and demands, rather they are mistaken as blind or deaf. Taking the completely different mobility barriers for these groups into account, the current situation is not satisfying. In order to reveal the most common and most hindering specific problems to passengers with reduced eye sight or hearing a qualitative short-study as well as a large scale research project were initiated sequentially. The results are based on interviews with persons directly concerned, their representatives, authorities and transport companies as well as on discussions in related internet-fora. Problems and Solutions were gathered and segmented into four categories, namely problems at stops and stations, in vehicles, general mobility problems and public perception. It is shown, that most measures proposed could be implemented with little to no cost as many problems are merely resulting from a lack of awareness, empathy or insufficient training. Furthermore the implementation of several measures would not only improve access to public transport for the two specific groups but for almost all passengers.