A big well done to our Champions for Change, who have been working hard to improve transport options for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
After raising their concerns about difficulties with school and public transport, five of the Champions met with members of the Devon County Council Transport team and staff from Stagecoach to discuss how service could be improved.
Among the topics covered were increasing wheelchair spaces on buses so that multiple wheelchair users can travel together, and the fact that disability bus passes can only be used after 9.30am, which can make travel to work or college problematic.
As a result of the meeting, the focus group have agreed to put together an action plan covering the items that were discussed, while our Champions will be creating some guidance around what makes journeys to school enjoyable.
The focus group will be meeting again in the first couple of months of next year to discuss progress and put the next steps in place. We’ll be sure to update you again once we’ve met.
Our SEND Network for Change aims to create opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to get involved and have their voice heard!
There are lots of different groups and projects going on, run by our SEND Participation Team. If you are a young person with SEND in Devon, whatever you want to say, we want to hear it!
You can contact the team by emailing participation@devon.gov.uk or amy.bickford@devon.gov.uk or visit our website to find out more.