Susan, Ian and Matt: out and about - together

Two questions: When were you last on a bus? What is your favourite transport app? The conversation always takes many directions. To the really important things.

Susan, Ian and Matt took me to trains and planning for travel with autism. They are a formidable unit.

I started the podcast as I wanted to think and learn.

In transporty terms, after our chat, I am thinking more about:

• interlinked “group” travel and decision making: who does what can be an interesting dynamic;
• the very notion of a downloadable travel information (and booking/payment) app: it can and does play a useful role, but as ever, what would be most valuable in the travel and in the digital space? (and again I am hearing that people don’t want to download something).

I am also thinking about the closed compartment – sitting together and closing the door.  Susan told me later about their anxiety of travelling with Matt, especially on a bus: “where room is tight and it's hard to make a 'quick escape' if someone coughs, for instance, and sends Matt into meltdown. So, we worry that there won't be seats to sit together, away from others, so we can calm Matt quickly if meltdown should consume him”. In the last Mobility Stories podcast Rona loved the compartment on the tram.  Ian (podcast coming v soon) uses the imagery of the train compartment in his positive transport memories. 

And what about the learnings after out chat?  I have learnt about Matt’s many skills and talents in travel planning – just how much he does and does really well.  I knew about the challenges he faces in travel but let that blind me to the real talents that he uses every day, including in transport.  But the stories of Susan, Ian and Matt’s travel helped me learn and I am grateful for that.

And there’ll be some a few more stories from Matt’s travels in a Mobility Stories podcast "bite" soon.

For info: 

Scottish Government has a live consultation on the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill (closes 21 April 2024).  This would aim to protect, respect and champion the rights of people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people.

Transport is a key part of this and there is an ace paper from the National Involvement Network on "getting about" which has been submitted as evidence - worth a read.

Music Credit: Life of a Wandering Wizard by Serge Quadrado