Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson leads NCAT Commission launch at Westminster
The official launch of the NCAT Commission - which is led by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson - at Westminster
Tuesday 05 September 2023
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The UK's first ever National Centre for Accessible Transport (NCAT) has launched its Accessible Transport Policy Commission at Westminster.
NCAT was established earlier this year with the aim of making transport accessible for all by engaging with disabled people to better understand their experiences and co-design solutions, and is led by Professor Paul Herriotts, from Coventry University’s National Transport Design Centre.
NCAT is a consortium funded by the Motability Foundation and led by Coventry University, which also comprises Connected Places Catapult, Designability, Policy Connect, Research Institute for Disabled Consumers, and WSP UK.
The Commission will be chaired by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, one of Britain’s greatest ever Paralympians, and aims to bring together disabled people and transport professionals with policymakers to forge a new and more inclusive consensus about the future of the transport system.
The official launch took place in the shadow of Westminster and Big Ben on Tuesday, 5 September.
I'm delighted to be the chair of the new cross-party Accessible Transport Policy Commission. Whether it's to get to school, commute to work or visit friends, transport is a vital part of everyday life.
However, too many disabled people face extra obstacles because of poor accessibility. We don't want special treatment - only the same experience as everyone else. With the support of the National Centre for Accessible Transport, I'm looking forward working with my fellow Commissioners to bring disabled people and transport professionals together with policymakers from across the UK to break down barriers so in future no one is left behind.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
Baroness Grey-Thompson is joined on the Commission by a number of vice-chairs:
- Zarah Sultana, MP for Coventry South (Labour Party)
- Barry Sheerman, MP for Huddersfield (Labour and Co-operative Party)
- Lord Shinkwin (Conservative Party)
- Marion Fellows, MP for Motherwell and Wishaw (Scottish National Party)
- Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys (Conservative Party)
- Ruth Cadbury, MP for Brentford and Isleworth (Labour Party)
I am delighted that the Accessible Transport Policy Commission has been launched. The commission will have an important role in helping the National Centre for Accessible Transport in its aim to reduce the transport accessibility gap, with disabled people currently taking 38 per cent fewer trips than non-disabled people.
The commission’s aim is to amplify robust research evidence generated by NCAT. It is hoped it will bring together national, regional and local government with disabled people and transport professionals, to achieve this required change through vital collaboration.
I look forward to seeing the work of the commission leading to much-needed positive change.
Professor Paul Herriotts, from Coventry University’s National Transport Design Centre
Find out more about the Commission launch.
