Southeastern is looking to recruit more people of different ages and backgrounds who live or work on the Southeastern network to join its Accessible Travel Advisory Panel.

The panel is made up of people who have the experience of challenges faced by people with accessibility issues when travelling by train.

Members will advise Southeastern of the support and guidance which is need to help improve their accessibility when they travel by train.

The Accessible Travel Advisory Panel is an independent body comprising volunteers who use their travel experiences to help improve accessibility on trains, at stations, and digital information media.

Launched in 2021, the panel includes people with physical disabilities, people from the neuro-diverse community, and relatives or carers of people with accessibility needs and meets six times a year, two being in-person.

Southeastern welcomes applications from anyone who wishes to join the Accessible Travel Advisory Panel, but only limited places are available.

To apply, applicants should register their interest through the Accessible Travel Reference Group survey at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/O8NFL7, following which the accessibility team at Southeastern will send them an application form.

Southeastern carries thousands of people every day and we want to make travelling by train a great experience for everyone.

We have worked hard to remove barriers and support customers with assistance requirements, but we know there is more to do and the insights and recommendations we receive from our panel members are vital to improving the service we provide.

The panel was recently involved in planning the refurbishment of Southeastern s fleet of 29 Highspeed trains to improve accessibility by introducing additional features to the toilets and extra priority seating. It will also play a key part in advising on the new or upgraded trains for Metro services.

Tina Owusu, Southeastern’s Head of Inclusive Customer Experience

It’s really important that we have this independently chaired panel to be a critical friend and offer a pan-disability perspective to Southeastern.

Our number one priority is to ensure that disabled people are consulted at every stage of proposed accessibility changes, and that their voices are clearly heard by everyone in the organisation.

Andy Barrow, Accessibility Consultant and co-chair of the Accessible Travel Advisory Panel