The dignity experience of people with disability when using trains and buses in an Australian city

Abstract

When transport systems are accessible and inclusive, people with disability experience dignity. Alternatively, when personal mobility is constrained by physical, social and/or communication, barriers, people with disability experience exclusion and an increasing vulnerability to indignity. This study sought to qualitatively explore the role of trains and buses in an Australian city in supporting access, inclusion and dignified mobility experiences for people with disability. Twenty-six semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants with diverse visible and invisible disabilities and were analysed thematically using Framework Analysis. The findings highlight the complexities involved with navigating public transport systems while maintaining dignity for people with disability. Accessible and inclusive information, infrastructure, and interactions with staff ensured dignified mobility experiences. If any part of a journey was inaccessible, participants were vulnerable to indignity. Dignified mobility experiences represent a complex and dynamic interaction between personal experiences and preferences, impairment-specific requirements, transport infrastructure, interpersonal experiences, and information inclusivity.