The three-year partnership will involve both organisations sharing their expertise and working collaboratively on a series of projects that will develop and test new accessible transport solutions for blind and partially sighted people. The collaboration will also take a pan-disability approach to make sure the projects benefit as many disabled people as possible.
Improved service for all
The Motability Foundation previously gave a grant to fund the RNIB’s Inclusive Journeys report, which was published in April 2023. It highlighted the unique challenges that people with sight loss face when making journeys, and how addressing these could deliver a greater sense of independence, and improved public transport service for all.
The partnership will build on these findings, convening and collaborating with the transport and technology providers and disability groups sectors to address some of the biggest issues that prevent disabled people from making the journeys they choose.
The Motability Foundation and RNIB also want to test what is possible if the latest technology is used to assist disabled people with making journeys independently.
Any solutions developed through the partnership will be designed with the input of blind and partially sighted people. And the Motability Foundation and RNIB will also seek opportunities to involve other organisations, transport providers, and disability groups in its joint project.
A shared goal
Nicola Gampell, Innovation Manager at the Motability Foundation, says: “We’re really proud to be launching our new innovation partnership with the RNIB. We have a shared goal in wanting to improve journeys for people with sight loss, and we have identified complementary expertise and experience across our organisations. We hope that by working together we can find exciting ways of using technology to make journeys more accessible for all.”
Jim Sanders, RNIB’s Director of Innovation, adds: “We know that not being able to get out and about independently can have a huge impact on the lives of blind and partially sighted people - from limiting their employment prospects to isolating them from friends. That’s why this partnership with the Motability Foundation is so important.
“Collaborative working is vital to developing solutions and encouraging alternative behaviour and processes, so that people with sight loss can safely make the journeys they want, when they want.”
