Resource: Travel and public transport

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Travel and public transport

Accessible travel for autistic people

Source: National Autistic Society

Resource Summary
The National Autistic Society provides guidance on navigating travel and public transport for autistic individuals. This resource offers practical tips for planning journeys, managing sensory environments on public transport, and accessing assistance schemes, aiming to reduce anxiety and make travel more accessible and comfortable.

For many autistic individuals, using public transport or undertaking travel can be a source of significant anxiety due to sensory overload, unexpected changes, and social interactions. This National Autistic Society resource offers practical advice and strategies to make travel more manageable and less stressful. It provides tips on planning journeys in advance, including checking routes, timings, and potential accessibility issues. It suggests ways to cope with sensory challenges on buses, trains, or planes, such as using noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, or finding quieter areas. The resource also highlights available assistance schemes, such as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard scheme, which quietly indicates that a person may need additional support or understanding. It offers guidance on communicating needs to transport staff and what to do if things go wrong. By equipping autistic individuals and their carers with this knowledge, the resource aims to increase confidence and independence in travel, opening up opportunities for greater community participation.

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