Special transport awareness event on neurodiversity

I was invited to attend a special awareness event on a project which I have participated in.

The event neurodiversity and transport was part of a research project which has been developed within the past 12 months. During the event a number of examples of findings were shared as part of the research.

This was developed by National Neurodiversity training in conjunction with transport for West Midlands and the West Midlands Safer Travel Partnership.

The event includes presentations from:
Iveta Pudilova, the Founder and CEO of National Neurodiversity Training

She presented different examples of the findings from the special report related to neurodiversity on public transport in the West Midlands region.

An essential point on the importance related to universal design is a crucial factor for safety and accessibility.
As part of her research, Iveta has had regular contact with West Midlands Safer Travel Partnership in the past 12 months including safe travel safety team and officers. This is part of the strategy from the West Midlands Mayor titled "Transport for All".

The percentage of neurodiversity on public transport was the highest and beyond the national percentage related to research anywhere in the UK.

Some of the questions were addressed why there is the importance of neurodiversity related to understanding the journey experiences, how frequently a new neurodivergent person travels. Also how a neurotypical person is likely to report if a neurodivergent person is a victim of crime.

Michael Sandland, the Travel Safety Officer Manager at Transport for West Midlands.
Michael presented a summary of his involvement in the research project in partnership with the team at National Neurodiversity Training.

Some of the points addressed including
The reliance of public transport and shared understanding with action is more important than the research and planning.

My involvement in the research
It started in early 2025 when attending the open event at snow hill station which addresses safety on public transport
Select the link to the article for details

As part of the same event my Iveta from the National neurodiversity training asked me to be featured on an awareness video as part of the strategy and research linked with the report neurodiversity and training
Select the link to the article for details

Myself and Iveta were asked to be featured separately on a series of video training to enable greater knowledge and understanding of when using public transport in the region. This was distributed to travel safety and accessibility teams within Transport for West Midlands
Select the link to the article for details

My analysis
The event was a major important step on understanding and awareness of neurodiversity on public transport. It has said a very strong example with high standards to every transport organization in the United Kingdom and beyond. Especially with the emphasis on listening to lived experience in context. This is very important to prevent misrepresentation misinterpretation and inaccurate judgment relates to journey experience and specific situations which may occur.

Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Iveta from National Neurodiversity Training and the team at Transport West Midlands, along with Paul Franks, Michael Sandland and the entire team at the West Midlands Safer Travel Partnership for involving me as part of these very important developments.

An additional special thank you to Cerys O'Hara who was part of the travel safety team as part of her internship scheme this was linked her studies at University.
Also, a special thanks to the outgoing Chief Executive Anne Shaw for listening and provide some limited support in related to signposting and contacts within the combined authority. Anne leaves her role at Transport for West Midlands at the end of 2025 to start a new role as Chief Executive of National Transport Authority in Ireland in early 2026.