Accessibility boost at Scarborough train station for blind and visually impaired
It is part of a £100,000 investment by TransPennine Express to enhance toilets at railway stations
The toilets at Scarborough train station has been fitted a new electronic device to help blind and visually impaired people when it comes to navigating the facilities.
Installed by TransPennine Express as part of a £100k investment in enhancing the accessibility of its stations, the Adi RoomMate® devices provide an audio description which maps out the features of the accessible toilet.
On entering the toilet, an automatic announcement is made and then those requiring more information can access this simply by waving their hand.
Natasha Marsay, Accessibility & Inclusion Manager for TransPennine Express said: “Continuing to make our trains and stations as inclusive as possible is incredibly important to us.
“The addition of audio devices in the accessible toilets at all of our staffed stations will make a real difference and offer more independence for customers who are blind or have a visual impairment.”
Maqsood Sheikh, Regional Campaigns Officer at the Royal National Institute of Blind People, said: “We welcome the installation of RoomMate in locations across the TransPennine Express (TPE) network which will make it more accessible for blind and partially sighted people to navigate toilets more easily as the technology provides an audio description of the toilet layout.
“It’s great to see TPE bringing in developments across their network as part of an accessibility boost for stations across the North. We know that customers can often feel overwhelmed travelling, and this will help blind and partially sighted people travel with confidence.”