A step free station?

 

"We are now reaching London Victoria, this is a step free station" they said, forgetting to add "if you happen to be in the carriage that stopped by the raised section of the platform" 

When it comes to communication, especially related to accessibility, accuracy is rather important. 

Sometimes, when we design, we can think several unhelpful thoughts: 

1. There will be someone to ask for help to if they need to. (People want to feel empowered living their lives. Designing dependency is not designing for all.) 

2. People in this platform/place/entrance will see where it is the step free access (forgetting that passengers also need to leave the trains/walk through passages/buildings etc. The entire customer journey needs to be accessible to claim accessibility) 

3. This works for a wheelchair user because we will be informed by the person at the start of their journey of their requirements. (All accessibility requirements are not equal. Some people need it because they carry heavy equipment, others prams, some use a walking cane, others clutches, some are small, some have limited sight...) 

Let's collectively do better in 2025.