A participatory qualitative analysis of barriers of public transport by persons with disabilities from seven European cities

Editorial information: Volume 11, Issue 2. 2021. Journal of Accessibility and Design for All.  ISSN: 2013-7087.

The paper presents the results of two qualitative surveys conducted jointly with persons with different forms of disabilities: i) a social media content analysis and ii) peer-to-peer interviews with persons with disabilities. The surveys aimed to identify barriers that persons with access needs face during their trips with public transport. In line with a participatory approach, persons with disabilities from seven European cities were involved in conducting the research (Sofia, Cagliari, Brussels, Bologna, Lisbon, Zagreb, Stockholm). The paper is a part of the EU research project TRIPS (TRansport Innovation for disabled People needs Satisfaction).

Working groups consisting of 10-15 people in each city comprised a Local User Lead (LUL), the Core User Team (CUT) members, representatives of local transport providers, and city council and academics. The CUT members faced different access needs due to impairments (e.g., wheelchair users, visually impaired individuals). The LULs are well-networked disability activists.

At least 30 social media entries concerning topics such as accessibility of public transport, barriers or assistance services, were researched in each of the cities. LULs were leading the pertaining search. For the analysis, platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, were scanned based on search terms, like disabled, wheelchair, blind, deaf, public transport, bus, metro etc. Only social media entries by private persons were selected for analysis; official journalistic reports were not included in the analysis. Eight categories of PT barriers have been identified by the social content analysis (infrastructure along with stops/stations, public awareness, vehicles etc.).

Peer-to-peer interview partners with impairments (N=49) came from the seven cities. The interviews were conducted by the LULs. The interview transcripts were imported into the software MAXQDA for data analysis. The said eight categories of PT barriers have been also ranked by the amount of responses (public awareness, infrastructure along with stops/stations, vehicles, info provision etc.). Pertaining specifically to infrastructure along with stops/stations, main barriers identified are problematic sidewalks, missing ramps, gaps at platforms and broken elevators.

Social media users, as well as interviewees, emphasized the need for policy and transport providers to take the next steps in improving accessibility of public transport.

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