My name is Emma Dalmayne, I run an autistic led organisation based in Woolwich SE London called Autistic Inclusive Meets, Www.autisticinclusivemeets.org I am autistic myself and have autistic children, we at AIM campaign for the rights of autistic people.

Disabled children who use disability buggies are being let down on public buses, often they are not allowed to board at all due to the ignorance of the drivers.

One of our families experienced being told by a bus driver that he "Can't see a wheelchair", after the mother attempted to explain that her daughters buggy is used for her daughters mobility issues caused by her disability and she needs to get on.

The driver drove off, leaving the family feeling embarrassed. 

The bus was empty by the way.

And this happens way to often to many familes and carers nationwide, leaving children being late or missing  medical appointments, outings and school.

Disabled children who due to a number of reasons, for instance being autistic and having difficulty navigating the busy outside world due to sensory overwhelm, and/or being hypermobile or dyspraxic which causes joint pain/ having a physical disabilty meaning they need a buggy are being treated in a discriminatory manner.

We want that changed and believe that disabilty buggie users should have the same rights at wheelchair users and be given priority along with wheelchairs on buses.

How would this be achieved?

Councils would issue cards that once shown on buses would entitle the bearer to board if there is space available, these cards would be laminated and issued in twin packs with keyrings that allow them to be attached to the buggy handles, bus drivers would be given notification that the cards mean they are priority.

Parents/carers would have to have evidence in writing that their child has been referred to a Paediatrician for suspected Autism/ Dyspraxia/Hypermobility/ADHD or any other neurodivergent need and would apply to the councils with this proof, and would then be entitled to a twin packs of these cards.

Notice I did not say 'upon diagnosis'? This is because it can  take years for a child to be diagnosed, they need the support to be put in place immediately. 

A quote from Danielle who's daughter is shown in the photo, it was her family who were left after the driver drove off, and it has happened to them multiple times.

"Many times my three disabled daughters and myself try to get out on TFL buses within SE London resulting in us being abused, penalised and shamed infront of all the other passengers, by numerous bus drivers. 

This is due to them them being uneducated regarding SEN disability and disability buggy users,  I believe they should they have the same rights as wheelchair users.

My three daughters and myself have been shouted at, refused entry onto buses, refused entry via the back doors, to the point the other passengers were made to exit the bus via the front, so that we couldn't enter the bus.

Bus drivers have become very loud and disrespectful which is embarrassing to us  stating 'they cannot see our wheelchair', making me having to explain myself and all our SEN needs/requirements to them publicly.

They have even left their cubicles, to look out of the bus at us including my anxious children and to shout even more at us. 

This embarrasment hightens our anxieties which left us housebound last year.

Getting on buses for my autistic daughters is an extremely hard task as it is, due to their anxiety over sensory needs/overloads, crowds, noise, smells and uncleanliness, to then be challenged and aggressively approached by bus drivers is totally unacceptable.

Especially considering all we have done is ask politely to be let on via the back doors with our disability buggy and child within it.

My three daughters all wear their sunflower lanyards, including their chewies which are a sensory aids around their necks.

Their ear defenders (x3), a wheelchair badge asking for consideration and the disabled toilet key all are also very visably attached to their wheelchair handles with extra sunflower lanyards.

Approaching us in such a negative mannor results in my childrens anxieties over public transport even more of a struggle. 

They have wet themselves due to the embarrassment caused, plus due to having to wait for the next bus.

We have missed vital hospital appintments, had meltdowns, they have vomited and then  refused any attempt getting onto another bus when needed.

My children and myself have are Autistic/Adhd. There is also Dyslexia, Hypermobility, major sensory overload issues at play.

They flee situations when they are challenged and their anxieties have risen, which puts them into dangerous hazardous situations.

It is vital that these disability buggies are acknowledged and recognised as wheelchairs, by ALL staff members.

We should not be abused by your staff members, just to recieve our basic human rights.

We do not owe you an explanation, just to board a bus."

We ask that Heidi Alexander MP Secretary of State for Transport and Jim McMahon Minister of State of Local Government's and Devolution work with us to put this into action across the UK.

Please sign and share, thank you.