Red Funnel has announced it will be enhancing its service to provide a more accessible customer experience onboard its ferries in April 2023.
Through its partnership with the National Autistic Society (NAS), the Isle of Wight ferry company has identified ways to make its vessels more accessible for autistic and neurodiverse customers.
Island Ambassador programme
The announcement comes after the ferry operator’s recent launch of its Island Ambassador programme, which saw 26 local community members and groups supported with travel for off Island competitions.
One of Red Funnel’s Island Ambassadors, Corey Kent, is an autistic jiu jitsu ambassador, and is aiming for the British Open Championship this year, hoping to inspire other people with disabilities to follow their dreams.
Familiarisation visits
Alongside implementing more passenger assistance, and auditing its existing signage, the ferry operator will begin offering familiarisation visits for passengers before the date of travel.
Red Funnel will also begin trialling a sensory pack which will include items such as fidget spinners, stress balls, ear defenders, and hygienic wipes. Customers will also be given a card to enable them to seek assistance without the need to have direct, and often uncomfortable, conversations.
Follows a service audit
The improvements were made following a service audit compiled in partnership with the National Autistic Society as part of a pilot project funded by the Department of Transport to tackle loneliness within communities by making public transport more accessible to autistic people. The partnership allows the ferry operator to access NAS e-learning and consultants, as well as wider transport providers who are involved in the pilot project.
Flintoft-Smith: Will help to remove at least one of the difficulties faced
Christine Flintoft-Smith, Head of Autism Accreditation at the National Autistic Society said,
“Loneliness is a common feature in the lives of autistic people and their families. There are a number of different barriers that can be faced when trying to access local communities.
“Our hope is that by making modes of public transport more autism friendly, through better staff understanding and accessible information and environments, it will help to remove at least one of the difficulties faced.”
Collins: Autism-friendly considerations and adaptations will benefit our customers
Fran Collins, Chief Executive Officer at Red Funnel, added,
“We want to make our ferries as accessible as possible for all passengers, and following feedback from our recent Customer Forum, we have made several key improvements for autistic customers.
“We have been working with the National Autistic Society to provide our colleagues with further training and to help us assess opportunities to improve our service.
“We believe that autism-friendly considerations and adaptations to our service will benefit our customers.”
Red Funnel’s new Website, due to launch in the spring, will be fully accessible, and later in the year, will include video tours of its facilities.
Customer Forum
Red Funnel will be hosting its next Customer Forum session on Tuesday 23rd May.
Customers interested in attending a future Customer Forum, can contact [email protected].
News shared by Josey on behalf of Red Funnel. Ed
