Motability Foundation and RNIB to explore how journeys can be improved for people with sight loss

The three-year partnership will see both organisations share their expertise and work collaboratively on a series of projects that will develop and trial new accessible transport solutions for blind and partially sighted people. The partnership will also take a pan-disability approach to ensure projects benefit as many disabled people as possible.

The Motability Foundation previously grant funded the RNIB’s Inclusive Journeys report, published in April 2023. It highlighted the unique challenges that people with sight loss face when making journeys, and how addressing these could deliver a greater sense of independence and improved public transport service for all.

The partnership will build on these findings, convening and collaborating with the transport and technology sectors to address some of the biggest issues that prevent disabled people from making the journeys they choose. The Motability Foundation and RNIB also want to test what is possible if the latest technology is used to assist disabled people with making journeys independently.

Any solutions developed through the partnership will be co-designed with blind and partially sighted people, and the Motability Foundation and RNIB will also seek opportunities to involve other organisations, transport providers and disability groups in its joint work.

Nicola Gampell, Innovation Manager at the Motability Foundation said: “We’re really proud to be launching our new innovation partnership with the RNIB. We have a shared goal in wanting to improve journeys for people with sight loss, and we have identified complementary expertise and experience across our organisations. We hope that by working together can find some exciting ways of utilising new technology and make journeys more accessible for all.”

Jim Sanders, RNIB’s Director of Innovation, said: “We know that not being able to get out and about independently can have a huge impact on the lives of blind and partially sighted people, from limiting their employment prospects to isolating them from friends. That’s why this partnership with the Motability Foundation is so important.

“Collaborative working is vital to developing solutions and encouraging society to change behaviour and processes, so that people with sight loss can safely make the journeys they want, when they want.”