STEP Launch — THE DISABILITY POLICY CENTRE

Panel Launch of ‘A Street Transformation Execution Plan’

We were delighted to welcome so many of you to the Houses of Parliament for the launch of our new report, A Street Transformation: Execution Plan (STEP), on Tuesday 14th October. The event brought together council leaders, academics, policy makers, disability advocates and built-environment experts to examine how our streets can become truly accessible for everyone.

Pavement parking, street clutter, bins and roadworks can be often overlooked, but the impact that they can have on the daily lives of disabled people can be huge. Our research shows that embedding accessibility into planning and decision-making is essential.

The panel discussion was hosted by Rebecca Paul MP and chaired by Dr Shani Dhanda and featured contributions from a fantastic group of expert speakers: Louise Connop, Ian Oakley, Arun Veerappan, Emma Partlow, Alistair Crisp and Dr Arun Ulahannan. Their insights on inclusive design, local authority leadership, community engagement and policy implementation gave the audience much to consider.

We want to extend a thank you to everyone who attended the event and shared their experiences for our research. Your input is vital as we work together to make real change Thank you as well to our funders the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) and to Coventry City Council for partnering with us on this important research.

We hope that the Street Transformation Execution Plan will serve as a blueprint for local authorities and national government, to ensure that our streets are accessible for all.

You can read our report and explore the gallery from the event below.

Read Our Report Here

A full room of attendees seated and listening attentively during the report launch event in a parliamentary room, with A Street Transformation reports visible on the tables.

An attendee reading the A Street Transformation report during the panel discussion, with speakers Louise, Ian, and others at the front beside a Disability Policy Centre banner and a sign language interpreter.

Panel discussion in a parliamentary room hosted by the Disability Policy Centre. At the front, from left to right: Dr Shani Dhanda (chair), Rebecca Paul MP, Louise Connop, and Ian Oakley, seated beside a DPC banner.

A panel discussion in a parliamentary room with attendees seated around a curved table. From right to left: Arun Veerapan, Emma Partlow, Alister Crisp, and Dr Arun Ulahannah participating in conversation.

An audience member using a powered wheelchair speaks and gestures during the discussion, surrounded by attendees seated and listening attentively in the parliamentary room.

Group photo of event speakers Dr Shani Dhanda, Arun Veerapan, Emma Partlow, Alister Crisp, Louise Connop, and Ian Oakley, taken in a parliamentary room beside a Disability Policy Centre banner.

Ian speaking with a guest during the event, while Arun, Alister, and Louise talk in the background inside the parliamentary room.

Speaker Arun Veerappan speaking and gesturing while other panelists listen during the discussion. Several A Street Transformation reports are visible on the table in front of them.

An attendee reading the A Street Transformation report during the event, with Dr Shani Dhanda, Louise, and Ian visible at the front beside a Disability Policy Centre banner.

Photograph of 2 rows of audience members seated at the back of a Parliament room, all looking towards the front of the room. There are reports on peoples laps and a clock and lights on the wall behind.

Panel discussion in a parliamentary room hosted by the Disability Policy Centre. At the front, from left to right: Alistair, Emma Paltrow, Arun Veerappan, Dr Shani Dhanda (chair), Rebecca Paul MP and Louise Connop, seated on a round table in front of

Host Dr Shandi is stood up speaking an attendee and the end of the panel. Other speakers Arun, Alistair and Louise can be seen in the background also mingling.

An attendee speaks during the discussion while others listen around the table, with A Street Transformation reports and notes visible on the desks in the parliamentary room.