Tonight, Seema Flower was honoured to attend an important reception at the House of Lords, hosted by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE DL on behalf of the Accessible Transport Policy Commission. Held in the historic Cholmondeley Room and Terrace, the event brought together parliamentarians, disabled people, industry leaders and transport professionals to reflect on the progress being made across the UK transport network—and the crucial work still to be done.
The evening combined powerful personal reflections with policy insight, giving a clear message: accessibility is not a luxury. It is a fundamental right, and one that must be embedded into every aspect of transport design, operation and regulation.
Powerful Contributions from Leaders Driving Change
The speaker line-up reflected the cross-party, cross-sector commitment to improving accessibility.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE DL
As Chair of the Accessible Transport Policy Commission, Baroness Grey-Thompson opened the event by emphasising that accessible transport is essential for equality, independence and social participation. Drawing on decades of advocacy work, she outlined the Commission’s mission: to remove barriers for disabled people through research, practical recommendations and meaningful collaboration between Parliament, government, industry and disabled communities.
Simon Lightwood MP, Minister for Accessibility at the Department for Transport
Simon Lightwood MP highlighted the government’s commitment to creating an inclusive transport system. He outlined ongoing and upcoming initiatives designed to tackle systemic barriers—from station accessibility improvements to staff training, digital integration and investment in inclusive infrastructure.
Emma Partlow, CEO of the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat)
In her first major address as CEO of ncat, Emma Partlow spoke about the Centre’s role in bringing evidence, lived experience and practical solutions together. She stressed the importance of grounding all recommendations in the real experiences of disabled travellers, ensuring policy is not only ambitious but deliverable.
Clive Gilbert, Head of Accessible Transport at Policy Connect
Clive Gilbert reflected on the collaborative nature of the Commission’s work, noting that positive change requires partnership between policymakers, transport operators, innovators and disabled people. He also celebrated the progress being made but reminded the room that accessibility gaps still prevent thousands from travelling safely, confidently and independently.
A Room United by a Shared Purpose
The reception created space for honest conversations about the challenges disabled people still face on trains, buses, taxis, stations and the wider public realm. For Seema—whose lived experience navigating inaccessible environments shapes her work at Blind Ambition—the discussions resonated deeply.
Themes from the evening included:
Accessibility as a human rights issue, not an afterthought The value of co-design with disabled people from the earliest stages The need for better data, research and lived-experience insight The importance of staff training and cultural change across transport services Cross-party political commitment, essential for long-term progress
The event also underscored the importance of employment and representation. When disabled people shape policy, design systems and inform decision-making, accessibility moves closer to becoming the norm—not an exception.
Why This Matters
Transport is independence. It is access to employment, healthcare, education, family, culture and community. For millions of disabled people in the UK, inaccessible transport currently stands in the way of full participation in society.
Events like this show what is possible when government, industry and disabled leaders work together with ambition and urgency.
Seema left the House of Lords inspired, encouraged and determined to continue advocating for a transport system—and a society—that works for everyone.
