Leeds railway station has received the National Autistic Society’s Neuroinclusive Access Silver Award for its work to make the station more accessible to neurodivergent passengers.
The station is managed by Network Rail, with customer support from Northern. Improvements introduced by the team include quiet spaces, sensory support bags and clearer signage showing where passengers can obtain help or information.
Changes to the station environment
The sensory bags contain stress balls, colouring pencils, colouring books, ear plugs and an autism-friendly guide to travelling by train. Leeds has also installed video screens with British Sign Language and subtitles, and reduced the volume of public announcements to limit the impact of loud noise.
Station staff have received autism awareness training covering how to adapt support to individual passengers. This includes allowing extra time to process information, checking understanding and recognising the potential effects of noise, bright lights and unexpected changes.
Jason Slassor, training and competency specialist at Leeds station, said: “We want everyone who travels through Leeds station to feel welcome, supported and confident in their journey. The autism awareness training has helped our team better understand how different people experience the station environment and given them practical ways to adapt their approach to each individual’s needs.
“Simple actions, such as allowing extra time to process information, checking understanding and being aware of the impact that noise, bright lights or unexpected changes can have, can make a real difference to someone’s journey experience.
“Seeing the positive impact these changes can have on passengers and their families has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m proud that the efforts of our colleagues have been recognised with this award.”
Lisa Myers, head of National Autistic Society: Learn, said the award recognised Leeds station’s “embedded practices to meet the needs of neurodivergent people and their families”.
She added: “There are lots of small changes businesses can make to better support neurodivergent people, and just a little understanding can go a long way. We hope to work with as many businesses as possible to help create a society that works for autistic and other neurodivergent people.”
The National Autistic Society’s Neuroinclusive Accreditation Programme is described by the charity as the UK’s first autism-specific quality assurance programme. It provides awards intended to support organisations and services across sectors in developing practices for neurodivergent people and their families.