Dear Editor,

Like most of us, I don’t think twice before hopping on a bus or train to go to work, meet friends or do a spot of shopping.

However, for millions of people across the country who are deaf or have hearing loss, barriers on public transport can make even every day journeys feel impossible.

Challenges like inaccessible live travel information and a lack of deaf awareness from transport staff can cause huge amounts of stress and anxiety and even force people with hearing loss to stop using public transport altogether.

These are the shocking findings in Clear Signals, a major new report from RNID which found widespread accessibility barriers on public transport in the UK, including buses, trains and ferries.

It’s unacceptable that in 2026, people with hearing loss are facing these barriers, simply because they want to get from A to B.

As our report makes clear, solutions do exist but it needs a coordinated response. We’re calling on the Government and transport sector to take action, so everyone has access to the safe and independent travel they deserve.

Yours sincerely,

Victoria Boelman
Director of Policy at RNID – the national charity supporting the more than 18 million people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.