Pedestrian Training in a Special Needs Environment

In 2007, Gateshead Council was successful in its application for funding as part of the Department for Transport’s Road Safety Partnership Grant Scheme. The Grant Scheme is designed to provide Local Highway Authorities with additional support in realising their local casualty reduction targets.

The Grant Scheme is intended to promote a collaborative approach to improving road safety, including the sharing of good practice between local authorities, road safety professionals and other services including education and health sectors, the fire service, the youth service and the voluntary sector.

To this end, this study was aimed at providing increased opportunity for adults with learning disabilities to participate in practical training and other inclusive accessibility projects relating to road safety. Utilising the learning opportunities gained throughout the Kerbcraft pilot project and other mainstream road safety initiatives, Gateshead Council sought to establish good practice and prepare robust, practical, sustainable and transferable guidelines for partnership working with these vulnerable members of the community.

However, it must be stressed that the purpose of this study and associated guidelines, is not to make independent travellers of those involved. The project is designed to give individuals the skills for travel, not assess independency or lead to independent travel. The aim is to raise the awareness of road safety issues for adults with learning disabilities – not necessarily saving collisions/casualties.