DISABILITY AWARENESS
BUSINESS CASE FOR INCLUSIVE TAXIS AND HOW TO ASSIST PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES
By Dan Morgan-Williams Visualise Training and Consultancy 07472305268
Picture this: you pull up for a job, and your passenger is waiting with a white cane, a guide dog, or maybe a hearing aid. Do you know the best way to support them? Get it right, and you’ve gained a loyal customer. Get it wrong, and you risk complaints, lost fares, or even a fine. This article explains why disability awareness is good for business – and gives you practical tips to support disabled passengers with confidence.
Why disability awareness matters in taxi driving
Let’s be straight; this isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about good business. Millions of people in the UK live with disabilities, and they all need safe, reliable transport. The spending power of disabled people and their families – known as the ‘purple pound’ – is worth over £250 billion a year. If your service is welcoming and accessible, you’ll win repeat business, better reviews and fewer complaints. On the other hand, if you turn people away or don’t know what to do, you risk fines, lost fares, and damage to your reputation.
Common barriers passengers face
Here are some of the problems passengers with disabilities often run into when using taxis: l A blind passenger can’t see you flash your lights when you arrive.
l A deaf passenger can’t hear you call out of the window.
l Guide dog users are sometimes refused rides (which is illegal).
l A passenger with limited mobility feels rushed or unsafe getting in and out.
l Some passengers feel anxious if treated differently or without respect.
How to support disabled passengers better
Here are some simple, practical things you can do straight away:
42
l Announce yourself clearly: “Taxi for John, I’m your driver.”
l Speak clearly and face the passenger – don’t shout. l Never refuse a guide dog – it’s the law. l Ask before helping: “Would you like a hand with the door?”
l Give passengers time to get in and out safely – don’t rush them.
l Check the seatbelt is comfortable and reachable.
The real impact – why it’s good for you When you know how to
support disabled
passengers, everyone wins: l More regular customers who trust you. l Better tips and more positive reviews. l Less stress because you know what to do in tricky situations.
l A more professional reputation. l Protection from complaints and fines under the Equality Act 2010.
Being refused a taxi ride as a guide dog owner is still all too common. This video addresses this and explains the legal aspects:
https://shorturl.at/10naQ
Disability awareness e-learning: easy training, big benefits
We know drivers are busy, so we’ve made the training simple and flexible. The Disability Awareness e-Learning Course takes around 90 minutes to complete online. You can do it on your phone, tablet, or computer whenever it suits you. It’s interactive, with real-life scenarios, quizzes, and videos to keep it engaging. It costs just £30 + VAT – a small investment for a big reward.
Take action now
If you want less stress, more fares, and happier passengers, it’s time to invest in yourself. Sign up today for the Disability Awareness e-Learning Course and show your passengers you care. l Click here to enrol now:
https://shorturl.at/vzLxh
Don’t wait for a complaint, a fine, or a bad review to remind you why this matters. Get ahead, get confident, and give every passenger the service they deserve.
DECEMBER 2025 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
