Disability Together is an accredited training centre with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Our Welcome Aboard! Disability Awareness, Diversity and Customer Service Training counts towards bus or coach drivers DVSA CPC accreditation.
For Business
Disability Together is now an approved Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) CPC driver training centre, for bus and coach driver training. The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a legal requirement for professional drivers.
Bus or coach drivers that complete our 7-hour, Welcome Aboard! Disability Awareness, Diversity and Customer Service Training receive seven hours of DVSA CPC accreditation.
The training has been co-produced with Disabled people and in collaboration with bus and coach companies, and drivers themselves.
It recognises the challenges Disabled passengers face, and how staff attitude has a direct impact on their experience and likelihood of using buses.
Key to this training is that bus drivers feel supported. We acknowledge that this is a job with a range of pressure on a daily basis.
The training aims to support drivers, increase their understanding and their confidence in supporting vulnerable passengers. It also includes a wellbeing module to provide further support.
In 2024 we received funding from the Motability Foundation to deliver, alongside Devon Communities Together, a Travelling with Confidence programme.
This travel training was for diverse groups of Disabled people to gain confidence using buses and trains. It became clear the significant impact bus and train drivers had on Disabled people’s likelihood to travel.
Which, in turn, affects Disabled people’s chances of getting to medical appointments, work or simply meeting up with friends or family.
We worked with City bus Plymouth, part of the Go South group delivering half day disability awareness training to bus drivers. With their support and National Centre for Accessible Transport (NCAT) funding, we went on to devise the accredited 7-hour driver training. This was a way to ensure that the training received recognition of its value to both drivers, and Disabled passengers.
We are grateful to City bus and Stagecoach for their support and involvement with the pilot training. It is clear that local bus companies are passionate about providing the best customer service and improving passenger experience. The creation of the Welcome Aboard! training has been made possible by the positive and open communication with these bus companies and their staff.
