AoC Sport, a membership organisation for college sport and physical activity, has announced a new partnership with National Express Accessible Transport.
National Express Accessible Transport (NEAT) provides home to school transport for over 1,500 students with special education needs and disabilities on behalf of several local authorities across the West Midlands and Warwickshire.
In line with AoC’s sport-led strategy to remove barriers to physical activity for disabled students, the partnership with NEAT provides new opportunities for disabled students to enjoy sport where they might otherwise face transport challenges.
AoC Sport and Natspec member colleges across the West Midlands will benefit from preferential rates on NEAT services, providing much needed relief at a time of funding pressures and significant changes.
Disability Development Officer Shannon Howarth said: “In our Active for College, Work and Life strategy we found that a lack of transport is a major barrier for disabled students in being active. This partnership with NEAT will help us support the transport needs of colleges who will be attending our disability and inclusive sport events when they hopefully resume next year.”
NEAT services will support the unique transport needs of students and colleges attending multi-sport disability events once the events are able to resume. With a fully accessible fleet, minibuses can accommodate up to six wheelchairs with ramps or lifts for easy access.
Initially aimed at West Midlands college members taking students to disability sports events and fixtures, it is hoped that the partnership and services will expand to other areas during 2021.
Vinay Parmar, Managing Director of National Express Accessible Transport, said: “We’re really excited about this new partnership with AoC Sport and look forward to working together to deliver the best possible services for members, once sporting events can restart.
“As one of the largest accessible transport providers in the West Midlands we believe this is a brilliant opportunity to ensure each and every student has the opportunity to access and enjoy the sporting activities and events that they deserve.”
