London, UK – February 2025 – As Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March) approaches, Travel Hands is proud to celebrate a milestone that champions accessibility and inclusion—completing 1,000 journeys for visually impaired people (VIPs) across London. This achievement underscores the charity’s commitment to fostering social mobility, reducing isolation, and advocating for equal access to safe and independent travel.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) was established to highlight the challenges faced by individuals with developmental disabilities, promote inclusion, and encourage communities to embrace accessibility-focused solutions. It serves as a crucial reminder that mobility is not just about physical movement but also about social participation, independence, and mental well-being.
For VIPs and individuals with developmental disabilities, navigating urban spaces presents daily challenges—from inaccessible transport systems to a lack of awareness in public environments. The barriers to mobility often contribute to isolation and exclusion, affecting mental health and overall quality of life. Travel Hands actively addresses these issues by offering a structured and secure way for VIPs to travel safely and confidently.
Travel Hands was founded to create a more accessible and inclusive London by pairing visually impaired people with vetted and trained Travel Hands Guides (sighted volunteers) who assist them in traveling safely. The service goes beyond mobility—it nurtures social connections and alleviates loneliness, making an impact that aligns seamlessly with the goals of DDAM.
One of the biggest challenges VIPs and people with developmental disabilities face is social isolation. Statistics show that individuals with disabilities are significantly more likely to experience loneliness and mental health struggles due to barriers in mobility. Travel Hands aims to break this cycle through safe, structured travel companionship.
Every journey is conducted with the utmost safety measures in place, including:
- Enhanced DBS Checks –
All volunteers undergo thorough vetting through the UK government’s Enhanced DBS process. - Training & Testing –
Volunteers receive training on guiding VIPs and must pass a qualification quiz. - Secure Identification –
A one-time code system allows VIPs and Travel Hands Guides to recognize each other securely. - Live Customer Support –
Travel Hands’ customer service team monitors journeys and provides real-time assistance when needed.
“Reaching 1,000 journeys is a proud milestone, but what truly matters is the change we bring to people’s lives,” said Ishan Jha, Founder of Travel Hands. “Mobility should never be a barrier to mental well-being. As we observe Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we want to highlight that simple human connections—like a conversation during a walk—can be life-changing.”
The impact of Travel Hands extends beyond just transportation—it transforms lives. For example, a VIP battling cancer found companionship and reassurance in a Travel Hands Guide who accompanied her to medical appointments, easing the anxiety of navigating London alone. Another tragic case highlights the reality of isolation: a VIP passed away alone in his home, unnoticed for weeks. These stories underscore the urgent need for inclusive, accessible travel solutions.
As we observe Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Travel Hands urges individuals, businesses, and policymakers to take action. Whether by volunteering as a Travel Hands Guide, advocating for accessibility, or supporting inclusive mobility solutions, there are many ways to make a difference.
About Travel Hands
Travel Hands, CIO No. 1201509, is a UK-based charity dedicated to making London more accessible for visually impaired people. By matching VIPs with trained volunteers, Travel Hands provides a safe, reliable, and socially enriching travel experience, ensuring that mobility is never a barrier to connection and independence. Since 44% of VIPs in the UK use smartphones, we operate through both a call centre and mobile web apps. Our dashboard allows the customer service team to match requests, chat with users, and monitor journeys for safety. When a VIP requests a journey, either directly or through our team, we notify nearby Travel Hands. The accepted volunteer picks up the VIP and walks them to their destination. VIPs pay a small fee per trip, while Travel Hands provide flexible support. As a thank you, Travel Hands earn rewards that can be redeemed in the app. Businesses can promote their products or services as rewards for users to claim.
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