The 2026 Outlook: An Accessibility Fork in the Road
What we can expect in 2026.
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2026 marks a pivotal year for transport and aviation accessibility, with UK rail reforms expected to accelerate accessibility and level boarding initiatives. With foundational work underway under the Railways Bill, alongside emerging new aviation frameworks and EU laws that drive broader compliance, we could move in the right direction. It’s a fork in the road, and we will see whether this is all window dressing and nothing changes, or whether there is genuine progress toward a more accessible future.
Level Boarding and Rolling Stock Orders
In 12 months, we will know if all railway initiatives and warm words were just that, warm words, or if we see real progress in law, in procurement and in practice.
Will level boarding be established appropriately in law?
Will Southeastern finally order new trains, and will they provide step-free access? Will any other train operator order low-floor trains, or are there still inaccessible trains on the order form?
The points above are clear indicators for everyone to assess whether the government, the DfT, and the railway industry are delivering on accessibility.
Accessibility in UK Railway Law
The Railways Bill, currently in the parliamentary process, will make “provision about railways and railway services, and for connected purposes”. That’s the official purpose of the law.
If accessibility is not properly manifested in the law now, it won’t happen for a long time. I think I made it pretty clear in the past years how that should look: Ringfenced money for accessibility and a long-term plan by when which station will be accessible.
Don’t buy any high-floor trains anymore. I’m not the biggest Deutsche Bahn fan (and that’s an understatement), but if even Deutsche Bahn can buy low-floor trains for high-speed routes, the UK has to catch up. Every high-floor train procured in 2026 is would be a waste of taxpayers’ money, and the generations after us will think we were Neanderthals with too much money to spend.
Accessibility of coaches
In the UK, buses and coaches with 22 or more seats used for rail replacement services and school transport must be accessible unless they have an exemption. The applicable law is the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 (PSVAR) (yes, year 2000, and not a new law).
Despite the law and ample time to adjust, the coach industry still has inaccessible buses. The exemptions granted by the Department for Transport will expire on 31 July 2026. From 1 August 2026, operators will be expected to comply with PSVAR in full. So, will that barrier for rail replacement and school transport be finally removed by July, or will there be a new “exemption”?
CAA Accessibility Frameworks
While rail will dominate 2026 headlines, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is on route to advance its accessibility frameworks, still building on EU law to mandate clearer airport and hopefully airline obligations for disabled passengers.
No specific 2026 CAA deadlines have emerged yet. Still, the existing airport framework is expected to be updated, and airlines will also receive their own framework by the end of the year. That’s my optimistic prognosis at least.
Aircraft Cabins with Wheelchair Access
Progress on wheelchair-accessible aircraft cabins remains a dream. Airlines face pressure to install onboard wheelchair spaces. I’m not very optimistic that much will happen in 2026. I hope I’m proven wrong, but I don’t expect any cabin to become operational. If one system gets a regulator approval, that would be something.
EU Accessibility Law and Impact
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), effective from June 2025, profoundly influences the future for the disability community in Europe. I’m very curious to see the law’s impact, not just in the EU but also in the UK. French supermarkets are among the first test cases for the law’s effectiveness. I hope that if companies have to make a product accessible under EU law, they won’t make it inaccessible for the UK market. So if the law is effective (which I have some doubts about), it will have an impact in the UK too in 2026. I’m thinking of brands’ websites, for example.
These are the topics I keep an eye on this year. I wish you all a great 2026. Please look after yourself and cheer for accessibility!
Christiane Link
Some interesting links
One of the best articles I've read about accessibility and aviation for a long time. I hate the debate about abuse of assistance. The reasons are well explained in the article. It’s really time for airports to appreciate their disabled and older customers. They won’t get replaced by others.
1/3 of Transport for London lifts can automatically report their status.
Disney has a similar issue as some airports. They underestimated the number of disabled people and judged badly who is “disabled enough”. Now they face legal issues.
Something to read
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published its response to The Transport Committee’s Railway Bill inquiry.
Something to watch
Did you know that BT’s best-selling phone was the one with big buttons?
Some final words
The Accessible Link is a reader-supported publication.
Who is writing this newsletter?
I’m Christiane Link, and I improve the customer experience in aviation, transport, and travel. I worked as a journalist for over two decades and travelled extensively for business and leisure. I’m a wheelchair user.
Work with me
Whether you're a Customer Service Director, a Head of Customer Experience, a corporate Accessibility Manager, a DEI leader, a transport planner, or a member of a disabled employee resource group, I can help you make your organisation more inclusive. You can book me for speaking engagements or hire me as a consultant for your accessibility or DEI strategy, communications advice and other related matters. I have worked for airlines, airports, train operators, public transport providers, and companies in other sectors.
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