Over the years, I’ve used all kinds of transport: taxis, planes, trains, and buses. I travel from Aberdeen to Glasgow by myself regularly — something that used to make me nervous, but now I can do it confidently, with my eyes closed! I travel a lot for work and also fly down to London with my dad to watch West Ham. One of my dreams is to go on a cruise one day.

When I book my flights, I book special assistance. My mum supports me with this because the forms are very complicated and it’s hard to remember all the information.

When I arrive at the airport, I go to the special assistance desk, and my needs are never met.

Even when I fill in the forms and give all the right information, I still have to repeat everything again.

It’s frustrating to explain my needs again and again; there is no point in filling out any forms if this has to be repeated.

My dad gets upset about this because we have done this for six years, and it still does not make any difference. We keep running into the same problems.

This needs to be made simpler for people with learning disabilities.

People with learning disabilities face a lot of barriers with transport. Some of us don’t have bus or train routes near our homes. I use a taxi to get to the bus and train stations.

I am lucky that my work pays for transport for my meetings. If I plan something socially, I have to pay for it myself, and that can be very costly. For some people with learning disabilities, that’s not affordable.

This lack of affordable, accessible transport stops people from leaving their homes. It affects our independence, social lives, and our ability to be part of the community.

People with learning disabilities have different levels of mobility and needs, which affect their independence. Some people can’t use their arms or legs, and it’s hard to get on and off transport without proper support. If we don’t have the right support, we can’t go.

Signs at Aberdeen train station are not clear for people with learning disabilities. They are not easy to read. I know off by heart where I need to go now, but that’s only because I’ve done it so many times.

Also, the tannoy system for announcing trains is far too quiet and can be very hard for people to hear.

This is very important — people who can’t hear well or can’t read can easily miss their train.

I use Passenger Assist when I travel. This is where all of my information goes when I need to board the train.

I have to organise this a week in advance so I can travel. If it’s full or I forget, I might not get the help I need — and that could stop my journey completely.

Passenger Assist is needed, but not just through bookings. Passenger Assist should be available when you arrive.

Journeys can’t always be planned ahead; sometimes we have to go last minute and urgently, so we can’t book it, and you still deserve support. Travel should be possible even when plans change.

My advice to others with learning disabilities: plan early. Book your assistance and your space on transport as soon as you can — it helps avoid cancellations and makes everything easier.

There are good experiences too. I am a frequent traveller and the special assistant staff team at Aberdeen train station now know me well. They know my name and what I need, without me having to explain.

I feel welcomed because I feel noticed.

Having that relationship has boosted my confidence to travel. This makes a huge difference to my travel and to others around me, too.

With the right help, I can travel independently. I don’t have to rely on anyone else. Having accessible travel has opened my eyes to the world, it has stopped me relying on others to take me places, and given me freedom I never thought I’d have.

The right to travel freely is important to my happiness, and without it, I would be housebound. Having paid employment has given me confidence and the opportunity to travel, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.

My next plan is to go on a cruise. Exploring the world is something that I enjoy and want to do more of. Travelling opens so many new opportunities and experiences, and I would struggle without that freedom.