Travel card will help brain injury survivors communicate their needs

East Midlands Railway has teamed up with Headway Derby to offer a new card helping brain injury survivors communicate their needs when travelling.

The free card allows passengers to discreetly inform staff that they have a brain injury and may need support, without having to explain their condition aloud.

It was developed using guidelines from Communication Access UK – an initiative made up of charities and organisations aiming to improve life for people with communication difficulties.

The Headway Derby EMR TALK Card reads: “I have a brain injury, please be patient.”

The reverse includes space for the customer’s name and an emergency contact number, should they wish to provide it.

Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at EMR, said: “Research from Headway – the brain injury association – shows that more than three-quarters of brain injury survivors struggle daily due to their hidden disability.

“We want to play our part to help and this card is a simple way for our staff to quickly understand that a customer with a hidden disability like a brain injury may require additional support while travelling with us.

“We would like to thank Headway Derby for approaching us and working with us to produce this important new card.”

Since East Midlands Railway (EMR) launched the series of cards, more than 3,000 customers have contacted the operator to request one.

The cards cover a variety of support scenarios and offer a practical way to let staff know what help may be needed.

Acquired brain injuries (ABI) can result from illness or trauma, including stroke, meningitis, brain tumours and other causes.

The effects vary widely and may impact physical, emotional, cognitive (thinking and information processing) and behavioural abilities.

Many of these effects are non-visible, meaning ABI is often referred to as a “hidden disability”.

For many brain injury survivors and their carers, this can result in a lack of understanding or appropriate support, according to anecdotal evidence.

EMR said it hopes the new card will offer a simple and effective way for staff to recognise when a customer may need extra help.

Emma Morris, chief executive officer at Headway Derby, said: “At Headway Derby, we know that even everyday tasks like using public transport can become incredibly challenging after a brain injury.

“The TALK CARD is a simple but powerful tool that gives survivors greater confidence and independence when travelling by rail.

“We’re proud to support this initiative with EMR, which shows real understanding and commitment to making rail travel more accessible and inclusive.”