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Posted on the 9th May 2025 in PHTM News
FONACAB COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING PASSENGERS WITH HUNTINGTONS DISEASE
Huntingdon’s disease Northern Ireland (HDANI) is proud to partner with fonaCAB, the largest private hire taxi company in Northern Ireland to ensure that all of their drivers and call centre staff have information about Huntington’s disease.
fonaCAB has more than a thousand drivers operating around Greater Belfast and surrounding areas, with around up to 100 customer and driver support staff and is among the top ten largest taxi companies in the UK.
According to Sorcha McPhillips, Chief Executive of HDANI: “People with HD often struggle with transport needs and rely heavily on public transport and taxis to allow them to engage with their communities and remain active.
“By providing taxi drivers with information and tips on how to support customers with HD, we are ensuring our family members receive a better service and reducing the threat of social isolation.
“We’re delighted that fonaCAB has been positive in engaging and helping to shine a light on the problems faced”
HDANI has been working with Stephen Anton, Communications Manager at fonaCAB, to deliver tailored and effective messaging to all customer facing fonaCAB staff and drivers which will build customer confidence in using its fleet and help challenge some of the stigma faced by people with HD.
Huntington’s disease is a disability which can manifest itself in many ways, and symptoms can include an unsteady gait and slurred speech which can lead others, including transport service providers, to mistakenly assume the sufferer might be intoxicated and not wish to provide service as a result.
As such, initiatives such as these are important to help all transport providers understand the issues faced and to adapt accordingly
HDANI continues to build on its awareness work and invites any business or service provider to reach out for free information, training and support for their teams.
For more information about HD visit: www.hdani.org.uk or email info@hdani.org.uk .
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