Travel assistance is Network Rail’s service to make rail services more accessible for people with disabilities. If you have difficulty walking long distances, use a wheelchair or scooter the service can help with getting on and off trains. It is recommended to book at least 24 hours before your journey to give time to make arrangements if for example, the station is not step free.
My experiences have been very good, each time an attendant with a ramp was ready in good time to board the train and my natural apprehension has always been alleviated when someone was waiting at the destination station, although just in case, I always carry the Travel Assistance contact number.
There are reports where people have had difficulties because the assistance has not been there or they have the wrong ramp for the type of carriage, but for the most part it
seems to work.
For a list of contacts visit nationalrail.co.uk and search for “Information for disabled passengers”
Taxis
I recently visited London to participate in a research project and was quite apprehensive because it was the first time I had gone in my wheelchair and had been told to get a black cab. At Euston there was a designated rank and as soon as we arrived a cab pulled up and set up a ramp. It was tight but boarding was not a problem. All cabs also have an intermediate step and high visibility grab handles to help people with limited mobility enter the vehicle. I was impressed that on each occasion when hailing a taxi in the middle of London the first available cab always stopped without hesitation, although admittedly one cabbie was enthusiastic to try his ramp having just completed “the knowledge”. Apparently all licensed black cabs drivers receive training and their cabs are wheelchair accessible. 
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