In the opening pages of this report, disabled people describe the barriers they face everyday just to get to work, to the doctor, to the shops - to get anywhere. Clearly and courageously, they show the damaging effects that inaccessible journeys have on their human rights, their life chances and their wellbeing.
The Human Rights Commission decision to hold an Inquiry into the accessibility of public land transport was prompted by the experiences of disabled people who came to the Commission seeking enforcement of their right not to be discriminated against in the provision of public transport.
In choosing to hold an Inquiry, the Commission acknowledged the complexities of the issues, with multiple layers of regulation, planning, funding and provision. The Inquiry process provided an open, transparent, non-adversarial examination of the extent of accessibility and how it might best be increased.
This report demonstrates the benefits of an Inquiry process. Disabled people and their organisations provided us with a wealth of information and with detailed proposals. All three levels of government – central, regional and local – have cooperated generously. The key private sector participants who own and operate the buses, trains and taxis willingly provided information about policies and practices.
The Inquiry identified four key requirements for the development of accessible public land transport. They are:
- adoption of a common definition of disability
- direct participation of disabled people in planning processes
- mandatory national accessibility design performance standards
- industry wide training in disability awareness and competency.
While some recommendations require significant initial investment, others can be achieved at relatively modest cost, or within existing budgets.
When implemented, the recommendations will provide a range of returns on the investment made. For example, disabled people will have greater access to education and employment.
What has also emerged clearly from the Inquiry evidence is that all the changes that make public land transport more accessible for disabled people also improve access for non-disabled people, and therefore contribute directly to increased use of public transport