The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has released new guidelines for public transport operators, setting out standards for ensuring people with disability enjoyed ‘equivalent access’ when using transport services.
Launched by Disability Discrimination Commissioner Ben Gauntlett, the new ‘Guidelines: Equivalent Access under the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Cth)’, were developed by AHRC and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
Dr Gauntlett said the Guidelines provided information on the operation of the equivalent access provisions of the Transport Standards, their interaction with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), as well as practical guidance regarding considerations when developing or implementing equivalent access measures.
“More than one in five (21.7 per cent) Australians with disability need help using transport,” Dr Gauntlett said.
“Public transport by its nature is for everyone. It gets us to school, work, recreation activities and home,” he said.
“Its role in connecting all the essential elements of our lives means that ensuring its accessibility is critical.”
Dr Gauntlett said the Guidelines were developed in response to operators and providers seeking greater clarity on using the existing Transport Standards equivalent access provisions.
“In developing the Guidelines, the Commission conducted a series of targeted consultations with more than 40 organisations, including people with disability and their representatives, operators and providers of public transport, and State and Federal Government public transport Departments,” he said.
“In addition to offering clarity to public transport operators and providers, the Guidelines may also assist people with disability and their representatives in understanding their rights in relation to public transport, and promote collaboration between all stakeholder groups,” Dr Gauntlett said.
The AHRC’s 66-page Guidelines can be accessed at this PS News link.
