14 October 2002
Freedom to Ride for People with Disabilities
Transport Standards under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act will become law tomorrow. These Standards will enable people with disabilities, as well as other Australians, to have access to most public transport throughout the country within a maximum 20-year period.
"This is a very exciting landmark for Australians with disabilities. I congratulate the Commonwealth Government on the passage of this law, and particularly the Attorney-General who has been personally very committed to its passage," said Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Sev Ozdowski, OAM.
"State and Commonwealth Governments, the transport industry and representatives of people with a disability have all made important contributions to this process. Making transport accessible is a huge infrastructural change, probably the largest physical change to Australian society in which this Commission has been involved," Dr Ozdowski said.
The Standard, commencing tomorrow, sets out a 20-year timetable by which almost all public transport will become accessible. Twenty-five percent must be accessible within 5 years, 55% within 10 years, 90% within 15 years and 100% within 20 years. All new public transport structures and rolling stock from today onwards must also be accessible.
"In fact, many transport providers are well ahead of the game," Dr Ozdowski said.
"The State Transit Authority in NSW, for example, reached the 25% landmark for its buses last month, and already a significant number of Cityrail's stations are accessible. Many other transport providers around the country are in similar positions. I think most public transport will be accessible well before the end of the 20 years," he said.
Examples of access include: low-floor buses which enable people with mobility disabilities, as well as many older Australians or parents with strollers, to board more easily; ramps and lifts in railway stations; and announcements on trains and at stations to provide information to people who are blind or vision impaired.
Celebrating the commencement of the Standards, Dr Ozdowski will tomorrow host a bus ride in an accessible State Transit Authority bus from the Commission's premises at 133 Castlereagh St Sydney, to the premises of People with Disabilities in Redfern. The bus departs from the Commission at 11.15am.
Media are welcome to ride with the Commissioner on the bus to see the benefits the Standards will deliver to all Australians.
Media Contacts: Jan Payne 02 9284 9791, James Deefholts 02 9284 9618
Last updated 22 January 2003.
