From: Penny Clarke [pclarke@tscnsw.org.au]
Sent: Friday, 29 June, 2001 11:47
To: 'disabdis@humanrights.gov.au'
Cc: Rob White; Deborah Hoffman; Robyn Chapman; Ally Dench;
'pdcnsw@pdcnsw.org.au'
Subject: Submission - wheelchair accessible taxi services

Dear Commission
The Spastic Centre welcomes the opportunity to provide comment on the issue of wheelchair accessible taxi services.  Established in 1945, our organisation has a long history of advocating and providing services and supports for people with disability. The Physical Disability Council of NSW has provided a detailed submission on the issues and inequities in relation to taxi transport for people with disabilities.  We fully support this submission and emphasise  the need for universally accessible taxi transport.  Having a small number of taxis that are specifically modified perpetuates discrimination within the community. If disability is to be regarded as falling inside the usual spectrum of community experience, then all taxis need to be accessible to all members of the community.  The stigma of the "disabled taxi" needs to be removed. Additionally, a discriminatory practice which must be addressed is the financial burden imposed on people with disabilities by the cost involved in the time needed for them to enter and leave the taxi.  In some instances this may be considerable.  A possible solution to this issue is the payment of a subsidy to the taxi operators to cover this additional cost which is not incurred by non disabled passengers. The service users of the Kingsgrove Community Access Service, a division of The Spastic Centre, have also lodged a submission which we endorse. Clearly the experience of passengers with disabilities underlines the need to address the discriminatory impact of current services. Thankyou for the opportunity to comment on this important issue.

Liz Foy
Manager
Community Development
The Spastic Centre