One of the greatest inequalities facing disabled people is access to transport. Without accessible, affordable transport, many are cut off from their communities and the level of independence they can achieve is compromised.
The problems aren’t just about physical access, although this is bad enough. Under the disability discrimination acts, public transport doesn’t even have to be fully accessible until 2017. Even then, railway carriages need only have a ramp operated by platform staff -Êbooked 24 hours in advance. Why aren’t they designing railway carriages with integrated automatic ramps?
London Transport has wheelchair-accessible buses, but many drivers haven’t been trained to use them. Some people with mental health difficulties, like my friend with agoraphobia, are frightened to use buses on their own. Twenty years ago in Trieste, Italy, the bus drivers were receiving training to help people with learning difficulties and mental health problems – why isn’t this routine today?
Many mobility-impaired people, most of whom are elderly, only travel using Dial-a-Ride schemes, which are stretched to capacity, and usually have to be booked well in advance. Most services limit the distance and number of journeys someone can make.
Now, an EU manufacturing ruling (Framework Ruling 70/156/EEC) threatens national production of wheelchair-accessible vehicles. In this country, 30 companies convert 8,000 vehicles for wheelchair accessibility each year. Volume production has meant that a vehicle that cost £18,000 10 years ago, now costs £13,000. This EC directive will reduce the limit of any model a company can produce from 500 to 75 per year, which will push up costs. Even with benefits this puts converted vehicles beyond the reach of most people.
Our government helped this happen. The Department for Transport was aware of the consequences when it was negotiating this bill with the EU. The legislation has its second reading in the European parliament soon, so anyone who feels strongly should raise the issue with their MEP.
Public transport and disabled people
July 20, 2006 in Disability
More from Community Care
Related articles:
Job of the week
Featured jobs
Employer Zone
‘Solutions can’t be scripted here – you have to be creative’
Putting a team around the social worker to make a difference to families
How working in residential care enables staff to build one-on-one relationships with young people
‘We will always challenge ourselves to transform our services to improve outcomes for children and families’
‘It’s our job is to observe the child, find their voice and be their advocate’
Employer zone – showcasing a selection of the sector’s top recruiters
Community Care Inform
Latest stories
Twenty per cent rise in children’s social workers quitting sector last year, suggest government figures
Arthur review: ‘systemically flawed’ joint working undermined agencies’ ability to uncover abuse of boy
Arthur and Star cases show need for expert child protection units, finds review
Council at risk of losing control of children’s services as DfE sends in commissioner
Comments are closed.