http://www.mssociety.org.uk/news_events/news/daily/accessibility.html

6 December 2002

The Government has launched a consultation on whether transport services should be subject to anti-discrimination legislation Government plans transport access changes

Refusing to allow someone to travel because they have a disability could be and whether current exemptions in Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act should be lifted.

It proposes to make it unlawful to provide a lower standard of service to disabled people and refuse to provide services on the ground of disability.

It also plans to require operators to review working practices, policies and procedures which make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for a
disabled person to use transport services.

Transport Minister David Jamieson, said: "It is unacceptable that transport operators can still lawfully deny a person access to a vehicle for no other reason than that person is disabled.

"While this sort of discrimination is becoming rarer, best practice is not universal. Removing the exemption will give disabled people the right to challenge transport operators to improve their services."

The consultation follows a recommendation from the Disability Rights Task Force in their report, "From Exclusion to Inclusion" and has been issued to the transport industries, disability organisations and other interested bodies. The consultation period runs until 28 February 2003.

Copies of the consultation paper are available from the Department for Transport's Mobility and Inclusion Unit, 1/18, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR. Tel 020 7944 6100

Copies are available in print, tape and in Braille. A summary version is also available for people with learning disabilities.