New guidelines designed to improve access to bus, rail and light rail services for people with disabilities were published today.
The Recommended Accessibility Guidelines for Public Transport Operators, drawn up by the National Disability Authority (NDA), were first proposed in 2004. Since then, the organisation has conducted a nationwide consultation process in a bid to help ease the travel problems faced by people with disabilities.
The guidelines cover ways of overcoming the physical barriers to travel, such as access to bus and light rail vehicles, stops and stations. They also include disability awareness training, ways of providing information and improving customer relations, and policies to help disabled people in an emergency.
Ivor Callely was presented with transport accessibility guidelines by the NDA
The document was presented to the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Ivor Callely, by the chairperson of the National Disability Authority, Dr Angela Kerins.
Speaking at the launch of the guidelines, Dr Kerins described the publication as another step in helping transport operators make their services more accessible to passengers with disabilities.
"The recommendations are based on the principle of 'Transport for All' which focuses on the whole experience of a journey, from the provision of information that is accessible, the accessibility of vehicles and buildings, to disability awareness training for staff, and consultation and communication with people with disabilities," said Dr Kerins.
"These recommendations will hopefully form the basis for further improvements of the accessibility of public transport and become an integral part of the recently launched National Transport Plan and the Department of Transport's Sectoral Plan."
Mr Callelly said the recommended guidelines would help to shape policy in the regulation of public transport. "I am firmly of the view that the provision of accessible transport is the essential prerequisite of full participation in everyday activities by people with disabilities," he said. "Many of us take for granted our easy access to, and participation in, every day services, educational and leisure opportunities, work and recreation etc."
Mr Callelly also promised the new €34.4 billion transport system unveiled yesterday would be fully accessible to disabled people.