Australia’s public transportation standards are poised for their inaugural significant overhaul in two decades, aimed at enhancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities. In this podcast, let’s delve into the perspectives of disability advocates regarding these proposed modifications.
Access to public transport is critical for people to work or study, visit family and friends, and access critical services such as healthcare. This is why the Australian Government has decided to reform the Transport Standards. The reforms aim to improve public transport accessibility and remove discrimination against people with disability. The reforms were developed … Continued
Safe Transport Victoria have launched their ‘You Make The Difference’ program, they’ve partnered with Vision Australia to create a three-part series to debunk common myths about assistance animals. Assistance animals are welcome everywhere, including Commercial passenger Vehicles (CPVs), but unfortunately, some drivers still refuse service.
Australia’s former disability discrimination commissioner, Graeme Innes, has settled his dispute with Adelaide Airport. His complaint to the Human Rights Commission was lodged after being denied access to a body scanner with his assistance dog in May 2022. Unfortunately, Innes’ experience will resonate widely with Australia’s 4.4 million people with disability.
PDA recently wrote a Position Statement on the Treatment of Passengers with Physical Disabilities on Airlines & in Australian Airports which will be included as a submission to the Aviation White Paper.
Closing date: November 19, 2023
Would you like public transports in Victoria to be fully accessible for everyone, including people with a disability, parents with prams, elderly people and anyone with temporary and permanent mobility restrictions? Let’s start with Sydney Rd where between Brunswick Road and Bakers Road, Coburg North – a 5.5km stretch, we have no accessible tram stops.
Closing date: October 31, 2023
Victorian Government are seeking feedback on the Transport Accessibility Strategy. You are invited you to complete a survey, markup changes on the draft strategy or upload a submission by the new date of 31 October 2023.
Discovering mobility aids have been damaged or broken during air travel is not new to anyone with a disability — but even disability advocate Akii Ngo was shocked by the state of their electric wheelchair after a Qantas flight last month.
Closing date: September 19, 2023
On 7 September 2023, the Australian Government released the Aviation Green Paper. The Green Paper provides the principles, initiatives and policy settings the government is considering to shape Australia’s aviation future. The Green Paper marks an important stage in developing the Aviation White Paper, which will set the policy direction for the aviation sector out … Continued
Disability advocate says there is ‘no political will’ to make accessibility upgrades as Brunswick residents plan rally.
More than 200 people have gathered in Melbourne’s inner north, calling on the State Government to create more accessible public transport. The group says when level crossings are removed in Brunswick for the skyrail project, they’ll be left with no accessible transport options for 18 months.
Not a single stop on Melbourne’s tram network has been made more accessible in the past 12 months and only four were delivered over the past three years, as work grinds to a halt on upgrades to meet the needs of people with disabilities or limited mobility.
Closing date: November 10, 2023
When the Upfield train line is closed to remove the Brunswick level crossings and build Skyrail, there will be NO accessible public transport along the Upfield corridor for the duration of the project. There are no accessible tram stops on Sydney Road between Brunswick Road and Bakers Road, Coburg North – a 5.5km stretch.
Victorians with disabilities have started a petition to the Legislative Assembly to request that the Victorian Government install fully accessible tram stops on Sydney Road before the Upfield train line is closed for the level crossing removals. Get involved by joining the list of organisations and individuals endorsing the campaign or sign the petition.
People with disabilities arguably stand to gain the most from good public transport, but are continually excluded by transport systems that still aren’t adapted to their needs as the law requires.
Brisbane resident Chris Noble agrees electric vehicles present many opportunities with inclusive designs and modifications but he’s frustrated at charging bays that lack accessibility.