Posted March 29, 2021
People with permanent disabilities will no longer need to be reassessed by doctors every few years to renew their permit, instead they can qualify for one for life. Disability advocates have welcomed the changes but said more still needs to be done around enforcement and public awareness. “Even when you have a permit it’s hard to get a space and that seems to be consistent across most areas, there just aren’t enough spaces,” said Disability Resources Centre Advocate Kim Collinson.
Posted February 5, 2021
Victoria’s taxi industry has voiced fears its business will be further eroded now that people with a disability will be allowed to use a taxi subsidy on Uber.
Posted January 25, 2021
Victorians with disability and accessibility needs now have more subsidised transport options, with rideshare service Uber being approved to offer subsidised trips through the Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP). The MPTP subsidy covers 50 per cent of the cost of eligible participants’ trips, up to $60. The subsidy is automatically applied to the upfront price shown to the MPTP member before they request a trip through the Uber app.
Posted December 3, 2020
A pilot of the new Accessible Parking Permit (APP) Scheme and online administration system is underway. They replace the previous Victorian Code for the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme and individual council administration systems. From Monday 30th November, residents and organisations located in limited Council areas who require a new permit or need to renew or replace their current permit will apply online through the new system. It is anticipated that the remaining Victorian councils will transition to the new Scheme and APP Online Service in 2021.
Posted October 19, 2020
Melbourne’s tram network is a crucial public transport mode, with 205 million trips taken each year. In Victoria, 17 per cent of the population lives with some form of disability. A person with a mobility restriction cannot have, in any practical sense, an accessible tram journey without both a level-access stop and a low-floor tram. This report finds that tram services are not meeting the accessibility needs of passengers with mobility restrictions. In 2018–19, only 15 per cent of tram services delivered a low-floor tram at a level-access stop.
Posted October 9, 2020
Transport is possibly the most frustrating element of NDIS service delivery. It’s boggled our minds and frustrated us for years. It’s a complex cocktail of links to old service systems, mainstream interfaces, unclear information and out-of-date workarounds. And it only accounts for 3.7% of all NDIS spend – what a lot of stress for 3.7%!
Posted July 24, 2020
People have been getting by, but now the loss of the town’s only local taxi service has compounded worries, leaving disabled and elderly residents struggling to get to appointments in major centres like Colac and Geelong.
Posted May 25, 2020
The move towards driverless cars isn’t just a chance for people to relax at the wheel. It’s an opportunity to revolutionise personal transport in a way that offers life-changing benefits to people with disabilities.
Posted October 22, 2019
Melbourne is the only Australian capital city where it is legal for motorcyclists to park on footpaths as long as they do not obstruct access. But as the city becomes more congested, obstacles on footpaths including motorcycles, bikes, A-frame signs and cafe tables, are making pedestrian crowding worse and life very difficult for people with disabilities. On Tuesday, the council will install “no stopping” signs along footpaths next to more than 50 disability parking bays in the CBD. The fine is $165.
Posted October 22, 2019
A spokesperson for the NDIA said while the NDIS provides some assistance, the states and territories are responsible for making transport accessible.
Posted October 4, 2019
But in Melbourne every day is a logistical challenge. Ms Christie and her friends with disabilities joke they should be detectives because they are so adept at scoping out joints and accessing information.
Posted September 23, 2019
This is the first report from the commercial passenger industry regulator which highlights how this industry is integral for people with a disability or mobility impairment. While most users of these services, and the drivers, have a positive experience, it also demonstrates that there is still more work to be done.
Posted May 27, 2019
Deafblind woman booked Jetstar flight from Perth, telling airline she had special needs. As she tried to board Jetstar told her she could not fly alone. Jetstar said an administrative error meant only one of her disabilities had been recorded.
Posted September 24, 2018
The inquiry has determined that there is considerable agreement around the need to develop less complex, nationally consistent rules and regulations relating to the use of motorised mobility devices. Based on evidence provided to the committee during its inquiry, the committee suggests that there is a high level of agreement amongst stakeholders in relation to…
Posted May 11, 2018
Unfair and inconsistent transport funding under the National Disability Insurance Scheme is causing chaos for participants, a community transport peak body has warned.
