Minutes of Main Committee Meeting:
12 June 2001 (M/M2/01)
Chair:
Jane Wilmot
DPTAC
Members:
Jean Ashcroft
Peter Barker
Ed Bassford
Peter Field
Joe Hennessy
Tony Kennan
Janet Kirk
Valerie Lang
Peter Lee
Jenny Meadows
Carol Thomas
Richard West
Observers:
Peta Wright - Chair of DPTAC Aviation Working Group
Paula Morgan - Department of Work and Pensions
Alan Preston - Department of Regional Development Northern Ireland
Keith Walsh - Department of Regional Development Northern Ireland
John Stirling - Scottish Executive
Ann Frye - Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions
(DTLR) Mobility and Inclusion Unit (MIU)
Sue Sharp - DTLR Mobility and Inclusion Unit
In
Attendance:
Philip Oxley - Transport consultant
Frank Caddy - Chair, Transport Advisory Committee Northern Ireland
Michael Lorrimer - Transport Advisor, Transport Advisory Committee Northern
Ireland
John Nicholls - DPTAC Secretary
Tim Pope - DPTAC Secretariat
Sandra Duncan - DPTAC Secretariat
Ffion Grant - DPTAC Secretariat
Harriette Samuels - DPTAC Secretariat
Julie Whittaker - Palantypist for Jane Wilmot
Ben Philips - Interpreter for Richard West
Mark Cooke - Interpreter for Richard West
Fire
evacuation procedures
1.
The Secretariat explained the procedures for the fire evacuation exercise
which would take place during the meeting.
Agenda
item 1: Welcome, introductions and apologies of absence
2.
Jane Wilmot welcomed DPTAC members, observers and guest speakers to the
meeting. Attending for the first time was Alan Preston (replacing Ian
Hume from the Department of Regional Development, Northern Ireland (DRD
N Ireland), Paula Morgan (Department of Work and Pensions) (replacing
Andrew Walker).
3.
Apologies had been received from Jean Dunlop, Paul Everall, Sir Peter
Large, Grahame Lawson, Bert Massie, Damian Sharp (John Stirling attended
in his place), Cath Simpson, Dorothy Rhodes and Nick Tyler.
Agenda
item 2: Minutes of the last meeting (13 March 2001)
4.
The minutes of the meeting were agreed without amendment.
Agenda
item 3: Matters arising (paper 01/M2/01)
DPTAC
website
5.
Tim Pope reported that the website was now `live' and located at http://www.dptac.gov.uk.
Members were invited to comment on the accessibility, layout and content
of the site. The website would be formally launched in July, probably
in conjunction with the publication of DPTAC's Annual Report for 2000.
A summary of the Working Group Chairs decision on Website Editorial Policy
would be circulated with the minutes.
List
of disability organisations
6.
John Nicholls confirmed that the Chair and Secretariat would develop a
strategy for working with disability organisations.
DPTAC
principles
7.
A draft statement of DPTAC principles was circulated in advance of the
meeting (Annex C to paper 01 / M2 / 01). Members were invited to send
further comments to the Secretariat prior to publication on the website.
DPTAC will be guided by these principles when providing advice to Government
and other bodies.
AP1:
a) Secretariat to circulate (with Main Committee (MC) minutes) a summary
of the on website editorial policy for managing the DPTAC website
b)
Members to comment on the accessibility, layout and content of the
DPTAC website
c)
Secretariat to arrange publicising website
d)
Chair and secretariat to develop strategy for working with disability
organisations
General
Election
8.
Ann Frye announced that following the General Election new Ministers had
been appointed to the new Department for Transport, Local Government and
the Regions (DTLR). A written summary of Departmental and Ministerial
responsibilities would be circulated with the Minutes. Jane Wilmot would
write to incoming Ministers congratulating them on their appointments
and seek meetings with Ministers.
AP2:
a) Jane Wilmot to write letters of congratulation to the new departmental
Ministers
b)
Mobility and Inclusion Unit to provide a written summary of DTLR Ministers
and organisational changes, for circulation with the minutes
Agenda
item 4: Mobility and Inclusion Unit (MIU) - Presentation by Ann Frye
9.
The meeting had before it paper 03/M2/01 setting out the Mobility and
Inclusion Unit research framework for 2002/3.
MIU
Research programme 2001/2002
10.
Ann Frye gave details of MIU's current research budget, the current research
programme. The work fell under 3 main headings:
- Technical
and policy issues on accessible public transport and the pedestrian
environment
- Technical
and policy issues on personal mobility of disabled and older people
- Social
inclusion and personal security issues in transport
MIU
research proposals for 2002/2003
11.
Ann Frye said that the broad themes for MIU research relating to disability
issues included:
- Monitoring
the implications of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) regulations
as more DDA compliant vehicles come on stream. In particular assessing
whether any changes to regulations are needed.
- Continuing
the research to develop a methodology for evaluating access improvements
which benefit disabled people at local level. Results to feed into Local
Transport Plan Guidance.
- Research
to fill knowledge gaps in new areas for disability legislation covered
by DRTF recommendations.
- Evaluating
Accessibility of transport in rural areas/ community transport and impact
of hospital closures on health-related journeys, i.e. distances travelled
for hospital and doctor's appointments.
- Congestion
charging- advising on scheme control/exemptions for disabled people
and monitoring of congestion charging exemption options.
- Car
dependency - there is a recognition that disabled people need exemption
from congestion charging and other schemes because of high levels of
car dependence but there is an issue about whether, as more public transport
becomes accessible, all those who are currently car dependent will continue
to be so and therefore whether the exemption should be reviewed on a
regular basis over the coming years.
- The
Social Exclusion Unit transport project was likely to include a review
of affordability which would look in broad terms at targeting of concessionary
fares.
- Personal
Mobility - MOT testing of adapted vehicles and driver fatigue.
12.
DPTAC Members were asked to comment on the broad themes or to identify
specific projects that the MIU could consider for the 2002/2003 research
programme. Firm proposals for research funding for next year would be
put forward by October 2001.
13.
Members initial comments on possible issues for MIU research next financial
year included:
- Strategy
for airport infrastructure planning to be included in Local Transport
Plans (LTPs)
- Safety
of disabled persons' vehicles and vehicle occupants especially in relation
to physical effects of traffic calming methods i.e. speed humps, tables
and cushions
- Car
dependency v public transport
- Route
planning for footway construction to ensure consistency of dropped kerbs
- Wayfinding
techniques for people with learning disabilities
- Reasons
why some disabled people are reluctant to shift from private to public
transport
14.
In response to a question MIU and the Secretariat agreed to circulate
a summary of the overall DTLR research programme relevant to DPTAC's remit.
DPTAC
Research programme 2002/2003
15.
Jane Wilmot confirmed that there would be an opportunity to discuss DPTAC's
research programme at the next meeting. It was agreed that Members would
send the Secretariat suggestions for DPTAC research projects for 2002/3.
The Secretariat would provide a note with the minutes on how to differentiate
between suggestions for MIU research and DPTAC research.
AP3:
a) MIU and Secretariat to circulate a summary of the DTLR research
programme
b)
members to send the Secretariat suggestions for DPTAC and DTLR research
projects for 2002/3
Agenda
item 5: "Inclusive Mobility" - presentation by Phillip Oxley, transport
consultant
16.
The meeting had before it paper 03/M2/01 by Phillip Oxley on "Inclusive
Mobility: A Guide to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian and Transport
Infrastructure"(Inclusive Mobility). Philip presented the paper
explaining that, the (then) DETR had commissioned a comprehensive review
of good practice in accessible design in the transport and pedestrian
environments. Inclusive Mobility is a consolidation of various
guidance and best practice currently in use.
17.
Philip Oxley stressed that although Inclusive Mobility was a guide
to best practice and had no regulatory status the DTLR hoped that it would
be widely used by local authorities, service providers as well as professionals
in transport and the built environment.
18.
Members suggested that Inclusive Mobility should:
- Be
referred to in Guidance on Local Transport Plans and that local authorities
should identify within those plans where Inclusive Mobility has
been adopted.
19.
Philip Oxley explained that Inclusive Mobility was expected to
be published in the summer and would be made available in alternative
formats, the website and in hard copy (free of charge). In response to
a question MIU and the Secretariat agreed to consider how best to make
Inclusive Mobility available to people with learning disabilities.
20.
Jane Wilmot congratulated Philip Oxley and the DTLR for producing such
an important document as Inclusive Mobility.
21.
During Philip Oxley's presentation members took part in a fire evacuation
exercise in order to test the building evacuation procedures for disabled
visitors and staff.
AP4:
MIU and Secretariat to consider how best to make the document accessible
to people with learning disabilities
MIU
to ensure that Inclusive Mobility was referred to in Guidance to
Local Transport Plans
Agenda
item 6: The Northern Ireland Transport Advisory Committee- Presentation
by Michael Lorimer, TAC Transport Adviser
22.
The meeting had before it paper 04/M2/01- guidance notes on the presentation
by Michael Lorimer, Transport Adviser to the Northern Ireland Transport
Advisory Committee (TAC).
23.
Michael Lorimer explained that the Northern Ireland TAC was originally
created in 1991 but had been reconstituted in 1999. It had some similarities
to DPTAC which it viewed as a benchmark. The committee was funded by the
Department for Regional Development (DRD) to advise government on matters
relating to disabled people and transport. TAC worked towards an integrated
transport system accessible to all. N.I. TAC was made up of disabled people,
transport users and providers together with representative organisations.
24.
Unlike DPTAC, N.I. TAC was not a statutory body - there was no obligation
for the D.R.D to consult with the Committee.
25.
Jane Wilmot asked if Northern Ireland had an equivalent organisation to
the Disability Rights Commission in Great Britain. Mr Walsh confirmed
that the remit of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland covered
equality and gender issues.
26.
Members expressed the need to maintain consistency of advice and common
technical standards for disability issues between Great Britain and Northern
Ireland. Mr Walsh explained that Northern Ireland generally followed current
regulations and good practise guides but there was no political obligation
to do so. DPTAC members also suggested that TAC might benefit from having
a representative with a learning disability on their committee: TAC agreed
to consider this.
27.
Jane Wilmot thanked the representatives from Northern Ireland for the
presentation and attendance at the meeting.
Agenda
item 7: Disability Discrimination Act 1995
28.
The meeting had before it paper 05/M2/01, the contents of which were noted.
Agenda
item 8: Working/Task Group Reports
29.
The meeting had before it the Working Group summaries paper 06/M2/01.
Matters arising from the paper were:
Aviation
Food
packaging
30.
Peta Wright (Chair Aviation Working Group) introduced paper 07/M2/01 -
"Access to food packaging when travelling by air". Members were asked
to comment (recognising that the issue cut across all working groups)
and to find a way forward for DPTAC in considering developing guidance
on access to food packaging when travelling on any mode of transport.
31.
Members agreed to adopt option (a): "Use `a world wide cry for help' as
the basis of an article and general guidance to help raise awareness of
the basic problem among the in-flight catering industry". In addition
the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department
of Trade and Industry should be encouraged to develop guidance and standards
on easy to use food packaging for the transport industry.
Gatwick
handling contract
32.
Peta Wright reported that BAA Gatwick had been asked to review the way
in which special assistance for passengers with reduced mobility was organised
and funded at the airport and set up a trial under contract with airline
operators. An insufficient number of airlines had agreed to participate
in the scheme which had therefore not been viable.
33.
The Mobility and Inclusion Unit (MIU) agreed to report back on European
initiatives on solving the problems of charging for assistance at airports.
UK
Code of Practice: Access to air travel for disabled people
34.
Peta Wright confirmed that DPTAC's guidance for disabled flyers would
be issued at the same time as the "UK Code of Practice: Access to air
travel for disabled people" was issued to the aviation industry. The Secretariat
would circulate with the minutes a copy of the draft DPTAC guidance for
disabled flyers for comment.
AP5:
a) Secretariat to take forward option (a) of food packaging paper
b)
MIU to report back on European initiatives on charging for assistance
at airports
c)
Secretariat to circulate draft DPTAC guidance for disabled flyers with
the Minutes
Taxis
35.
Jean Ashcroft (Chair Taxi Working Group) expressed concern at continuing
delay with consultation on DDA Taxi Regulations. Ann Frye said that the
policy line had to be cleared with new DTLR Ministers and then across
Whitehall. At that stage draft regulations would be drawn up for public
consultation.
36.
Members discussed the problems local authorities had in identifying accessible
vehicles for licence without the guidance of the Disability Discrimination
Act Taxi Regulations. It was suggested that the Taxi Working Group should
produce Guidance for local authorities on licensing policy in advance
of the DDA Taxi Regulations.
AP6:
Taxi Working Group to produce Guidance for local authorities on licensing
policy in advance of DDA Taxi regulations
Agenda
item 8: Any other business
Appointments
to DPTAC 2002
37.
Sue Sharp reported that Members should have received a letter requesting
them to indicate whether they wanted to be considered for a further 3
year term of office as a member of DPTAC. Members who had not responded
were asked to contact Sue as soon as possible.
38.
Sue Sharp explained that the advertising process for appointments had
been delayed because of the General Election. Advertisements would shortly
be placed in disability journals and other publications, the DTLR and
DPTAC websites, talking newspapers etc.
Change
of date for December Main meeting
39.
Because of a diary conflict with the Community Transport Association Conference,
the date for the December Main meeting has been changed to 4 December
2001. The meeting would be held in Great Minster House followed by
a dinner at the Tara Hotel, Kensington. The Secretariat would confirm
arrangements.
AP7:
Secretariat to confirm arrangements for Main Committee meeting on 4
December
DPTAC
Regional Seminar - Manchester
40.
The pilot regional seminar would be arranged at the GMEX centre in Manchester
on 10 December 2001. Members were requested to contact the Secretariat
to express their interest in participating in the event. A note outlining
arrangements would be circulated with the minutes.
AP8:
Secretariat to circulate note outlining arrangements for the pilot
regional seminar with the minutes
Date
of next Main Committee meeting; 11 September 2001
Papers:
M1/M2/01 Action Points (page 12)
M2/M2/01 Summary of DPTAC website editorial policy (page 15)
M3/M2/01 Summary of DTLR Ministers and organisational changes (page
21)
M4/M2/01 Guidance on submitting suggestions for research projects
(page 24)
M5/M2/01 Guidance for disabled flyers (page 26)
M6/M2/01 Outline arrangements for the pilot regional seminar in
Manchester (page 48)
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