|
||
| About DPTAC | Publications | Site Map | Links | Home
|
Annual Report 2002ContentsForeword by the Secretary of State for Transport A The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
F More information and feedback ForewordTransport makes a big difference to all our lives, but for disabled people in particular the way in which transport is provided can be very important, making a major difference to their ability to live full and independent lives. This is why it is so important that everybody involved in planning and providing of transport recognises and provides for their needs. Disabled people should have the same opportunities to travel as anyone else. The advice that the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee gives the Government and transport providers is invaluable, helping us to understand disabled people's needs and to make sure that they are met. This annual report shows the impressive range of the Disabled Person's Transport Advisory Committee's contribution, covering its statutory responsibilities and its broader role of giving advice to central and local government as well as transport providers. The Committee's approach is thorough, and I would like to thank them for their excellent work. Alistair Darling MP Chair's introductionTransport is the main concern of disabled people. This was confirmed by the first survey on the attitudes of disabled people that we asked MORI (Market and Opinion Research International) to carry out. The survey revealed that 60% of disabled people thought that people responsible for public transport and facilities for pedestrians paid too little attention to their needs. A practical example arose when most train-operating companies failed to properly deal with the needs of disabled people in their Disabled Persons Protection Policies (DPPPs) during 2002. We will work with the Strategic Rail Authority in 2003 to help rail companies meet their responsibilities at a time when funding is tight. The Department for Transport's assessment of the first round of local transport plans (LTPs) also found that there were a lot of differences in the way disability was handled. The Government has repeated its commitment that public funding for transport will depend on providing access for disabled people in Delivering Better Transport: Progress Report. The main messages which we continue to emphasise to service providers are to:
There is much information available that should make it easier for service providers to meet the needs of disabled people. This year we published an Access Directory on existing guidance, legislation and standards on access for disabled people and a Charter on Training and Education in Accessibility to provide information and awareness of what is needed. We were very pleased to be able to work closely with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on the Review of Building Regulations Part M and the Planning and Access Good Practice Guide due in 2003. We were disappointed that the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill did not include a statement to make sure that the planning process delivered access for disabled people. We hope we can agree a way forward during 2003. We welcomed the consultation on lifting the transport exemption from Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA). We look forward to further consultation on rail issues. If these proposals become law, there will no longer be any confusion on whether every part of the journey is covered by the DDA. We have also, through my membership of the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT), worked to make sure that funding for buses is more focused on meeting the needs of passengers (including disabled and older people) who rely on buses and community transport to get to local services in both rural and urban areas. None of our work would be possible without the dedication of our members and lead members, and the help of the Secretariat. We appreciated the support from colleagues in the Department for Transport, the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly, the Northern Ireland Executive, the Greater London Authority, as well as the transport and the built-environment industries. Next year we plan to develop benchmarks (standards) for measuring and monitoring accessibility for disabled people. We will also work with the Government on the review of the 10-Year Plan 2004 to help achieve their aim of transport making a positive difference to everyone's life (including older and disabled people). Jane Wilmot A The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC)Background1. We are an independent organisation that advises the Government on the transport needs of disabled people. We provide expert advice and carry out independent research on disabled people and transport, to promote a more 'inclusive' society (where more people are able to take part). 2. Since summer 2000, we have also been responsible for advising the Government on the needs of disabled people in the built environment (buildings and the spaces between them), as recommended by the Disability Rights Task Force (DRTF). 3. We were set up under the 1985 Transport Act and held our first meeting in 1986. Jane Wilmot was re-appointed as our Chair in January 2002, together with 20 members chosen to bring expertise on a broad range of issues and a critical overview of transport policy. A new membership4. In January, 10 new members joined us, for a period of three years, and 10 existing members were re-appointed for 18 months. How we appoint members is in line with current good practice. There is a list of all the members and observers at the end of this report. 5. At the end of 2002 the Department for Transport (DfT) invited applications for new members, to take effect from July 2003. 6. We organised comprehensive briefing sessions for members on the main issues relevant to disabled people and on our work, and to take stock of progress on different types of transport. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many organisations and individuals who contributed to the sessions. 7. During the year, four of our members resigned due to other pressures, and we would like to thank all of them for their contributions. 8. Glynn Vernon died suddenly in December. He was a new appointment but was already making a valuable contribution to the committee. His expertise will be greatly missed by everyone. 9. Our main committee met six times during the year and considered strategic issues and the work of the task groups. 10. This year we moved away from working groups in most areas and are aiming to work on more specific outcomes through task groups. We appointed lead members to co-ordinate our work on specific issues and to work with important stakeholders. We will develop this further during 2003, particularly maintaining contact with our stakeholders through our 'knowledge pools and forums'. 11. We advise the Government, among other things, on:
Our aims12. We aim to make sure that disabled people can go where everyone else goes, easily and without extra cost. Our role is to provide independent advice to the Government, both where invited by ministers and where we think it is important. The broad range of interests we represent can help to achieve agreement on what advice to give. 13. However, we are able to take a longer-term view than that normally available to the Government. Our customer focus reflects the fact that we are made up of mainly real users of transport and the built environment who have day-to-day difficulties getting around. 14. We also make efforts to reach out to a wider audience to make sure that the transport debate includes the concerns of everyone who needs to travel. Our strategy15. Our overall strategy is to lead the ongoing policy debate and to influence government policy decisions. This will help us to make sure that they contribute to the delivery of a transport system and built environment that is accessible to everyone. 16. You can see our strategy for 2002-2004 on our website (www.dptac.gov.uk). Each year, we develop a detailed work programme in consultation with our stakeholders, and our plans for 2003 are set out in section E. B Achievements in 2002A review of the Disabled Person's Parking Scheme (Blue Badge Scheme)17. At the end of 2001, the Secretary of State (on behalf of the Department for Transport, Scottish Executive, National Assembly for Wales and Northern Ireland Office) invited us to co-ordinate responses to the consultation on the review of the Blue Badge Scheme and make recommendations for change. 18. We reported to the Secretary of State in April 2002 with 47 recommendations, based on over 300 responses from disabled people, their organisations, local authorities and enforcement organisations. Our main recommendations were as follows.
19. We were pleased that the Government accepted most of our recommendations in December. We will work with the Government in 2003 to make sure that the scheme continues to provide essential benefits to disabled people who depend on being able to park close to their destination. 20. We were also delighted that the Government said they would continue to support the 'Baywatch' campaign. This encourages people who are not disabled to avoid using disabled people's parking bays in supermarket car parks (which are not covered by the Disabled Person's Parking Scheme). 21. We pressed for all disabled people holding a Blue Badge not to be included in the congestion charging scheme (CCS) in London. 22. We were pleased when the Mayor of London accepted our advice and agreed to amend the CCS. Blue Badge holders who register for £10 are not then charged for going into central London. 23. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 introduced the power to inspect badges. During 2002, the Scottish Executive set up a working party to produce advice to Blue Badge holders and to enforcing authorities on using powers to inspect badges. We were actively involved in this working party. Access Directory24. Readily available information on existing guidance, legislation and requirements on access for disabled people is essential for transport and built-environment professionals if they are to create and maintain environments that are accessible to everyone. Working with the University of Reading, we published an Access Directory (formerly called the knowledge map) in July 2002. 25. The Access Directory lists published sources of guidance, legislation and requirements on access for disabled people to transport and the built environment in a central database. We measure the sources of guidance against recognised standards. You can get access to it by visiting our website (www.dptac.gov.uk). 26. You can browse through the directory if you are interested in access issues. Professionals should use this directory to identify sources of advice on meeting the needs of disabled people. 27. We intend to continue to develop this project and welcome feedback on how we can make it more effective. Better skills and knowledge28. We believe there is an urgent need to increase the skills of new and existing professionals on access issues to make sure they are able to deliver environments that everyone can use. 29. This will help the Government deliver their commitment that public funding for transport will depend on providing access for disabled people. It will also help tackle social exclusion (where people or areas suffer from a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high-crime environments, bad health and family breakdown). 30. In July, we published a charter on training and education in accessibility, based on the European 'Tomar' Resolution. It provides a framework setting out why and how access should be included in the training of built-environment and transport professionals. You can see the charter at www.dptac.gov.uk/charter.htm 31. We are planning a new student award for the undergraduate who is most likely to contribute to developing an environment that is accessible to everyone. We hope to launch this award during the 2003/2004 academic year under the title 'Future Inclusive'. 32. We also considered different transport 'skills' initiatives and are developing links with them. We need to influence education and training policy to make sure that all professionals understand how to include access for disabled people in their work. 33. We will apply for more funding to identify the number of people needed to advise on access issues and the skills and competencies they need, and to develop a strategy for delivering those skills. MORI 'Attitudes of Disabled People to Public Transport'34. We published a MORI survey on the attitudes of disabled people to public transport, which supported earlier work by the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT) on the attitudes of the general public. The survey showed that:
35. The study was published in May 2002 and is available at www.dptac.gov.uk/research/apt/index.htm 36. We carried out a follow-up survey on community transport at the end of the year and will publish it in early 2003. 37. This was the first time we asked for an attitude survey and we learned valuable lessons. We hope to repeat this work to assess the effect of improvements to transport on the attitudes of disabled people. Announce project38. In 1999 we advised the Government that buses should have audible and visual information systems so people with hearing and visual impairments could have access to information when travelling. 39. The Government supported a trial of audible and visual announcements on Arriva buses in Yorkshire. The results showed that audible and visual information in buses benefited all passengers. 40. We are delighted that this trial was a success. It is an example of how new systems for disabled people often benefit other people and can be commercially realistic. The Announce project won two Bus Industry Awards in November, for Innovation and Accessibility. Other partners included in the trial included Arrive Yorkshire, Metro, Hanover and Wayfarer Transit Systems. 41. You can find more information about the Announce project on the Department for Transport website at: www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/buses/pubs/research/as/. 42. We will encourage the Government and transport operators to identify how such systems can become commonplace on buses as soon as possible. Access to rail services43. The year started well with the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) publishing its Strategic Plan and revised Code of Practice: Train and Station Services for Disabled Passengers. 44. We welcomed the plan's strong message to the rail industry that 'building in access for disabled people in all new investment is a condition of public money being spent'. The code set out clearly the expectations on all train and station operators to provide facilities and services that disabled people can easily use. 45. We also welcomed the commitment set out by the SRA Chairman, Richard Bowker, in expecting each train-operator licence holder to follow the code and to oversee how the code is put into practice. We believe it is essential that the SRA gives strong leadership to the industry to adopt the requirements of the code (enforced through licences where necessary) if it is to have the necessary effect. 46. We were also pleased when the Secretary of State amended the Directions and Guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority to make sure it works closely with us and is guided by our advice on all issues relating to disabled passengers using the rail network. 47. However, during the year it became obvious that the rail industry was still reluctant to tackle access for disabled people. We were extremely disappointed with the quality and content of the draft Disabled Persons Protection Policies (DPPPs) and frustrated by the lack of co-operation from operators in providing drafts to us (a problem shared by the SRA and the Rail Passenger Council). The entire review process was more difficult for everyone involved and it is not acceptable. 48. The draft DPPPs should have been revised in line with the SRA code and further guidance from the SRA. With a few exceptions these were extremely poor, focusing on calls for extra funding before meeting the obligations in the code rather than acknowledging what could be achieved by changes to procedures and practices. This was a direct result of some operating companies refusing to adopt the guidelines given by the SRA. As a committee we try to involve all stakeholders and provide useful advice, but these circumstances made it almost impossible for us to produce quality comments. 49. We expect the industry to show a more positive approach during 2003. You can see our report on the draft DPPPs at www.dptac.gov.uk 50. Although the rail industry is experiencing difficulties, access for disabled people must be included in all activities if the good intentions stated at the beginning of 2002 are to be achieved. We will be working closely with the SRA and the industry to make sure this happens. Working with others51. We have developed effective working relationships with the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) and go to each other's meetings. 52. We have worked closely with MACS. We have discussed issues where we can effectively work together in producing consistent advice. 53. We also made a presentation at the Encounter Conference on Transport and Society attended by representatives from England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 54. Next year we and MACS will host a joint meeting of similar European organisations to share experiences and best practice. This will be our main contribution to the European Year of Disabled People 2003. 55. We have also continued to develop good relations with the Northern Ireland Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) and with colleagues in Wales. 56. We made a presentation at a conference in the Netherlands on Accessibility for people with reduced mobility and set up links with organisations like our own in Europe, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands. 57. We were also involved in the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment working group which oversaw the production of a report on how to achieve clean, safe and attractive streets, called Paving the way. Responding to consultations58. Our main strength is the expertise of our members. A major activity for members is responding to consultations from across the Government and the administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 59. In 2002 we responded to over 40 consultations highlighting the need to include the needs of disabled people more fully in transport and built-environment policy and practice. 60. Next year we plan to develop guidance on the main issues on access for disabled people that we expect to see tackled in every consultation on transport and built-environment policy as a matter of course. The guidance will include the need to make sure that disabled people can get access to the consultation in other formats and have the opportunity to respond. C Advising on specific topicsDepartment for Transport Code of Practice on Access to Air Travel61. We continued to advise the Department for Transport (DfT) on its voluntary Code of Practice, Access to Air Travel for Disabled People, which will be published in early 2003. This code is for travel agents, tour operators, UK scheduled and charter airlines and airports (including their designers), ground-handling companies and retailers. 62. We will also publish a companion guide for disabled people travelling by air, which will be available at www.dptac.gov.uk 63. The Government has agreed to legislate so the code can become law if the voluntary code is not effective. Planning for access64. During 2002, we worked closely with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), and their consultants, to develop good-practice guidance on the planning system and access for disabled people. The guide will be published in early 2003. 65. The good-practice guide focuses on how the existing planning system can deliver access for disabled people more effectively. We see this as the start of a process where planning plays a much greater role in securing access for disabled people to the built environment. 66. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill was published in December. We were disappointed that the bill did not promote changes to the planning system to reinforce the principle that planning can secure access for disabled people. 67. While the bill is going through Parliament we will be working to make sure that;
68. We also expect greater pressure on developers to set out how their proposals will contribute to an environment that includes everyone's needs. Building regulations69. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister launched a consultation on the review of Building Regulations Part M and its Approved Document in August 2002. 70. By being a member of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee Part M Working Group, we will be involved in reviewing responses that help shape the final document. 71. We welcomed proposals to extend the requirements to existing buildings and to demand access statements that set out the approach for including access for disabled people. However, we believe that access statements represent good practice for all development work, not just those that do not follow the guidance in the Approved Document. 72. We also believe there is a need to broaden the understanding of access for disabled people by all development professionals and not just rely on building regulations alone to deliver environments that include everyone. Rail exemptions73. The Secretary of State must consult us on applications for exemption from the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR). During 2002, our Rail Exemptions Subcommittee met six times and considered applications by post on three occasions. As a result, we advised the Secretary of State on 30 exemption applications from nine train operators. 74 We are disappointed that train operators continue to send us applications at the last minute and continue to apply for extensions to existing exemptions rather than making sure they follow the regulations within the exemption period. 75 The Department for Transport published guidance in 2002 on the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR) setting out:
Home Zones76. We are involved with the DfT Home Zone Working Group. Home Zones encourage greater priority to children, pedestrians and cyclists by changing the way streets in the zone are used by introducing speed limits and changes to the design of the street. 77. During the year we commented extensively on guidance produced by the Institute of Highways Incorporated Engineers (IHIE) to try to improve the advice on access for disabled people. 78. We are not convinced that the needs of disabled people in Home Zones are properly understood and will recommend research that will lead to effective guidance. Taxi access79. The Government has not been able to identify a way to introduce taxi access regulations without harming taxi services in rural areas and smaller towns. We continue to press the Government on the need to introduce regulations for accessible taxis while acknowledging the practical difficulties this causes for the taxi industry. 80. We acknowledge that a reduction in taxi services would not benefit anyone, including disabled people. However, we have pressed for the delay in the introduction of taxi regulations to be used to improve the eventual standards. D Work in progressDelivering Better Transport - Progress Report on the 10-Year Plan81. The Department for Transport published its progress report on the 10-Year Plan at the end of 2002. It restated the commitment on access for disabled people and highlighted the need to develop effective systems to monitor progress. 82. We will be working with the DfT to develop indicators and consider how the review of the plan should make sure that access for disabled people becomes a basic principle and the responsibility of all delivery agencies, not just local authorities. 83. The Social Exclusion Unit of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) consulted us on their transport and social exclusion research, and the final report will be published early in 2003. We look forward to working with the DfT to make sure that recommendations are put into practice effectively. 84. We also welcome the consultation on the Disability Rights Task Force's (DRTF) recommendations on lifting the transport exemption from Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. We look forward to the consultation in 2003 on an end date for rail vehicles to follow the RVAR requirements and possible future regulations when refurbishing rail vehicles. Increasing the availability of private-hire services to disabled people85. The Disability Rights Task Force recommended that we carry out research on how to improve the availability of private-hire services to disabled people. 86. We asked Transport and Travel Research Ltd to carry out this study, considering the whole process of ordering services, the journey itself and users' needs. 87. We will be consulting widely during the development of the project to make sure that it has the support of the industry and disabled people in improving access to private-hire services. Briefing for better buildings88. We have been concerned for many years that although many briefs already specify access for disabled people, access is delivered to different standards and degrees of success. 89. We asked Drivers Jonas to develop guidance on development briefs for transport and built-environment projects to make sure access is effectively delivered. 90. The research evaluated projects that recently finished, and examined what worked and what did not work in different types of building and in different ways of buying new buildings. 91. The good-practice guidance will be launched in spring 2003. We expect the main outcome to be that clients are better able to make sure they develop environments that everyone can use. Better information on local transport plans92. The DfT consulted us on guidance to local authorities on producing local transport plans and annual progress reports in accessible formats for publication in 2003. E Programme for 200393. Following consultation with the main stakeholders on our draft proposals, we have agreed a programme of 31 tasks for 2003. These are based on our strategy to lead the ongoing policy debate, and to influence the Government's policy decisions to make sure they contribute to the delivery of a transport system and built environment that everyone can use. 94. We must provide advice to the Secretary of State on the transport needs of disabled people. We will continue to advise on relevant consultations, but in 2003 our priority will be to influence the development of consultation documents so that they tackle the needs of disabled people from the start, as well as being available in other formats. 95. We will advise on the current Department for Transport consultation on how to take forward the Disability Rights Task Force's transport recommendations and the extra consultation planned on rail issues. We will work to make sure that if legislation is going to be put in place, the Government is able to take forward these recommendations as soon as possible. 96. If we receive funding, we will start research on how people have adopted our guidance on large passenger ships and the effect this guidance is having on access for disabled people to UK ferries and ports. Changes to planning and building regulations are also set to have a major effect during the year. 97. One of our main messages is the need for changes in legislation, policy and guidance to actually result in improvements in travel for disabled people. We will try to make sure that access improvements are measured and monitored so they are having a positive effect. 98. In the past, much of our work has just reacted to problems. We are increasingly focusing on the need to deal with access for disabled people as standard in the education and skills of those providing transport and built environments. One initiative we will launch during 2003 is a student award for undergraduates, called 'Future Inclusive', which recognises an appreciation of design that takes account of everyone's needs. 99. We will also develop new guidance on access issues for the transport and built-environment industries. These will include advice on involving the community, private-hire services and aircraft facilities. 100. Working with other organisations is central to delivering our aims. We will look at how to improve the opportunities to influence our work and get involved with our main stakeholders. We would also like to thank the valuable contribution already made by our many contacts. 101. This general summary provides an idea of the work we plan to carry out in 2003. We will tackle a range of issues that are important to the access needs of disabled people, but will focus on where we can add value. You can get full details of the 2003 programme from our website and our Secretariat. 102. In the autumn we will develop a work programme for 2004 based on the priorities we have already identified. We welcome contributions at any time on what issues we might tackle in delivering the aim of transport and built environments that everyone can use. F More information and feedback103. For more information about us, you can contact us in the following ways. DPTAC Phone: 020 7944 8011 104. For information about our knowledge pools, please contact our Secretariat. Tell us what you think105. We very much welcome any feedback on our annual report and include a response sheet on the back page that you can tear off and send back. Our membersThis information was correct as at 1 January 2003.
Jane Wilmot OBE (Chair)Jane is deaf and has been a member since 1995. She is a former Trustee and Vice-Chair of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). She is the first woman and the first deaf person to chair our committee. She is a member of the Commission for Integrated Transport, an observer on the Disability Rights Commission, a Trustee and Director of Hammersmith and Fulham Action on Disability, a Trustee and Director of TRIPSCOPE, the Vice-President of the Disability Alliance, and a member of the Engage Network, Royal National Institute for Deaf People and Tourism for all Consortium. Peter Barker OBE (Lead Member, Built Environment)Peter is an engineer who worked in the construction industry for 20 years. He is blind and has been a member since 1992, and is Chair of the Built Environment Group. He is a Professor of Inclusive Environments at the University of Reading and was formerly head of the JMU Access Partnership. Peter is a Trustee and Director of the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR), Seeability and TRIPSCOPE and Chairman of the Joint Committee on Mobility of Blind and Partially Sighted People (JCMBPS). He is a consultant to Living Streets, the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (GDBA) and the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB). Ann Bates (Lead Member, Rail)Ann is a wheelchair user who also has arthritis and became a member in 2002. She is the Lead Member on Rail. She is an employee of the Rail Passengers Committee working closely with train companies and the SRA and a non-executive director of Worthing and Southlands NHS Trust. She also has professional involvement with both the National Association of Teachers and Lecturers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE) and the Trade Union Disability Alliance. Sian BaldwinSian became a member in 2002. She works as Access Consultant at JMU and Policy Analyst for the Disability Rights Commission. She is also a member of the management panel of the National Register of Access Consultants (NRAC). She was formerly the Access Policy Officer for the Built Environment and Transport at RADAR and has worked in the access field for a number of years at both local and national level. Dr Mike BrutonMike is a wheelchair user and became a member in 2002. He is the former Executive Director of the Disabled Drivers Association and is much involved in rambling for disabled people. He is a member of the Council of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, and is active on local access and planning issues. Vidur DindayalVidur is an architect who has worked on access design for over 30 years and became a member in 2002. He was formerly a member of the London Regional Passenger Committee and London Transport Users Committee. Vidur is a part-time lecturer at Westminster Kingsway College and at Barnet College. An assessor of continuing professional development material for the Royal Institute of British Architects, he is a magistrate sitting on the South Eastern (Greenwich and Woolwich) Bench, Honorary Secretary of the Inner London Branch of the Magistrates' Association, and a lay member of the Disability Appeals Tribunal hearing appeals on Disability Living Allowance. He is also a lay Hindu priest. Jean Dunlop (Lead Member, Ports and Ferries)Jean is a wheelchair user and has been a member since 1997, nominated by the Scottish Executive. She is the Lead Member on Ports and Ferries. She is a disability equality trainer and a member of the Mobility and Access Committee Scotland (MACS). She is also the Vice-Chair of the Scottish Accessible Information Forum (SAIF), Chairperson of Facilitating Access Breaking Barriers (FABB) Scotland, and Director of Consultation and Involvement Trust Scotland (CITS). David FinneganDavid is a wheelchair user who has spent 12 years working in the access field with Merseytravel Passenger Transport Executive and became a member in 2002. He has carried out other disability work through the Spinal Injuries Association. He also has an interest in environmental issues. Roy HayterRoy is registered blind and has multiple sclerosis. He became a member at the end of 2002. He was formally Director of Special Projects with Airbus Industries of North America and he also served for 28 years with the Royal Navy. He is a member of the cross party group on visual impairment at the Scottish Executive, Chairman of the Ayrshire Visual Awareness voluntary group, a member of the Access Panel and is also a volunteer with the Witness Service. He is the second Scottish Executive nominee. Janet KirkJanet has a mobility impairment and has been a member since 1999. She is a parish councillor, governor of a local primary school, and works on a voluntary basis for the AMICUS-MSF union, mainly on disability and employment issues. She is also General Secretary of the Labour Party Disabled Members Group. She has been involved in a number of rural transport and health-related committees in her local area. Grahame Lawson (Lead Member, Local Government)A member since 1996, Grahame has been involved in transportation for over 30 years and has had a particular interest in disability issues for 15 years. He is Head of Planning and Transportation with North Lanarkshire Council where his responsibilities also include building control. He is an adviser to the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) on disability matters. He is also a member of the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland, a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (CEng, MICE), Fellow of the Insitute of Highways and Transportation (FIHT) and Member of the Institute of Transport (MILT). Jenny Meadows (Lead Member, Community Transport)Jenny has been a member since 1995 and is the Lead Member on Community Transport. She initially qualified in social work residential childcare and began her career in the transport sector at Readibus. In 1982 she became the Co-ordinator of Manchester Community Transport, and then set up Ring & Ride in Greater Manchester before being recruited to run the Advice and Information Service for the Community Transport Association (CTA), where she later became the Director. Through CTA she is directly involved with the Department for Transport, the Department for Regional Development Northern Ireland, Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly, local authorities and numerous voluntary-sector organisations. Under Jenny's leadership the CTA's Annual Event has become one of the largest voluntary-sector conferences in the UK. Tom Pey (Lead Member, Taxis and Private-Hire Services)Tom is blind and became a member in 2002. He is the Lead Member on Taxis and Private-Hire Vehicles. He is Director of Policy for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. He is a Member of the JMU Access Partnership Strategic Committee, Pets Passport Advisory Committee at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), and the Family Services Committee at the Royal London Society for the Blind. He is also a trustee of the Royal London Society for the Blind. He is also a member of the Low Vision Services Implementation Group (LVSIG), Joint Council for the Mobility of Blind and Partially Sighted People (JCMBPS), and the Improving Lives Coalition Steering Committee. He is contracted by John Wiley and Sons as an author to write books and by Fastnet Films (Ireland) to write or present television shows. David PughDavid was our first member with mental-health interests and became a member in 2002. He is the transport policy officer for Greater London Association of Disabled People (GLAD). He was formerly a regional industrial organiser for the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU), specialising in passenger transport, and a former bus driver. He is a Trustee of the Manic Depressive Fellowship and a member of Mind, the Disability Rights Commission and the Transport and General Workers' Union. Keith Richards (Lead Member, Aviation)Keith became a member in 2002 and is the Lead Member on Aviation. He is Head of Consumer Affairs at the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) with special responsibility for access issues. He was a member of the Department for Transport Air Access Working Group and is a lay representative of the Architects' Registration Board (the statutory regulator of that profession). He is the UK Government representative on the European Commission working group on sustainable tourism, a member of the European Civil Aviation conference, and an editorial board member of the Journal of Financial Law and Compliance. He is also a freelance broadcaster and writer on consumer issues with Good Housekeeping magazine. Carol Thomas (Lead Member, Education and Training)Carol has been a member since 1999 and chairs the Education and Training Group. She is our representative on the Wales Transport Forum and Access Committee for Wales. Carol is Senior Policy Advisor for JMU Access Partnership and provides the Secretariat for the Joint Committee on Mobility of Blind and Partially Sighted People. Carol is actively involved in a wide range of access-related committees including the management panel of the National Register of Access Consultants and Disability Rights Commission strategy groups, and is the Vice-Chair of the Access Association Wales Region. Carol is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. Glynn VernonGlynn became a member in 2002. He was a wheelchair user and a freelance consultant in disability issues, diversity, and the voluntary sector and a former Vice-Chair and member of Scope's Executive Council. He was also a member of the National Care Standards Commission. Richard WestRichard is deaf and has a learning disability. He has been a member since 1999 when he became our first member with a learning disability. He is also a member of the Department of Health Task Force on Valuing People, which is working to make sure the White Paper on Learning Disabilities is put into practice. He works with CHANGE on transport issues and is a member of the Greater London Association of Disabled People (GLAD) Transport Committee and the Community Transport Association He also helps CHANGE look at information to make it more accessible and has worked on projects with Transport for London. This Document has also been made available in Adobe Acrobat format
for downloading.
Published 29 April 2003 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
