Annual Report 1999

Foreword

The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) is widely respected both within Government and also by local authorities, the transport industries, and, of course, by the many disability organisations which are active in this field.

Since it was first set up in 1986 the Committee's role has increased significantly. They now have a wide range of statutory functions arising from the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and from other legislation which involves them in a great deal of detailed advisory work in addition to their broader and more strategic role on advising Government and other bodies on mobility issues.

Over the last year the Committee has made a major contribution to the implementation and application of the DDA Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations as well as helping us to finalise proposals for buses and coaches.

In addition their remit has ranged from aviation and shipping to pavements and cars. The breadth as well as the depth of the members' expertise is immensely impressive.

The Committee has also taken on new areas of responsibility and, in particular, the role of Jane Wilmot as a member of the Commission for Integrated Transport has ensured that the needs of disabled people have been at the heart of policy discussion and development across the transport spectrum.

I would like to pay personal tribute to the work of Jane Wilmot, her colleagues who chair the Committee's working groups and to all the members of DPTAC who put in an enormous amount of time and effort to support and advise my colleagues and me in taking forward our policies.

Keith Hill MP
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

Published 11 December 2000

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