Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC)



About DPTAC \| Publications \| Site Map \| Links \| Home

DPTAC Consultation on Freedom of Information Act 2000 Publication Scheme

This document has also been made available in Adobe Acrobat and MS Word formats for downloading.
The Adobe® Acrobat Reader® can be freely downloaded.
Viewers with visual difficulties may find it useful to investigate services provided to improve the accessibility of Acrobat documents - www.adobe.com/accessibility/index.html

DPTAC Consultation on Freedom of Information Act 2000 Publication Scheme (Adobe Acrobat - 134kb)
DPTAC Consultation on Freedom of Information Act 2000 Publication Scheme (MS Word - 132kb)

Introduction
Purpose of the consultation
Content of the Publication Scheme
Summary of consultation questions
Alternative formats
Consultation criteria: Code of Practice
Disclosure of Responses
How to respond
Closing date
Draft Publication Scheme
Annex A: Background on The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
Annex B: Consultation Code of Practice

Introduction

1. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) is consulting on the content of its Publication Scheme. Annex A contains further information on DPTAC.

2. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 places a duty on public authorities (such as DPTAC) to adopt and maintain a Publication Scheme that must be approved by the Information Commissioner. The scheme lists and defines the classes of information that the authority will publish, indicates the manner in which information is or is intended to be published and states whether charges are applied for the information.

Purpose of the consultation

3. DPTAC is seeking the views and comments of those with an interest in its work on the form and coverage of the Publication Scheme.

Content of the Publication Scheme

4. The Publication Scheme sets out the classes of information that DPTAC plans to publish, the timing of publication, and what charges may be made for publications.

Summary of consultation questions

5. You are welcome to comment on any aspect of the draft Publication Scheme. However DPTAC would be grateful for your comments on the following questions:

1. Is there information that you think DPTAC should publish but which is not included in the Publication Scheme?

2. Is there information that you think DPTAC should not publishing but which is included in the Publication Scheme?

3. Could the wording and presentation of the Publication Scheme be improved?

4. How well does the DPTAC Publication Scheme provide access to records of the decisions taken by DPTAC, together with the information upon which those decisions are based, and the decision making process?

5. Are there any further steps DPTAC could take to produce the Publication Scheme in alternative formats and languages so that it is accessible to individuals with disabilities, those who do not have English as their first language or those in disadvantaged communities?

6. Does the Publication Scheme meet your needs and those of any disability, transport or built environment organisation that you represent?

7. Are there other legislative, regulatory or other requirements that would prevent the implementation of this Publication Scheme?

Alternative formats

6. You can view this consultation document in full on the DPTAC website at: www.dptac.gov.uk.

7. The document can be downloaded free of charge using either Word format or PDF format using Adobe Acrobat. It is possible to alter the font and text size of documents on our website.

8. We can also make this consultation document available in large print, disc, Braille and audio tape. Details of how to order copies are given below.

Consultation criteria: Code of Practice

9. This consultation is being carried out in accordance with the Government's Code of Practice on Written Consultation, a summary of which can be found in Annex 2.

Disclosure of responses

10. DPTAC will make your response publicly available unless you ask us not to. Please make it clear if you would object to us copying or disclosing your response to others. All responses will be included in any summary of results, although individuals will not be identified. Names and addresses may be held in an electronic database of interested parties for the purpose of distributing future documents on similar issues.

How to respond

11. Please send your comments on this Publication Scheme to:

Andy Kirby
DPTAC Secretariat
Zone 1/14
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DR

Tel: 020 7944 8012
Fax: 020 7944 6998
Text Phone: 020 7944 3277
E-mail: andy.kirby@dft.gsi.gov.uk or dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk

12. If you are making specific comments or amendments, please use page and paragraph numbers.

13. You can also contact us at the above address if you would like more information about this consultation, if you have examples of good practice to bring to our attention, or if you would like to receive a copy of the final Publication Scheme, to be published later in 2004.

14. Representative bodies or organisations are asked to bring this paper to the attention of all the various interests they represent. Additional copies of this consultation paper may be obtained from us, full contact details are given above, or may be downloaded from the our web site at www.dptac.gov.uk.

Closing date

15. Please send us your comments by 1 October 2004.

Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) Draft Publication Scheme

The Disabled Persons' Transport Advisory Committee

1. We are the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC). We are an advisory non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Transport (DfT). DPTAC advises the Government on the transport and built environment needs of disabled people.

2. DPTAC's aim is to work for transport and built environments that accommodate the needs of all disabled people and are accessible to all, within the next ten years. Our objectives are to:

Provide timely and credible advice to Government on the transport and built environment needs of disabled people
Provide guidance and advice to the transport and built environment industries on how best to meet the needs of disabled people
Inform disabled people of developments in accessible transport and the built environment
Promote the interests of all disabled people in relation to transport and the built environment

Introduction to the Publication Scheme

3. This Publication Scheme sets out the sorts of information that DPTAC publishes at present and will publish in the future. The Publication Scheme also explains how you can obtain this information. The information you seek may be available directly through DPTAC or from others. The Scheme also makes it clear whether the information is available free of charge or if you have to pay for it.

4. You will be able to obtain information contained in the Scheme either by asking for information on subjects, or by asking for a specific document. At times the Publication Scheme may refer you to the Department for Transport's Publication Scheme. This is because DPTAC staff are civil servants, and some DPTAC research is managed through the Department for Transport. The Department for Transport is also responsible for appointments to DPTAC.

5. The DPTAC Secretariat looks after the day to day management of the Publication Scheme, as well as information on the DPTAC web site.

Contact details

Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC)

DPTAC Secretariat
1/14 Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR

Tel: 020 7944 8011
Email: dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Department for Transport

Information Management Division
Ashdown House
Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6DE

Tel: 020 7944 3146

DfT Free Literature Service
PO Box 236
Wetherby
LS23 7NB

Tel: 0870 1226 236
Email: dft@twoten.press.net

Purpose and aim of scheme

6. DPTAC has developed this Publication Scheme to meet the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and agreed it with the Information Commissioner. The Scheme provides guidance on the information DPTAC currently publishes or plans to publish in the future. It takes account of the provisions of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and the Environmental Information Regulations 1992 (as amended).

7. The Publication Scheme is not a list of publications, as these will change frequently. It is a description of the classes of information that DPTAC publishes. A list of DPTAC publications is available on the DPTAC web site (www.dptac.gov.uk) or from the DPTAC Secretariat (details as above).

8. DPTAC will make the information included in the scheme available, either on the DPTAC web site, or through the contact points listed. The DPTAC web site also includes information that is not covered by this Scheme but that DPTAC has chosen to make available. If you cannot find what you want either on the web site or through this scheme, then you may wish to make an access request under the provisions of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992 or the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, until 2005 when the Freedom of Information Act 2000 will come fully into force. Access requests should be directed to the Secretariat or Department contacts listed above.

Is information free of charge or on payment?

9. There may be a charge for information published under the Scheme, depending on how you choose to access it. The different ways in which you may access the information are set out below.

a) Information that appears on our website. There is no charge by us if you print off information that appears on the web site (although you may of course have to meet any charges by your Internet service provider, personal printing costs etc). If you do not have Internet access, a single printout as on the website will be available from DPTAC (see above) free of charge. Although we will provide multiple copies we encourage organisations to make their own copies.

b) Current publicity leaflets, booklets or guidance issued by DPTAC will be available from DfT Free Literature Service (contact details above) free of charge. In some cases there may be a maximum number of copies that can be sent free of charge.

c) Information that appears in the Publication Scheme may be viewed free of charge at DfT's Library (for details see contact above). If you wish to make photocopies of the information a charge may be levied. This will be payable in advance.

10. If you want to re-use or reproduce our publications, e.g. commercially or for circulation for education, etc, purposes, you will in most cases need acknowledge DPTAC as the source. You may not reproduce our logo without permission.

11. DPTAC is a Crown body and our information is subject to Crown copyright administered by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. For HMSO Guidance Notes on a range of copyright issues, see the HMSO website: www.opsi.gov.uk/advice/crown-copyright/copyright-guidance/index.htm.

DPTAC web site - www.dptac.gov.uk

12. For the information that is available on the web site, the DPTAC web site is currently structured around the main areas of consideration by the Committee. In the future, the structure may change but information is currently available on:

About DPTAC
Access for all
Air travel
Buildings
Buses
Maritime
Access Directory
Motoring
Taxis
Trains
Travel information
Walking

Format of publication

13. All DPTAC publications are widely available in alternative formats. For print documents we use a 14 point sans serif font and we follow clear print guidance. We also produce versions on audiotape, Braille and disk and make these available at the time of publication of the standard print version. We will make material available in languages other than English, where necessary, on request.

What is included in the scheme?

14. The DPTAC Scheme sets out the classes of information that we will issue proactively. Any restrictions, limitations, timing and costs are set out for each class. We will exclude any information where disclosure is prohibited under any law.

15. The classes of information that DPTAC will make available and any limitations are as follows:

Class	Description
Advertisements	Scope: Published information placed with specific media in support of DPTAC sponsored public events. We will normally make the information available on the DPTAC web site (www.dptac.gov.uk) or through the Secretariat (020 7944 8012). Timing: The information above will be available once it has been published. It will be available for one year after release. This only applies to written advertisements that have been published after this scheme comes into effect. Costs: Free of charge.
Annual Reports	Scope: DPTAC's Annual Report includes information about DPTAC's main areas of work, progress made against the outline work programme, and membership. We will normally make it available on the DPTAC web site (www.dptac.gov.uk) and in hard copy from DfT Free Literature. Timing: We will make these reports available from their date of publication and for one year afterwards. This only applies to those published after this scheme comes into effect. The web site will hold copies of all Annual Reports published since 1997. Costs: Free of charge.
Consultation Papers	Scope: Where DPTAC undertakes public consultation on a draft document, we will make the relevant papers available on the DPTAC web site (www.dptac.gov.uk). In line with the Code of Practice on Written Consultation we will also make available on request those responses to our consultations that are not subject to a request for confidentiality. We will also publish a summary of responses received, which will be published on the DPTAC web site. In addition, those bodies to which whom DPTAC makes responses may also publish them in accordance with their own Publication Schemes. Timing: We will normally make the consultation documents available during the consultation period and thereafter on the DPTAC web site for a minimum of one year. We will post a summary of responses on our site after we have made an announcement of the outcome, available for one year thereafter. This only applies to those published after this scheme comes into effect. Costs: Free of charge.
Consultation Responses	Scope: Where DPTAC responds to a public consultation, we will make this available from the Secretariat on request. We will also publish consultation responses on significant issues on the DPTAC web site. DPTAC consultation responses to the Department for Transport on Rail Vehicle Access Regulation exemption requests will be published by the Department for Transport as an annex to its Memoranda on the associated statutory instrument. Timing: We will make consultation responses available for a minimum of 1 year following the consultation period. This only applies to those published after this scheme comes into effect. Costs: Free of charge.
External guidelines, instructions and manuals	Scope: DPTAC will make all guidance, including technical publications, prepared for the general public, industry or other statutory bodies and issued by DPTAC, on the DPTAC web site (www.dptac.gov.uk) and from DfT Free Literature. Timing: Available after the guidelines have been formally published and until they are superseded. Costs: Free of charge.
Internal guidelines, instructions and manuals for Members	Scope: All DPTAC Members receive internal guidance on administrative processes relating to the work of the Committee. The manual for members will be available on DPTAC web site (www.dptac.gov.uk). We will make technical, ad hoc or tailored guidance available at the point that it is incorporated into the manual. Timing: This will be made available once it has been formally approved. It will be available on the web site for one year thereafter and on request in hard copy until superseded. This only applies to manuals published after this scheme comes into effect. Costs: Free of charge.
Internal guidelines, instructions and manuals for officials	Scope: DPTAC officials follow internal guidance prepared for DfT officials in the course of their work. For information on these please refer to the DfT Publication Scheme. Timing: These will be made available once they have been formally approved. They will be available on the web site for one year thereafter and on request in hard copy until superseded. This only applies to those published after this scheme comes into effect. Costs: Subject to the charges set out in the introduction to this publication scheme.
Job advertisements	Scope: All DfT external recruitment and appointment opportunities will be available on the DfT web site (www.dft.gov.uk). This includes external recruitment and appointment opportunities with DPTAC. Timing: As soon as they are approved for publication. They will remain available until the application date has passed. This only applies to external recruitment and appointment opportunities published after this scheme comes into effect. Recruitment and appointment opportunities will be covered by the DfT's Publication Scheme. Costs: Free of charge.
Meetings	Scope: DPTAC will publish the minutes of Main Committee meetings. DPTAC will release information, except where it is personal, has been provided by a third party in confidence, or where its release may jeopardise national security or affect relations between DPTAC, the Department and other bodies and individuals. We will indicate clearly where information has been withheld. DPTAC will make available meeting papers relevant to Main Meeting Agenda items on request, where they are the property of DPTAC and are not exempt from Freedom of Information requirements. Where they are the property of other organisations or individuals then the request will be passed to that organisation or individual. Timing: Information in relation to the meetings described here will be released after approval by the subsequent Main Committee through the DPTAC web site (www.dptac.gov.uk). This only applies to those meetings that take place after this scheme comes into effect. Costs: Free of charge.
Press releases	Scope: All DPTAC press releases are available from the DPTAC web site (www.dptac.gov.uk) or from the DfT Press Office (DfT DoC Resource Management team, Zone 5/08 Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London, SW1 4DR, tel: 020 7944 4362). Timing: Following official public release or publication and available for one year thereafter. This only applies to those published after this scheme comes into effect. Costs: Free of charge.
Research	Scope: Details of research planned or commissioned by DPTAC fall within the scope of the DfT Publication Scheme. In addition, notices, strategies and summaries of research project reports will be published on the DPTAC web site at (www.dptac.gov.uk). Full research reports may also be published on the web site.
Speeches	Scope: A published version of any major speeches by DPTAC Members will be available on the DPTAC web site (www.dptac.gov.uk). Copies will available from the Secretariat (see details above). Timing: Available soon after the speech is given. This only applies to speeches made after this scheme comes into effect. Costs: Free of charge.
Tender documents	Scope: DPTAC tender documents meet DfT requirements. They will be covered by the DfT's Publication Scheme.

Annex A: Background on The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee

1. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) was established under the Transport Act 1985, as an independent statutory body advising the Government on the transport and mobility needs of disabled people.

2. The committee has a maximum of 20 members and a Chairperson appointed by Ministers (of whom at least half must be disabled people), representing a wide range of transport interests. Members are unpaid, apart from the reimbursement of expenses.

3. Since summer 2000, DPTAC has also been responsible for advising the Government on the built environment needs of disabled people, as recommended by the Disability Rights Task Force.

4. DPTAC provides expert advice on a broad range of transport and built environment issues aimed at improving access for disabled people, and carries out independent research on disabled people and their use of transport, with the aim of promoting a more inclusive society.

5. DPTAC's statutory remit is to consider matters referred to it by the Secretary of State, but it can also consider any other matter, such as advising on Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which applies to airport operators, bus and train operators as service providers in relation to airports, rail and bus stations and associated infrastructure.

Annex B: Consultation Code of Practice

This consultation has been carried out in accordance with the Government's Code of Practice on Written Consultation. The Code of Practice requires that:

1. Timing of consultation should be built into the planning process for a policy (including legislation) or service from the start, so that it has the best prospect of improving the proposals concerned, and so that sufficient time is left for it at each stage;

2. It should be clear who is being consulted, about what questions, in what timescale and for what purpose;

3. A consultation document should be as simple and concise as possible. It should include a summary, in two pages at most, of the main questions it seeks views on. It should make it as easy as possible for readers to respond, make contact or complain;

4. Documents should be made widely available, with the fullest use of electronic means (though not to the exclusion of others), and effectively drawn to the attention of all interested groups and individuals;

5. Sufficient time should be allowed for considered responses from all groups with an interest. Twelve weeks should be the standard minimum period for a consultation;

6. Responses should be carefully and open-mindedly analysed, and the results made widely available, with an account of the views expressed, and reasons for decisions finally taken;

7. Departments should monitor and evaluate consultations, designating a consultation coordinator who will ensure the lessons are disseminated.

About DPTAC

Top of page

Green line break