Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) Publication Scheme
The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
1. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) is 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 disabled people, 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 Publication 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 Publication 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. 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
E-mail: 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
E-mail: dft@twoten.press.net
Purpose and aim of Publication Scheme
6. DPTAC has developed this Publication Scheme to meet the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and has agreed it with the Information Commissioner. The Publication 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 Publication 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 Publication Scheme but that DPTAC has chosen to make available. If you cannot find what you want either on the web site or through this Publication 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 Publication 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.
12. The DPTAC web site is structured around the main areas of work undertaken by the Committee. Information is currently available on:
- About DPTAC
- Access for all
- Air travel
- Buildings
- Buses
- Maritime
- Access Directory
- Motoring
- Taxis
- Trains
- Door to Door (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 disc and endeavour to make these available at the time of publication of the standard print version. We provide easy-read versions for people with learning difficulties where appropriate. We will endeavour to make material available in languages other than English, where necessary, on request.
What is included in the Publication Scheme?
14. The DPTAC Publication 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. Where publications are jointly owned by DPTAC and other bodies (which may also be required to prepare a Publications Scheme) then we shall consult those bodies to ensure that we share a consistent policy on the classification and publication of these documents.
15. The classes of information that DPTAC will make available, and the limitations to that availability, 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 Publication 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 Publication 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 those responses in accordance with any Publication Schemes of their own.
Timing: we will normally make the consultation documents available during the consultation period and thereafter on the DPTAC website 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 Publication 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 annexes to its Memoranda on the associated statutory instruments.
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 Publication 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 Publication 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 website for one year thereafter and on request in hard copy until superseded. This only applies to those published after this Publication 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 Publication 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 Publication 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 Publication 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 website. |
| 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 Publication 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. |
Neil Betteridge
Chair
DPTAC
28 October 2004
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