News
Release (10 July 2001):
DPTAC to Investigate Accessibility Education and Training
Education
and training on improving accessibility for disabled people is to be probed
by a new high level working group.
DPTAC
- the Government's statutory advisers on the transport needs of disabled
people - is setting up the group to advise Ministers on how education
and training can be improved.
The
group will look at the way universities and professional institutions
include accessibility in their courses and qualifications, as well as
examining training currently available on disability awareness.
Jane
Wilmot OBE, DPTAC Chair, will head the new group. Jane said:
"Accessibility
means making services and buildings easy for everyone to use, including
disabled people. Currently, education and training in accessibility
is not always an integral component of academic courses or training
given by transport operators. We need to ensure that the workforce of
tomorrow - and today - fully understand and have the skills to meet
the needs of disabled people."
"The
new group will try to identify any shortcomings in the administration
and regulation of education and training, and make recommendations to
Government on how the situation can be improved. We will also look for
examples of best practice."
"If
designers, engineers, architects and transport planners can be fully
educated in the benefits of accessibility, buildings and transport services
and facilities will be easier for everyone to use."
"This
is a hugely important area, as acknowledged by a recent Council of Europe
resolution calling for universal design principles to be incorporated
in education and training. We will take time to examine all the issues
thoroughly and report our findings to Government over the coming months."
The
new group will initially consist of DPTAC members. Other organisations
will be invited to nominate representatives in due course.
Notes
to Editors
1.
The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) was set up under
the Transport Act of 1985 to advise Government on the transport needs
of all disabled people. It has a maximum of 20 members (of whom at least
half must be disabled people), representing a wide range of transport
interests. Members are appointed by Ministers and are unpaid, apart from
the reimbursement of expenses.
2.
The Council of Europe Resolution ResAP(2001)(1) is available at: https://wcd.coe.int.
3.
For further information, contact the John Nicholls or Tim Pope at DPTAC
Secretariat on 020 7944 3238, (textphone 020 7944 3277), fax 020 7944
6998 or email dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk.
Disabled
Persons Transport Advisory Committee
Zone 1/14
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DR
Direct
Line: 020 7944 3238
Fax: 020 7944 6998
Minicom: 020 7944 3277
GTN Code: 3533
E-mail: dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk
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