News Release (14 June 2006):
DPTAC publishes research on disabled people and passenger ships
The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) today published research showing how thoroughly the shipping industry has taken its guidance on improving the accessibility of passenger ships, ferries and ports to disabled people. The guidance issued in 2000 expanded on guidance produced by the International Maritime Organisation.
The Secretary of State for Transport, Douglas Alexander, welcomed the report saying:
"This report will be invaluable in our decision on how to make shipping services more accessible to disabled people, including whether to lift the current exemption from Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995."
Neil Betteridge, Chair of DPTAC said:
"This research confirms the experience of disabled passengers that access on ships and at ports has improved, but that passengers still encounter barriers at the terminal and on the vessel. These could be overcome if the recommendations in our guidance were followed more thoroughly. The guidance document would also benefit from being updated to reflect the changes in regulations and related guidance. We look forward to the Government's swift response to all the recommendations from this research, including lifting the current exemption from Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995."
Notes for 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. DPTAC's research "Review of DPTAC guidance: large passenger ships and passenger infrastructure - final report" is available on the DPTAC website at: www.dptac.gov.uk/pubs/guideshipfinal/index.htm. Hard copies are available from the address below, as are copies in other formats.
3. DPTAC's research "Review of Guidance on the design of large passenger ships and passenger infrastructure to meet the needs of disabled people" is available on the DPTAC website at: www.dptac.gov.uk/pubs/guideship/index.htm. Hard copies are available from PO Box 236, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7NB, tel 0870 1226 236, fax 0870 1226 237, quoting reference 00PRLT0215, and copies in other format are available from the DPTAC address below.
4. The DPTAC guidance includes the full text of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) guidelines entitled "Recommendation on the Design and Operation of Passenger Ships to Respond to Elderly and Disabled Persons Needs". This was issued in September 1997 as Marine Guidance Note (MGN31) by the Marine Safety Agency (now the Maritime and Coastguard Agency) to naval architects and ship designers, owners, operators and builders. IMO papers can be obtained from the IMO, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7RS (www.imo.org).
5. For further information on DPTAC, contact:
Andy Kirby, DPTAC Secretary
Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
4/24 Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DR
Direct line: 020 7944 8012
Fax: 020 7944 6998
Minicom: 020 7944 3277
E-mail: dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.dptac.gov.uk
Top of page
|
