Developing the Work Programme of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) 2003

Introduction

The overriding aim of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) is to work for a fully inclusive transport system and built environment which is accessible to all within the next ten years.

For the year 2003 we have developed a Work Programme to help achieve our aims. It will set out our priorities for the year, our main activities, how we are going to do it, potential problems, and how we can demonstrate whether or not we are succeeding. We will publish a final work programme in December 2002 and report on our progress in our Annual Report 2003.

We intend to complete this exercise every year to give you the opportunity to influence our work.

The priorities

For 2003-4 our priorities are:

• to consider issues related to our statutory function - our primary function is to advise Government and we some specific functions that we are asked to do.
• to consider relevant DRTF recommendations - we will be monitoring progress and focussing on issues where we can make an impact.
• to measure and monitor accessibility - we will be examining progress, and plans for measuring access for disabled people.
• to mainstream accessibility - we will encourage everyone who influences transport and the built environment to take ownership of the need to improve access for everyone.
• to develop guidance on accessibility issues - we will continue to develop guidance that assists those responsible to provide an inclusive environment.
• to provide information to disabled people - we want disabled people to be advocates of their own transport and built environment needs and to learn from disabled people what their priorities are.

Our activities for 2003

On each of our priorities we will be undertaking a range of activities. We will be seeking to address issues relevant to all modes of travel, built environments and all 8.6 million disabled people in Britain. However we have to focus on specific tasks and use our resources wisely, our plan for next year are set out below.

To consider issues related to our statutory function

Our primary function is to advise the Government on the transport and built environment needs of disabled people. In doing so we have some specific tasks we are asked to do. We will:

1. Encourage the Secretary of State asks us to report on during the year.

2. Respond to consultations of relevance to access for disabled people.

3. Produce a briefing on expectations from consultations.

4. Advise the Secretary of State on Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations exemption applications.

5. Advise MIU on exemptions from the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) where they are contentious, to help clarify points of principle.

6. Advise on policies for accessible taxis, if the Government comes forward with proposals, and press for progress if they do not.

7. Promote adherence to the SRA Code of Practice 'Train and Station Services for Disabled Passengers' and, at a strategic level to establish points of principle, for dispensations.

8. Promote effective Disabled Persons Protection Policies in the rail industry.

9. Advise on the Transport Act 2000 requirements for substitute rail services at a strategic level to establish points of principle.

10. Advise on any future stages in the review of the Blue Badge Scheme.

11. Publish and disseminate our Annual Report 2002 by the end of April 2003.

To consider relevant DRTF recommendations

The Disability Rights Task Force made recommendations in 1999 on changes needed to ensure full and enforceable civil rights for disabled people. We will seek to monitor and influence progress on those issues within our transport and built environment remit, in particular we will:

12. Monitor progress following the Department for Transport consultation on taking forward the DRTF transport recommendations due at the end of 2002.

13. Assist the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in revising Part M of the Building Regulations, considering the outcome of consultation held in autumn 2002.

14. Promote changes to the planning system to ensure revisions play an effective role in securing an inclusive environment.

15. Complete research on increasing the availability of private hire services to disabled people by December 2003.

16. If funding is forthcoming, initiate research evaluating the effectiveness of DPTAC's guidance on large passenger ferries and terminals.

To measure and monitor accessibility

The Government is committed to improving accessibility for disabled people and is working towards this goal. We consider it a high priority that progress is measured and monitored to identify the need for any changes. In doing so, we will:

17. Consider how improvements to access for disabled people can be measured and monitored by Government at all levels.

18. Consideration of the Social Exclusion Unit report on transport, 'Making connections', due in December 2002.

19. Initiate a review of concessionary fares for disabled people inviting comments from operators, local authorities and disabled people.

20. To provide input into the DfT research monitoring the adoption of the Air Access Code of Practice.

21. Consider the implications of increasing use of scooters and buggies.

To mainstream accessibility

Access for disabled people is the responsibility of everyone with an influence over transport and the built environment but this has not traditionally been included as part of their professional training. We want to ensure greater awareness of the issues and solutions among a wider audience. In doing so we will:

22. Launch advice on procuring accessible buildings through development briefs and promote it widely during the first half of the year.

23. Identify what professional skills and competencies in access for disabled people are necessary and available, making recommendations on meeting this need.

24. Launch an award for undergraduate students demonstrating a clear appreciation of inclusive environments in their studies.

25. With MACS, host a conference of European governmental access advisory committees.

To develop guidance on accessibility issues

During our existence we have sought to ensure guidance is available to those seeking to improve accessibility. Much of this advice is now well established or included in regulations. However there are other areas where guidance can be improved. We will:

26. Identify take up of existing guidance for transport service providers on customer care issues and need for an additional material.

27. Publish a draft specification for improving access to toilets on aircraft in the Spring with a view to publishing guidance in the summer.

28. Develop a draft specification for an on-board wheelchair for use on aircraft.

To provide information to disabled people

Disabled people need to be able to travel in confidence and know their destination will be accessible. We want to help promote the improvements that are being made and enable people to play a full and active part in society. In 2003 we will:

29. Disseminate guidance for less mobile and older flyers, due to be published in 2002 to complement DfT's Code of Practice on Access to Air Travel.

30. Develop resources to assist disabled people and local access groups to influence transport and built environment providers at local level.

31. Update and review http://www.dptac.gov.uk to ensure it remains relevant and informative.

Resources

The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) is a small organisation. We have twenty members plus a Chair who volunteer their time, five officials and the contributions of many interested organisations. We will use our resources to the best effect, focussing on areas where we can make an impact, to benefit the 8.6 million disabled people in Britain.

However, we need to limit the amount we try to do each year and be realistic about our objectives so that we can give timely and credible advice to Government. This work programme sets out an ambitious programme covering our priorities in 2003.

Monitoring

We will be monitoring our performance against this plan on a regular basis with reports to each Main Committee meeting and reporting on our performance in the Annual Report at the end of each year.

Communicating our plan

The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) is an open and inclusive organisation. In developing this plan we consulted our members and key stakeholders.

We will publish a draft plan for 2004 in the autumn but welcome comments and feedback at any time.

Feedback

DPTAC welcomes your views on our work. For more specific information and advice, we can be contacted as follows:

E-mail: dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 7944 8012
Fax: 020 7944 6998
Textphone: 020 7944 3277
Write to us: DPTAC, 1/14 Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR

Published: 25 March 2003

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