Overview
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 set the legal framework for public transport to be made accessible to disabled people. Regulations are now in place covering buses, coaches, trains and trams. In December 2006 (under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005), vehicles were also brought within the scope of the civil rights requirements of the Act. As the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) takes over from the Disability Rights Commission (DRC), this one-day conference discusses how far we have come towards meeting the goal of full accessibility, what challenges remain for the transport industries and for disabled people and what impact the end of the DRC will have on progress and enforcement.
The following issues will be discussed: - "Comprehensive, enforceable civil rights for disabled people" (1997 Labour Manifesto Commitment) - how far have we come? - The European agenda for transport accessibility - Making London a world leader in accessibility: progress and the challenge of 2012 - Disability rights and public transport: the legacy of the DRC and the challenges for the future - Principles and priorities for the CEHR: maintaining the focus on disability rights and public transport - Changing attitudes: have the new civil rights requirements made a difference? - Promoting rail travel to disabled customers: key issues - Getting disabled people on board: views from the bus industry - Bridging the gaps: the role of highways authorities in making public transport accessible.