An official advisory body criticised transport operators over their approach to updating policies on the protection of disabled people. It said the Strategic Rail Authority should be able to require operators not only to prepare, but also to demonstrate implementation of, their policy.
Source: Draft Disabled People s Protection Policies (DPPPs) prepared during Autumn 2002, Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (020 7944 8011)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report
Date: 2002-Dec
The government began consultation on proposals to remove the exemption for transport services from Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act. A transport minister reportedly said: 'It is unacceptable that transport operators can still lawfully deny a person access to a vehicle for no other reason than that person is disabled'.
Source: Consultation on the Government s proposals to Lift the Exemption for Transport Services from some of the Civil Rights Duties in Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act, Department for Transport (020 7944 8021) | The Guardian, 4.12.02
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | Guardian report
Date: 2002-Dec
The government responded to a report from the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee on the operation of the 'blue badge' scheme (which provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or passengers). It accepted most of the recommendations, saying that it would legislate to improve enforcement powers (though not to restrict eligibility in law).
Source: House of Commons Hansard, Written Ministerial Statement 18.12.02, columns 52-53WS, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Hansard | DPTAC press release | DPTAC report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
The Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) Bill received Royal Assent. The new law means that people with visual impairment will benefit from better access to information and literature, by ending the requirement to get copyright permission before making more accessible copies of material.
Source: The Copyright (Visually Impaired Persons) Act 2002, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Text of Act | DTI press release
Date: 2002-Nov
The first ever national standards were published for services provided to blind and partially sighted adults by social services departments.
Source: Progress in Sight: National standards of social care for visually impaired adults, Association of Directors of Social Services, with Royal National Institute of the Blind (08457 023153) and Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Links: Standards (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
A report said that action is needed to improve travel safety for blind and partially sighted people; problems include a lack of announcements at railway stations and poor signage on buses.
Source: Travellers Tales, Royal National Institute for the Blind (0845 702 3153)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Sep
Researchers examined the extent to which service providers are making reasonable adjustments for disabled customers under the Disability Discrimination Act.
Source: N. Meager et al., Cost and Benefits to Service Providers of Making Reasonable Adjustments under Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act, Research Report 169, Department for Work and Pensions (0113 399 4040)
Links: Report (pdf links)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124 (paragraph 7.5)
Date: 2002-Jun
An updated audit report found continued failings in disability equipment services for older and disabled people, with no improvements despite 210 million of additional funds.
Source: Fully Equipped: The Provision of Equipment to Older or Disabled People by the National Health Service and Social Services in England and Wales, Audit Commission (0800 502030)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun