Government plan to scrap DPTAC
Transport for All
Transport for All and Inclusion London are...
Transport for All and Inclusion London are hitting back at the government’s plans to scrap the Disabled Persons’ Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC). In a consultation paper from the Dept of Transport, five options have been put forward to replace the statutory committee.
These include ‘using existing expertise’ within the Dept of Transport, to setting up a ‘specialist body of experts’ None of the options proposed are statutory, which mean they have no standing in law and can be ignored.
The full range of options proposed by government can be viewed here:
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-20110607i/dft-20110607i.pdf
A joint response has been produced by both pan London organisations which states:
“Norman Baker suggests the government’s approach to disability has ‘moved forward significantly since 1985…’. However, in the short period the present government has been in power their approach to disability is taking disabled people back to the 1940’s“
“We strongly suggest that a statutory committee is formed consisting of disabled people and their organisations and appropriate transport experts. It is crucial that disabled people are involved and consulted in the planning, monitoring and delivering of transport services to ensure that transport provision in the future is accessible“.
It goes on to say:
“We recommend a committee that includes disabled people, transport access experts, transport providers and designers. This mix of mobility experts will be able to find practical solutions to transport planning opportunities and challenges“.
The full response can be viewed here:
