A journey towards equality
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With the latest changes to public transport in the Disability Discrimination Act disabled people, or those with long memories, may recall the 1980s British Rail slogan “We’re getting there.” Despite the many barriers that still undoubtedly exist there is a feeling that progress is being made. The first annual report of the Office for Disability Issues (ODI), published earlier this year, gave some examples of this. All new buses and coaches on scheduled and local services are now accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users. On the railways more than 4,400 accessible rail vehicles had been introduced into service by the end of last year. At the same time, the report said that 46% of the bus fleet was accessible too. With the legislative changes which came into force this week, another milestone has been passed on the road to better access for all. Disabled people now have added protection from discrimination when travelling on public transport. This is because the 2005 Disability Discrimination Act brings land-based public transport within part 3 - the goods and services part - of the 1995 act. This should help stop a range of discrimination faced by disabled people, such as taxi drivers pretending not to see a visually impaired person with a long cane at the front of a taxi queue or coach drivers who refuse to allow a learning disabled person on board, pretending that all the seats are taken. More : guardian.co.uk |