The Australian Human Rights Commission has published new guidelines to facilitate compliance with disability standards for accessible public transport.
Developed with the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Australia and Communications, the guidelines provide information on the operation of the equivalent access provisions of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Cth), and their interaction with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth).
There is also practical guidance regarding considerations when developing or implementing equivalent access measures.
The guidelines reflect concerns that compliance with the Transport Standards in rural, regional and remote locations appeared to be progressing at a slower pace than in urban and metropolitan areas, leaving many people with disability (and their representatives) frustrated and disappointed.
It was considered that guidance on the use of equivalent access would assist operators and providers in rural, regional and remote locations to deliver more accessible transport to passengers with disability.
The Guidelines are available on the AHRC’s website.