Submissions for Accessible Land Transport Inquiry
Report invites public submissions for Accessible Land Transport Inquiry
A report released by the Human Rights Commission on Wednesday invites people to make submissions as part of the Commission's Inquiry into Accessible Public Land Transport for people with disabilities. The Inquiry, which was announced in September, will consider the need for changes to legislation, regulations, policies and procedures and funding arrangements.
The consultation report provides a comprehensive assessment of accessible land transport issues for people with disabilities in New Zealand. The report includes the views both of people with disabilities and of people working in the transport sector.
Chief Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan said a lot of people take the ability to make use of a number of forms of transport for granted. "For many people with disabilities public land transport may be their only means of transport."
"The lack of an accessible public land transport system is often a major barrier for disabled people to access jobs, education or even recreation and other community activities," Ms Noonan said.
Submissions
made by members of the public are now being accepted and can
be made in a variety of ways. Copies of the Inquiry
Consultation Report can be found on the Commission's web
site: www.hrc.co.nz/Inquiry * Auckland - 19-21 July * Dunedin - 2-4
August * Oamaru - 5 August * Wellington - 9-11
August * Palmerston North - 12 August "It is important
that all those with an interest in accessible land transport
issues make a submission or attend a public hearing in July
or August," Ms Noonan said. The issue is potentially a
large one. The 2000-2001 national disability survey,
conducted by Statistics New Zealand found that one in five
New Zealanders - a total of 743,800 people - reported some
level of disability. The Inquiry followed a number of
complaints and enquiries, made to the Commission, suggesting
some elements of the public transport system were not
accessible to people with disabilities. "Although we've
been able to resolve some of these there are clearly issues
that require a wider more systemic approach," Ms Noonan
said. The Inquiry, which is being conducted under Section
5(2) (h) of the Human Rights Act 1993, is the first such
Inquiry conducted since the Act was amended in 2001. Ms
Noonan acknowledged the positive response to the Inquiry
from many in the public transport industry and said any
solutions would need wide support. "Addressing the
issues raised will require the involvement of the community
as a whole and cannot simply be directed toward individual
transport operators or regional councils to address," she
said. Since 1994 discrimination against people with
disabilities has been unlawful in a number of areas
including access by the public to places, vehicles and
facilities and in the provision of goods and services.
Making a submission/further information Submissions or
indications of those wanting to present their submissions at
the public hearings should be sent to: Bruce Coleman,
Project Manager, Human Rights Commission, PO Box 1578,
Christchurch; or to brucec@hrc.co.nz Public submissions
will be received up until 31 August 2004, although those
people wishing to present their submissions at the public
hearings need to inform the Commission by 30 June 2004.
People can also make telephone submissions between 7-18
June. Copies of the Inquiry Consultation Report can be
found on the Commission's web site: www.hrc.co.nz/Inquiry
Hearing venues will be posted in the public
notices sections of local newspapers closer to the scheduled
dates. The information will also be available by contacting
the Commission Infoline (0800 496 877) or on the HRC web
site: www.hrc.co.nz/Inquiry. Inquiry into Accessible
Public Land Transport > Questions and Answers Why is the
Commission conducting the Inquiry? Since 1994 discrimination
against people with disabilities has been unlawful in a
number of areas including access by the public to places,
vehicles and facilities and in the provision of goods and
services. The Commission has received a significant number
of complaints, enquiries and representations that suggest
some elements of the public transport system may not be
accessible to people with disabilities. The Commission has
been able to resolve some of these issues using the disputes
resolution processes contained in the Human Rights Act 1993.
However, many of the issues brought to the Commission
require a systemic approach to facilitate nationwide access
to public land transport services for people with
disabilities. The Commission considers that an inquiry
will establish the range of issues involved for the various
public land transport users and providers, allow all those
with an interest to express their views and incorporate best
practice from other jurisdictions in any proposed
solutions. Under what section of the Human Rights Act is
the Inquiry being conducted? The Inquiry is being conducted
under Section 5(2) (h) of the Human Rights Act 1993. How
is disability defined for the purposes of the Inquiry? For
the purposes of this Inquiry people with disabilities have
the meaning contained in section 21(1) h of the Human Rights
Act 1993. This meaning covers the following: (i) Physical
disability or impairment; (ii) Physical
illness; (iii) Psychiatric illness; (iv) Intellectual or
psychological disability or impairment; Any other loss or
abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical
structure or function; (vi) Reliance on a guide dog,
wheelchair, or other remedial means; (vii) The presence in
the body of organisms capable of causing illness. How can
I make a submission? The Commission is committed to an
Inquiry that consults widely in ways that respect the
dignity of all those involved. People can make submissions
in a variety of ways including oral submissions made at the
hearings or by forwarding their submissions on tape, by
e-mail, fax or letter. Written submissions to the Inquiry
can be made in either Màori or English. Oral submissions to
the hearings can be made in Màori, English or New Zealand
Sign Language. More information on how to make a submission
is contained on the Commission web site
(www.hrc.co.nz/Inquiry) When will the hearings take place?
Hearings will take place in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin,
Oamaru and Palmerston North in July and August 2004. Will
the hearings be public? The hearings will be open to any
member of the public. A schedule of hearing times (and
locations) will be circulated in advance of the hearings so
that interested parties have an opportunity to attend and
hear submissions of particular interest to them. Hearing
details will also be posted on the HRC web site:
(www.hrc.co.nz/Inquiry) Who will sit on the Inquiry Panel?
The Inquiry Panel will be chaired by Human Rights Chief
Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan. The other members of the Panel
are Human Rights Commissioner Robyn Hunt and EEO
Commissioner Judy McGregor. Will the final report be made
public? The final report will be released publicly in early
2005. The report will also be placed on the HRC web site:
(www.hrc.co.nz/Inquiry). How will the report's
recommendations be implemented? The report will be presented
to Government, local Government and transport providers for
implementation. The implementation process will be
monitored by the Human Rights
Commission.