This is an item of news from PMLD Network:  Forum_Facilitator@ldforums.org

 Transport Code of Practice

The DRC is currently consulting on important changes to the Disability Discrimination Act in relation to the provision and use of transport
vehicles.

Shortly before the General Election, Parliament passed the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. This Act makes a number of amendments to the
original DDA (1995). Included are clauses which allow the Government to lift the partial exemption of transport providers from the duties on providers of
goods and services under the DDA.

The Government has announced that it intends to use these powers and extend the DDA, with effect from the end of 2006, to provide full coverage for land
based public transport providers - rail, bus, coach, light rail & tram, taxi & PHV, car rental, and breakdown services.

Transport providers already have duties under Part 3 of the DDA in relation to transport infrastructure & ancillary services such as the accessibility
of stations and the use of public information systems. The change in the DDA will mean that the full range of their services now falls within the scope
of the legislation.

The Department for Transport asked the DRC to prepare a supplement to the existing Code of Practice to Part 3 of the DDA to help clarify what these
new duties will mean for transport providers. The DRC has now published a draft Code of Practice for consultation: "Supplement to Part 3 Code of
Practice; provision and use of transport vehicles" and are now consulting on this draft.

As well as copies of the Code and questionnaire which are available on the website you can also complete the questionnaire online.

The consultation period will last for 12 weeks, beginning on 30 May 2005 and closing on 19 August 2005, and will be a vital opportunity for transport
providers, disability organisations and other stakeholders to give their views. The DRC are very keen to encourage a wide range of responses in order
to help ask draw up effective and useful Codes of Practice to explain these new changes to the law as clearly as possible.

During the Consultation period the DRC will be running and taking part in a series of consultation events in England, Scotland and Wales.

To view the Draft Transport Code,  Summary of Draft Transport or download the questionnaire/ CodeEasy Read: questionnaire, also for further
information go to: http://www.drc.org.uk/thelaw/transportcodes.asp