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UK Government
neglecting disabled bus passengers' rights, says local Euro MP
AS part of World Sight
Day's mission to raise awareness of blindness and visual impairment,
North West Labour MEP and Chair of the European Parliament's
Transport Committee Brian Simpson has joined the Shadow Secretary of
State for Transport Maria Eagle and the RNIB to condemn the UK
Government's position on disabled bus passenger rights.
Under a Department for Transport consultation, the Coalition is
pushing for a 5 year wait, before adopting new EU laws that would
make disability-awareness training for bus drivers compulsory.
In a letter to the Under-Secretary of State for Transport Norman
Baker MP, Brian Simpson MEP and Maria Eagle MP argue that the EU
legislation should be adopted immediately, to improve access to
transport for disabled passengers.
Mr Simpson said:- "By pushing to delay this legislation, the
Government has once again demonstrated its disregard for the most
vulnerable in our society, instead plumping for half-hearted
measures in the name of austerity. We know that there are disabled
people who cannot currently access public transport, leaving them
less able to work, go shopping or take part in leisure activities.
This is completely unacceptable and it is clear that existing
training practices for bus drivers aren't working."
The RNIB has found training varies considerably between companies
and points out that because disability-awareness training is not
currently compulsory, many drivers have no training at all in this
area.
Mr Simpson continued:- "World Sight Day aims to raise
awareness of blindness and visual impairment but it appears that the
Government has little interest in removing barriers to transport
faced by blind and other disabled passengers. This EU legislation is
essential if we are to ensure that all bus drivers have the
necessary understanding of disabled passengers' needs. For example,
drivers would be trained to look out for blind or visually impaired
passengers at bus stops, who might be unable to tell when their bus
is approaching."
The RNIB has launched an online campaign against the Government's
intention to delay the new disability rights and is urging people to
get involved by visiting their
website.
Mr Simpson added:- "The fact that the RNIB
oppose the Government's stance shows just how out of touch the
Tory-Lib Dem coalition is with the needs of disabled passengers.
Delaying this disability rights legislation is only the more
worrying given the Government's current drive to reduce the numbers
of people claiming disability allowance. How is the Coalition
planning to get more disabled people into work, if it is not even
taking the most basic steps to remove the barriers to transport
currently faced by many disabled and reduced mobility passengers? I
would urge the Minister to take the strongest possible action to
ensure equal access to transport for all, by adopting the EU's
disabled bus passenger rights legislation wholly and without
compromise." |
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Local VIPs
Experience Dinner in the Dark for Guide Dogs Week 2012
Photographs by Patrick
Trollope
MERSEYSIDE VIP's have been
given the opportunity to step into the world of people who are blind
or partially sighted at an event that was hosted by Guide Dogs on
the 10 October 2012, in Southport. The event was part of Guide Dogs
Week 2012, which is Guide Dogs' annual awareness and fundraising
week, that ends on 14 October 2012.
At the event, in Southport, important guests including Paralympians,
Lora Turnham and Neil Fachie, John Pugh MP, Dukes Ward Councillor
Dawson, Masterchef Winner Jay Tinker and the MD of Arriva North West
where taken by blindfold trip on an Arriva bus, enjoying a meal at
Tinkers Restaurant, on Lord Street, and then will experience a walk
with a long cane and with a guide dog.
Guide Dogs Liverpool Mobility Team Manager said:- “At Guide
Dogs we are committed to ensuring that all that blind and partially
sighted people can enjoy the same freedom of movement as everybody
else. But the reality is that they have to overcome extraordinary
challenges everyday to do the things that the rest of us take for
granted. By coming along to our dinner in the dark event, our guests
will be able to step into the world of blind and partially sighted,
we're sure it will open their eyes.”
There are hundreds of other ways that people can take part in Guide
Dogs Week 2012 and help raise money for Guide Dogs. Challenges don't
have to be complicated. People could get a group of friends together
and have a coffee morning, organise a karaoke party and sing in
blindfold, or organise a pub quiz with sensory rounds that people do
in blindfold.
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