From: Sue Egan [pdca@ozemail.com.au]

Sent: Wednesday, 24 May 2000 9:34

To: HREOC

Subject: DO NOT SUPPORT EXEPTION FOR ORTA!

My name is Sam Peterson and I live in Brisbane. I also work in the

Disability Sector in employment. I do not support the application for

exemption by ORTA and wish to put forward my reasons, in addition to

those already received, which I also support wholeheartedly.

Accessible Transport is an enormous issue in the lives of people with a

disability. Lack of accessible transport has been identified since 1981,

by the United Nations, as the single most important issue that affects

the lives of those with a disability.

Transport means the difference between staying at home or living some

kind of quality of life. No-one has the right to simply take what little

transport resources there are, away from people with a disability

without some kind of consultation mechanism and something else put in

its place for the interim period. Nowhere in this debate have I seen

that offer! In other words what are people with disabilities going to

use for transport where their buses have been taken away? Surely there

isn't an expectation that everyone can afford taxis. Even with a

concession, it is very expensive to travel to and from work each day in

a taxi! The non disabled sector would not accept it, so why should

people with a disability.

I don't support the exemption. I think it is totally shameful to even

think that it is okay. I also think it is inappropriate to be doing

this at this late stage, when Australia has had years to get organised!

The whole world will be watching us later this year, and this is the way

we treat our own citizens!

Definately NO!

Sam Peterson

Brisbane