TO: disabdis@hreoc.gov.au

 

From: Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW

            mdaa@healey.com.au

 

Re: Notice of application for temporary exemption under Disability Discrimination Act section 55 - Olympic Roads and Transport Authority

 

The Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA) is the peak body in NSW for people from a non-English speaking background (NESB) with disability and their families and carers.

MDAA does not support the exemption application by the Olympic Roads and Transport Authority (ORTA).

 

1.      The NSW Government knew since 1994 that they were to host the Olympics and Paralympics and it became ORTAs’ responsibility to plan for the transport side of this event. What sort of planning is it that completely neglects the needs of people with disabilities (19% of the population and a considerable number of overseas visitors and athletes during this period) until 4 months before the event? It is ORTA’s responsibility to deal with transport issues for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, What sort of planning is it that does nothing for over four years and then asks for an exception because of a crisis? What sort of planning is it which pits one group of people with disabilities (those people trying to live, go to work, shop etc) while the event is on against those people with disabilities who want to participate as spectators or athletes? Instead of planning for this event ORTAS is creating a transport crisis for people with disabilities in Dubbo, Rockhampton, etc. Why is it that people with disabilities are asked to pay the price for the failing of ORTA to plan for this event?

 

2.      ORTA’s Disability Action Plan (March 2000) should have been developed years ago with the aim to provide enough accessible buses with no buses  being withdrawn from elsewhere to ensure that.

What has ORTA done for the last four years?

 

3.      We understand that the notion of granting an exemption in the Act is linked to moves which increase compliance. There is nothing that we can see which demonstrates increased compliance. If HREOC grants this exemption, it will send a strong signal that negligence, lack of planning and complete disregard for people with disabilities is a viable method to obtain an exemption and non-compliance. Granting this exemption does nothing to move towards compliance.

 

MDAA would participate in a consultation process about this exemption if the following issues were to be addresses:

§         Immediately retrofitting of all current low floor buses,

§         Immediately making available all accessible buses (including those currently no in service)

§         Immediately developing viable alternatives during the 9 week period,

§         Immediate NSW Government commitment to the Draft Transport Standards starting now with an speedy implementation timetable

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Barbel Winter

Executive Director