From: HACC [hacc@mds.ideal.net.au]
Sent: Tuesday, 23 May 2000 13:47
To: HREOC
Subject: Transport for People with Disabilities,
Dear HREOC,
 
I am furioius.  I do not believe the information I have recently read regarding the exemption being sought by Kendell Airlines regarding the transport of people with disabilities.
 
I thought we may have progressed from the dark ages when people with disabilities were denied freedom to move around and participate in the world around them.  We no longer use leeches in medicine, torture people or lock up anyone who may be a bit different from the majority - or maybe we do - people with disabilities will not be able to get out and about the same as everyone else, so I guess they are being locked up in a way.
 
How has Kendell Airlines transported people with disabilities in the past?????  Why is an exemption being sought now??????  Does Kendell realise that there are a lot of abled bodies people who will not use their Airline now - I am one and I will be advising anyone I speak to not to use the company either.
 
I most strongly encourage you NOT to grant this exemption.
 
As for trying to utilise accessible transport from all over the State to cater to the demand for accessible transport at Olympic time,  I cannot believe that when we have been planning for this event for,it seems like years, something as basic as accessible transport has not been considered.  I am glad in a way that the disaster has now hit the fan as maybe the powers that be will realise that we should be upgrading all our public transport to ensure it is accessible.  Other States can do it - why can't we??? Maybe its because the people sitting around tables don't ever have to use public transport, don't know anyone with a disability or and elderly person.
 
Come on, we thought we had come so far with the Disability Standards, The Disability Discrimination Act, The Accessible Transport Standards and a heap of other reports, reviews, standards etc etc - what do these documents mean - has anyone read them or do they just gather dust on a shelf in a perfect world called Camelot.
 
I have worked in the Aged and Disability Sector for 11 years and it is so disappointing to realise that issues concerning all members of our community are not considered when planning something as terrific as the Olympics.
 
Yours sadly,
Linda Margrie
Macarthur HACC Development Worker