From: Diane Campbell
[ops@northcott.org.au]
Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2000
10:04
To: HREOC
Subject: ORTA Application for Exemption
The Northcott Society as a disability services
provider in NSW does not support ORTA's exemption application.
Lack of suitable public transport is perhaps the
most significant barrier to people with physical disabilities in NSW, who wish
to access community facilities, services and employment. This is still so
in 2000, despite continuing attempts by the disability sector to voice their
concerns regarding the lack of accessible transport. Most people with physical
disabilities who need public transport, are generally forced to use accessible
taxis, which are expensive and largely unreliable due to inadequate
numbers.
The NSW government did not see the Olympic and
Paralympic Games as an incentive to address these transport issues over the last
few years, and has done considerably less than other state governments in
developing accessible forms of public transport. It is unacceptable for
ORTA to solve the crisis in NSW by creating problems in other states and
unnecessarily disadvantaging people with disabilities who are resident in those
states.
Lack of appropriate action over the last four
years is not an acceptable reason for granting an exemption from the DDA. Any
exemption would send a very poor message to international visitors about
Australia's commitment to an inclusive society, and does little to address the
day to day difficulties currently experienced by people with physical
disabilities living in NSW. It is important that the DDA and the
government are seen to uphold people's rights rather than using the DDA as an
instrument for circumventing government responsibilities to all its
citizens.
Diane Campbell
Chief Executive, Operations
The Northcott Society