As previously advised by the Department of Transport in August 2021. Since the previous development plan was published there have been important policy developments which are relevant to accessible, integrated, and sustainable public transport. The Department of Transport (DoT) considers these should be reflected in the proposed Plan.
- Accessible public transport for All, and especially for Persons with Disabilities, Reduced mobility and Older People
- the “whole of Government” National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017-2022 includes specific actions assigned to local authorities. For example, action 108 relates to the ‘dishing’ of footpaths and action 109 relates to accessible infrastructure, including bus stops. Lack of dishing is often cited as a major concern for wheelchair users.
- the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) ratified by Ireland in 2018. The UNCRPD puts obligations on State Parties to ensure access for persons with disabilities to, for example, the physical environment and transportation in both urban and rural areas. The DoT welcomes the text, ‘Consciously considering population groups in the development of planning policy, strategies and frameworks with an emphasis on young people, old people and people with disabilities,’ at Amendment no. 1.71, reference Obj 3.2, page 92, Vol 1, Written Statement.
-
the DMURS Interim Advice Note – Covid-19 Pandemic Response published in 2020. It includes guidance that designers should ensure that
- measures align with the principles of universal design,
- consider Government policy on accessibility for people with disabilities and
- consult people with disabilities to further appraise measures.
- References in the draft Plan to the 2019 version of DMURS should be replaced with references to the 2020 DMURS Interim Advice Note – Covid-19 Pandemic Response.
To make public transport fully accessible to people with disabilities requires a ‘whole journey approach’. This refers to all elements that constitute a journey from the starting point to destination. Local Authorities are a key stakeholder by ensuring a universal design approach to the built environment’. This including footpaths, tactile paving, cycle paths, roads, pedestrian crossing points, town greenways and bus stops/shelters. The DoT welcomes the text at amendment no. 1.330 (Ref: 11.226, page 508 of Vol 1, written statement), ‘Mobility and visually impaired user audits e.g., Access Audit.’
As previously advised by the Department of Transport in August 2021. Since the previous development plan was published there have been important policy developments which are relevant to accessible, integrated, and sustainable public transport. The Department of Transport (DoT) considers these should be reflected in the proposed Plan.
- Accessible public transport for All, and especially for Persons with Disabilities, Reduced mobility and Older People
- the “whole of Government” National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017-2022 includes specific actions assigned to local authorities. For example, action 108 relates to the ‘dishing’ of footpaths and action 109 relates to accessible infrastructure, including bus stops. Lack of dishing is often cited as a major concern for wheelchair users.
- the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) ratified by Ireland in 2018. The UNCRPD puts obligations on State Parties to ensure access for persons with disabilities to, for example, the physical environment and transportation in both urban and rural areas. The DoT welcomes the text, ‘Consciously considering population groups in the development of planning policy, strategies and frameworks with an emphasis on young people, old people and people with disabilities,’ at Amendment no. 1.71, reference Obj 3.2, page 92, Vol 1, Written Statement.
-
the DMURS Interim Advice Note – Covid-19 Pandemic Response published in 2020. It includes guidance that designers should ensure that
- measures align with the principles of universal design,
- consider Government policy on accessibility for people with disabilities and
- consult people with disabilities to further appraise measures.
- References in the draft Plan to the 2019 version of DMURS should be replaced with references to the 2020 DMURS Interim Advice Note – Covid-19 Pandemic Response.
To make public transport fully accessible to people with disabilities requires a ‘whole journey approach’. This refers to all elements that constitute a journey from the starting point to destination. Local Authorities are a key stakeholder by ensuring a universal design approach to the built environment’. This including footpaths, tactile paving, cycle paths, roads, pedestrian crossing points, town greenways and bus stops/shelters. The DoT welcomes the text at amendment no. 1.330 (Ref: 11.226, page 508 of Vol 1, written statement), ‘Mobility and visually impaired user audits e.g., Access Audit.’