Disability Discrimination Act 1995: covering letter

Mobility and Inclusion Unit
Department for Transport
Room 1/18
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
LONDON
SW1P 4DR

Telephone 020 7944 8021
Minicom 020 7944 3277
Fax: 020 7944 6102
Email: miu@dft.gsi.gov.uk

29 November 2002

Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA)

Consultation on the removal of the Part III exemption for providers of transport services

This letter invites your comments on the Government's proposals for lifting the exemption in Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 for public transport and certain other transport related services. The proposals are set out in detail in the consultation paper.

Background

The removal of this exemption was one of the recommendations of the Disability Rights Task Force (DRTF) in their report to Government, "From Exclusion to Inclusion". The Government has already accepted the DRTF's transport recommendations. This consultation fulfils the first part of the commitment to consult on taking forward those recommendations that require changes to primary legislation, ie:

• the removal of the exemption from the provisions of Part III of the DDA for providers of transport services; and
• the introduction of regulations to introduce an end date by which all rail vehicles must comply with the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 and regulations covering the refurbishment of rail vehicles.

This consultation paper covers the first of those two recommendations. We are taking them forward separately since they cover rather different ground and the latter has a more specific target audience in the rail industry and disability interests. We will be consulting on that paper in the New Year.

Consultation arrangements

A list of consultees is provided as an Annex to the consultation paper. We are inviting comments by 28 February 2003: by post to

Mobility and Inclusion Unit (Part III Consultation)
Department for Transport
1/18 Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DR

or by fax to 020 7944 6102

or by e-mail to: miu@dft.gov.uk

Copies of the paper are also available in alternative formats which can be obtained from the Mobility and Inclusion Unit at the above address or by phone on 020 7944 8021 (Minicom 020 7944 3277).

We may be asked to make public the contents of the replies we receive to this consultation document. When commenting, please let us know whether you would be content for your reply to be included in a summary if we are asked for information about comments we receive. As we are addressing this consultation specifically at representative groups could you please make a clear statement in your response about the interests of your organisation.

This consultation is in accordance with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultation. If you have any complaints or comments about the consultation process, please contact this Department's consultation co-ordinator:

Rosa Estevez,
Zone 4/12,
Great Minster House,
76 Marsham Street,
London SW1P 4DR
E-mail: rosa.estevez@dft.gsi.gov.uk.