Transport for all By Irina Papancheva Policy Officer

The right to transport Transport is essential for integration and participation in economic and social life Non-accessibility is discriminatory – UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities Some adaptations are necessary so transport is accessible for all

UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities In force since May 2008, ratified by Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia and Sweden, currently ratification discussed by the European Community Article 9 - Accessibility - roads and transportation must be accessible - States Parties shall “develop, promulgate and monitor the implementation of minimum standards and guidelines for the accessibility of facilities and services open or provided to the public” - States Parties shall “provide training for stakeholders on accessibility issues facing persons with disabilities” More information:

EDF main demands 1 Mainstream solutions better than specialised ones – but some ‘door to door’ services will always be necessary “Design for all” is the way forward Accessibility means more than physical accessibility (information, assistance, training of personnel, safety…)

Legislation is necessary but detailed standards are also needed No gaps in travel chain Permanent solutions Accessible complaints No fare discrimination Involvement of DPOs EDF main demands 2

Current situation in the EU Contribution to EU legislation and standards - most recent developments: - Regulation on the rights of passengers travelling by air – in force since Regulation on the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/ plenary vote on 23 April Regulation on the rights of passengers when traveling by sea and inland waterway - plenary vote on 23 April Regulation on rail passengers’ rights and obligations – Chapter 5 deales with disabled passengers - to enter into force in January 2010

Regulation 1371/2007: Requirements Regulation 1371/2007: Requirements Non-discrimination access rules, established with the active involvement of representative organisations of persons with disabilities Accompanying person may be required only when it is “strictly necessary” Information on the accessibility of the rail services and facilities on board Accompanying person may be required only when it is “strictly necessary” Accessibility of station, rolling stock and other facilities Free of charge assistance at stations – 48 hour notification and appearance at last 60 min before the departure Compensation for lost or damaged mobility equipment without financial limit

8 Accessible transport requires: Seamless transport chain Consultation with disabled users and representative disability organisations Investment Accessibility standards - the EU legislation does not contain standards but requirement - standards are developed on the basis of these requirements - more information via the National Standartisations Bodies and at the European Comittee for Standartization website >> Equal access to transport

Stakeholders at EU level Stakeholders at EU level Community of European Railways (CER) customer liaison working group – twice a year to discuss: - the implementation of the regulation, - the TSI PRMs - more general passenger rights instruments - EDF is represented at the meetings Results of cooperation with EDF: UIC (Union Internationale du Chemin de fer) internal working group on passengers with reduced mobility - implementation of the regulation - EDF is represented at the meetings CEN/TC 256 WG 44 – from standards as a complement/tool for implementation for TSI PRM

Two regulations on passenger rights Two regulations on passenger rights Regulation on the rights of passengers when travelling by bus and coach – adopted by the European Parlaiment, currently at Council of Ministers Rights of passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterway - rights of passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterway Biggest danger – narrowing the scope to international journeys

EDF contribution Work with members (providing toolkits, organising trainings etc etc ) to learn about legislation and empower the disability movement to work at local and national levels to achieve best possible practice Consumer involvement in various fora – European Civil Aviation Conference, International Railway’s Union, International Road Transport Union etc. Key partner in the Mediate project overall objective: to contribute to the development of inclusive urban transport system with better access for all citizens methods: development of indicators describing accessibility, data collection and analysis, self-assessment tool for measuring accessibility, dissemination and exploitation partners: 20 European cities, 5-6 European experts, 10 organisations of people with disabilities

Cooperation between EMTA and EDF Involving actively the EDF members when preparing policies, legislation and standards Mutual projects between the EMTA members and the EDF members Having EDF output at EMTA events

Thank you for your attention!