Public transport is a vital part of everyday life for people who are blind or have low vision, which is why Vision Australia is committed to improving accessibility and the travel experience for people with vision loss.
We’re currently advocating for several improvements to taxis and all Commercial Passenger Vehicles (CPV) in order for people who are blind or have low vision to have a travel experience that is more in line with their sighted peers.
Vision Australia recently made a submission to Victoria’s Proposed Regulations to the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Bill 2017, which focused mainly on accessibility issues.
“Driving isn’t an option for people who are blind or have low vision. Therefore our community rely on taxis and all forms of public transport to remain independent,” Vision Australia Policy Advisor Kate Begley says.
“Yet the experience for customers with vision loss could be improved especially when we compare the experience to their peers,” she says.
Key points of Vision Australia’s submission included:
- Vehicle booking services via apps and desktop must meet accessibility guidelines.
- Vehicle and driver identification must be available in accessible formats and in consistent spots on CPV.
- Introduce audio announced fares at the end of a trip, like what’s offered in Queensland, ensuring our community know exactly what they have paid for, removing any concerns of paying an inflated price.
- Drivers must accept assistance dogs in accordance with the law. If refused, drivers must incur fines
- All CPV, such as Uber, should be able to use taxi zones to drop passengers with mobility needs off, ensuring customers who are blind or have low vision have access to closest and safest drop off points.
“We also highlighted that it’s common for parents who are blind or have low vision to rely on CPV but in Victoria, child restraints are unavailable in CPV,” Kate says.
“Children of parents who are blind or have low vision should have the same rights to safe point to point transport like other parents. We do not accept that the solution is to be relegated to buses, trains or trams with our children.”
If you've faced issues accessing public transport, our Stand Up for Your Rights self-advocacy guides may be of assistance.
For other assistance around public transport or other issues, get in touch with Vision Australia today on 1300 84 74 66 or via [email protected].