RailCorp Accused Of Disabled Discrimination
10 August 2012 at 11:56 am
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Outside the Federal Court, Graeme Innes (left) with PIAC senior solicitor Anne Mainsbridge and PIAC chief executive Edward Santow. Photo: PIAC. |
Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes AM, is taking the NSW state-owned public transport operator RailCorp to the Federal Magistrates Court over discrimination for disabled passengers.
Innes, who is blind, has made complaints to RailCorp about its failure to provide audible announcements on trains.
According to Innes, these announcements are crucial because they allow passengers with vision impairment to know they are getting off at the right station.
“All I’m seeking is for RailCorp to do what they do for everyone who is able to read print. That is, tell me where I am,” he said.
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) is representing Innes. PIAC claims RailCorp’s failure to provide audible announcements is in in breach of federal disability discrimination law.
“Our main goal is to have RailCorp comply with its obligations under the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002,” said PIAC chief executive, Edward Santow.
“Every citizen is entitled to use public transport services without discrimination,” Santow said.
The Federal Magistrates Court will consider the matter at hearings commencing this week.
“Public transport that is inaccessible lets down far too many public transport users around Victoria,” accessibility campaigner, James Carter said at the Melbourne protest.
“In parts of regional Victoria the transport is rudimentary at best and discriminatory at its worst and has a significant impact on the choices people can make.”
