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24 Jun 2008 03:27 PM
DPTAC launches Disability Training Framework for transport staff

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT News Release (002) issued by The Government News Network on 24 June 2008

Issued on behalf of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC)

Lord Bassam of Brighton, the House of Lords Spokesperson on transport, will deliver the Key Note speech to launch DPTAC's Disability Equality and Awareness Training Framework for Transport Staff on 25th June to delegates from the transport industry and disability organisations.

The training framework is a free resource and has been designed for use across all modes of transport.

Despite improvements to the accessibility of transport infrastructure, disabled travellers continue to face daily obstacles. A key element is poor or inadequate disability awareness training, and transport staff are often unable to give disabled travellers the support they would like to provide.

DPTAC commissioned the Centre for Employment & Disadvantage Studies to carry out research with disabled people and the transport industry in order to identify the key issues to address in disability equality and awareness training.

Carol Thomas, Chair of DPTAC's Education and Training Working Group says "We have developed a training framework that will help identify the needs of disabled passengers and the training staff require to assist them properly. In essence, it focuses on good customer care for disabled people. Just as improving accessibility for disabled people improves accessibility for all; our framework should help transport providers deliver a better service to all passengers."

From Thursday 26th June, copies of the revised specification will be available free of charge from the DPTAC website http://www.dptac.gov.uk/

Notes to Editors

1. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) was set up under the Transport Act of 1985 to advise Government on the transport needs of all disabled people. It has a maximum of 20 members (of whom at least half must be disabled people), representing a wide range of transport interests. Members are appointed by Ministers and are unpaid, apart from the reimbursement of expenses.

2. DPTAC commissioned the Centre for Employment & Disadvantage Studies to produce the training framework.

3. The conference is being held on the 25th June at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Regents Wharf, 8 All Saints St, N1 9RL.

4. For further information, contact

Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
Zone 2/23
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DR

Direct Line: 020 7944 3238
Fax: 020 7944 6998
Minicom: 020 7944 3277
GTN Code: 3533

e-mail: dptac@dtlr.gov.uk
Website: http://www.dptac.gov.uk