Appendix 2
European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT)

ECMT Access and Inclusion Objectives

• Achieve greater understanding and recognition of the transport and mobility needs of disabled and older people as an integral part of transport policy and planning across all modes.
• Identify key social, structural, operational and financial issues affecting the mobility of disabled and older people as well as individuals facing temporary mobility difficulties (e.g. use of public transport, private vehicle use, pedestrian activity) and exchange experience and promote best practice in these areas.

The ECMT has produced many reports and recommendations which provide guidance on achieving barrier-free travel, among them a Charter on Access to Transport Services and Infrastructure (see below) and a Guide to Good Practice on Improving Transport for People with Mobility Handicaps. Political support for this work has been given through the adoption of several formal resolutions by the Council of Ministers. Many of these recommendations have been incorporated in this Plan.

Recent ECMT Reports

• "Improving Access to Public Transport - Guidelines for Transport Personnel"
  Recently, the ECMT has published a set of guidelines intended to be a good practice guide for staff employed in the passenger transport industry - rail, road, air and maritime. The approach taken in the guidelines is based on the so-called "social model of disability" that recognizes that people are not disabled by their impairments alone but by the environment and society in which they live. The guidance for transport personnel is written with frontline members of staff foremost in mind, though they are valid as well for all staff and management. They provide a practical approach to providing good customer care.
• Updated Guide to Good Practice on Travel for Disabled and Older People
  An update of the ECMT's 1999 publication "Improving Transport for People with Mobility Handicaps: A Guide to Good Practice" was presented to Transport Ministers at the ECMT Dublin Council in May 2006. The new Guide "Improving Transport Accessibility for All" is intended to show how barriers to movement and the use of public and private transport can be removed. It is meant to provide guidance for anyone who is concerned with transport whether as a designer, planner or operator, to give good advice and some details of the more important aspects of accessible transport infrastructure, vehicles and information, and to provide a list of sources where more detailed and specific information can be found.

  Areas covered in the Guide include access to travel information, the road and pedestrian environment, transport infrastructure, vehicles, new/innovative transport services, and the role of the Government. The guide has been taken into account in preparing this Plan.

• Cognitive, Learning and Mental Disabilities
  For the first time, the ECMT is carrying out an examination of "Cognitive, Learning and Mental Disabilities in Transport".

  The study will attempt to better understand how the needs of individuals with these disabilities are (or are not) addressed in transport planning and practice, in transport policy, in the institutional, regulatory and legal framework, and in research. Ireland is participating in this work in the framework of the Working Group.

• Improving Access to Taxis
  A major study was launched by the ECMT in June 2005 in co-operation with the International Road Transport Union (IRU) on "Improving Access to Taxis". This work follows up the joint report published by the ECMT and IRU in 2001 on Economic Aspects of Taxi Accessibility.

  A joint task force comprised of representatives of governments, regulators and the taxi industry is overseeing the work, an important part of which will involve dialogue with automobile manufacturers on vehicle design. The Commissioner for Taxi Regulation participates in the work of this Task Force.

1. The number of disabled people is growing

Disabled people make up a significant and growing part of Europe's population. With the ageing population, this number will increase substantially over the next 50 years. By 2020, there will be twice as many people over 65 in Europe as there were in 1960.

2. Everyone must have an opportunity for independent living

It is an unequivocal and agreed political objective to create a Europe in which all citizens, regardless of disability or age, have the opportunity for independent living. To achieve this, public buildings, the transport systems and infrastructure must be barrier-free.

3. New infrastructure must take account of the needs of people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments.

There are many new transport and infrastructure projects being planned or constructed in Europe. The lifetime of transport equipment and infrastructure can be extremely long and projects being considered now will remain in service well into the next millennium. It is therefore essential that these are built to meet the needs of disabled people. In any case, improvements in accessibility add to the system's quality and usually benefit all travellers.

4. Governments must ensure access

All governments have a clear responsibility to ensure that these projects are designed and constructed to the highest standards of accessibility.

5. Accessibility principles must be followed

Fundamental principles applying to any project must include:

1. All projects considered for public funding (at national or international level) must, as a condition of this funding, agree to incorporate full accessibility, to approved standards or recognised best practice, into the design and construction.
2. The design concept, from its earliest stage and throughout the design process, must be vetted and approved by experts in accessibility, including people with disabilities. National governments will propose and approve suitable sources of advice. Where national governments do not have sources of advice, the EU or the ECMT will provide them.
3. The accessibility requirements must incorporate, as a minimum:
   • full access for wheelchair users (up to and including those using wheelchairs of ISO standard dimensions) including, where appropriate, accessible toilet facilities and lifts;
   • features to aid people with difficulties in walking, gripping, reaching or balancing (including non-slip surfaces, hand rails and handholds);
   • facilities to assist blind and partially sighted people (including consistent use is colour contrast, clear signing and lighting, non reflective-surfaces, audible as well as visual announcements and tactile and audible guidance and warning surfaces and systems (where appropriate);
   • facilities for people who are deaf or hard of hearing (including visual as well as audible announcements, induction loops and clear signs).

6. Public funding will be conditional

Projects will be monitored for compliance with accessibility principles. Continued public funding will be made conditional on achieving satisfactory progress with the inclusion of access features.

The ECMT's web site can be accessed at www.cemt.org