Transdev Queensland Disability Action Plan 2019 SUMMARY Transdev Queensland is an operator of bus services in South East Queensland and is committed to promoting the independence and dignity of all passengers on board our services. This document is a contractually obligated commitment to detail the processes that Transdev Queensland employ to ensure compliance with the: Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Queensland Ant-Discrimination Act 1991 Commonwealth Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 These processes can be divided into three categories: Customer Service Physical Accessibility of Vehicles Company Procedures This analysis has revealed that Transdev is compliant on all regulatory requirements. However, this does not satisfy our intention to eliminate discrimination on our services and as such we are committed to continually improving the processes outlined in this document. This includes developing a disability-specific Operating Procedure, developing relationships with key community advocacy groups and actively seeking input from people with disabilities to improve our services. The physical and social accessibility of our services to people with disabilities is a critical priority for this company. Discrimination is not tolerated on our services and Transdev welcomes any feedback regarding this to Translink or directly to our offices using our company website. Document Control Version Approved By Date 1.0 Managing Director, Transdev Queensland August 2018 2.0 Head of Business Operations, Transdev October Queensland 2019 Review Cadence: Every three years, or as required Next date for review: October 2022 1 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 OVERVIEW Introduction Transdev Queensland recognises the vitality of public transport in supporting those who have a disability by providing independence, mobility and the ability to genuinely participate in community life. Transdev Queensland, therefore, strives to eliminate physical and social barriers that people with disabilities may face when using public transport. This is the contractual, legal and moral responsibility of this company. Transdev Queensland services bus routes across: Redlands City bus routes Routes to Brisbane and Brisbane CBD Routes to Logan Hyperdome It is Transdev Queensland’s aim to enhance the customer experience for all customers that travel with us, but with special consideration of the needs of customers with disabilities. Purpose This Disability Action Plan will illustrate how this company seeks to assist people with a disability to participate in community life by improving the accessibility of our network in compliance with Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002, and Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 as well as and contractual obligations with the Client, State of Queensland through the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Relevant Legislation and Requirements I. Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Queensland) a) The purpose of this Act is to promote equality of opportunity for everyone by protecting them from unfair discrimination in certain areas of activity, including work, education and accommodation. II. Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth) The objects of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 is a. to eliminate, as far as possible, discrimination against persons on the ground of disability in the areas of: (i) work, accommodation, education, access to premises, clubs and sport; and (ii) the provision of goods, facilities, services and land… 2 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 b. to ensure, as far as practicable, that persons with disabilities have the same rights to equality before the law as the rest of the community; and c. to promote recognition and acceptance within the community of the principle that persons with disabilities have the same fundamental rights as the rest of the community. III. The Disability Standard for Accessible Public Transport Guidelines 2002 a. The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 seeks to eliminate discrimination, ‘as far as possible’, against people with disabilities. Public transport is a service covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. b. The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 set out minimum requirements for public transport operators, with a twenty-year timetable for compliance. c. This means that all public transport coach and bus services are to comply fully with the relevant Standards by 31 December 2022. IV. The Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 The objects of this act are to: a. Protect the right of people with a disability who rely on guide, hearing or assistance dogs to be accompanied by the person’s guide, hearing or assistance dog in places of accommodation and particular public places and public passenger vehicles; and b. provide a simple and consistent means of identifying properly trained guide, hearing and assistance dogs… V. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2007 a. reaffirms the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and the need for persons with disabilities to be guaranteed their full enjoyment without discrimination These legislative requirements ensure discrimination against persons with disabilities is illegal in the state of Queensland, and under Australian and International law. Definitions Transdev Queensland acknowledges disability and discrimination as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and discrimination in the provision of goods or services as defined in Anti-Discrimination Act 1991. I. Disability: 3 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 disability, in relation to a person, means: a. total or partial loss of the person’s bodily or mental functions; or b. total or partial loss of a part of the body; or c. the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness; or d. the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness; or e. the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person’s body; or f. a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction; or g. a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person’s thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgment or that results in disturbed behaviour; and includes a disability that: h. presently exists; or i. previously existed but no longer exists; or j. may exist in the future (including because of a genetic predisposition to that disability); or k. is imputed to a person. To avoid doubt, a disability that is otherwise covered by this definition includes behaviour that is a symptom or manifestation of the disability. II. Discrimination: A person (the discriminator) discriminates against another person (the aggrieved person) on the ground of a disability of the aggrieved person if, because of the disability, the discriminator treats, or proposes to treat, the aggrieved person less favourably than the discriminator would treat a person without the disability in circumstances that are not materially different. III. Discrimination in the provision of goods and services goods and services (1) A person who supplies goods or services (whether or not for reward or profit) must not discriminate against another person— a. by failing to supply the goods or services; or b. in the terms on which goods or services are supplied; or c. in the way in which goods or services are supplied; or d. by treating the other person unfavourably in any way in connection with the supply of goods and services. 4 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 DISABILITY ACTION PLAN The processes and procedures described below align in purpose with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth) which seeks, “to promote recognition and acceptance within the community of the principle that persons with disabilities have the same fundamental rights as the rest of the community.” Through embodying these principles in our internal and external procedures, Transdev Queensland intends to emphasise the importance of social inclusion, independence and dignity of all people with disabilities. These processes and procedures has been divided into three categories: Customer Service Physical Accessibility of Vehicles Company Procedures Customer Service Responsible persons include: Head of Business, Operational Excellence Officer, Customer & Communication Business Partner, Customer Experience team. Identified Action/ Proposed Timeframe Evaluation issue/need Action Methods Employees need to 1. Training module, 1. Already in Feedback be equipped with ‘Transporting place and forms from skills and Passengers with ongoing bus operators knowledge to Disabilities’ Complaint and appropriately included in suggestion address and assist induction training. monitoring people with Training from bus disabilities. incorporates operators and resources from the members of Australian Network 2. From 2020 the public on Disability (AND). Compliance audits 2. Revised refresher training course for 3. Already existing staff, to available include new module and Guide. 3. Further specific 4. In development information pack detailing how to identify, interact and assist with 5 Transdev Queensland | Disability Action Plan – version 2.0 Identified Action/ Proposed Timeframe Evaluation issue/need Action Methods specific disabilities.