ACCESSIBILITY ACTION PLAN Delivering a transport system which meets the needs of all Aucklanders Version 2: 202 - 2023 < Contents Contents > Overview . 4 Purpose . 6 Accessibility versus Disability . 6 Why does Auckland Transport need an Accessibility Action Plan? . .8 . Objectives . 10 Context . .12 Policy Overview . 14. Auckland Transport Disability policy (2013) . 15 What does Accessibility Look Like? . 15. Action Plan . 18 Actions completed . 20 2021-23 Plan . 23 Auckland Transport internal adoption – making accessibility happen . .25 . Next Steps . 26 Where will we be in three years? . .29 . Appendix 1 - Detailed Policy Context United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) NZ Human Rights Act (1993) NZ Disability Strategy 2016-2026 NZ Disability Strategy – Action Plan (2019) Chief Executives’ Group on Disability Issues (2016) Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2018 Appendix 2 – Auckland Transport Disability Policy (2013) 2 | Auckland Transport Accessibility Action Plan 2021 - 2023 Auckland Transport Accessibility Action Plan 2021 - 2023 | 3 < Contents Contents > OVERVIEW 4 | Auckland Transport Accessibility Action Plan 2021 - 2023 Auckland Transport Accessibility Action Plan 2021 - 2023 | 5 < Contents Contents > Purpose It is important to note that while we generally Being accessible means that, as far as can The purpose of this document is to mandate talk about people with disabilities as needing reasonably be accommodated, Auckland the actions that Auckland Transport will accessible transport, there are also people Transport ensures that transport facilities, undertake over the next three years to improve whose mobility is impaired, often temporarily, vehicles, information and services are easy to accessibility. This document is an outcome of but who do not fit within a medical definition find out about, to understand, to reach, and to the Auckland Transport Disability Policy (2013), of disability. Given this, we must ensure that use, for people with accessibility requirements Auckland Council’s Disability Operational Action our planning for services, information and and therefore for everyone, as part of their Plan (which mandated the formation of this infrastructure, benefits everyone including day-to-day lives. Plan) and the Auckland Plan 2050 (2018), which those with accessibility requirements, Accessibility, in short, means that anyone, has made accessible services and infrastructure (whether they have single or multiple needs). regardless of age or ability, can go safely from a key focus area for the City. This will be a Therefore, Auckland Transport will pursue a A to B without inconvenience or barriers, ‘living’ plan that will be updated regularly to focus on ‘accessibility’. and with dignity1. reflect the successful completion of the actions outlined here, and to add new actions over time. A more accurate and inclusive view focuses Accessibility versus Disability1 on outside factors - the barriers that make the The traditional (medical) view of disability world inaccessible for someone who has such focuses on a physical or intellectual impairment an impairment. The barriers may be physical, as the cause for inequality, such as the such as inaccessible vehicles and infrastructure, examples below. or social, such as lack of information or people’s attitudes. Auckland Transport can make a significant difference by removing or addressing physical barriers to travel and by ensuring that information is accessible. People with luggage Pregnant women Elderly people People with a hearing impairment People with a vision impairment People with a mobility impairment People with prams/ strollers or small children on foot People with an injury or illness 1 The illustrations in this section are sourced from the Auckland Design Manual's Universal Design Hub, developed in collaboration with 1 The Auckland Design Manual includes design personas to assist designers to deliver accessible and inclusive places for people with Auckland Council’s Universal Design Forum. accessibility requirements. 6 | Auckland Transport Accessibility Action Plan 2021 - 2023 Auckland Transport Accessibility Action Plan 2021 - 2023 | 7 < Contents Contents > Improving accessibility will enable everyone to Why does Auckland Transport need an The New Zealand Transport Agency is –Contracting services for heavy rail participate in the community and to be part of Accessibility Action Plan? responsible for state highways, but Auckland –Contracting services for ferries their world. Transport is responsible for local roads and for Auckland Transport’s statutory purpose is to –Contracting services in Auckland for the contribute to an effective, efficient and safe Auckland’s transport system and its enabling "The accessible journey is critical because it national Total Mobility Scheme Auckland transport system in the public interest. components across the Auckland local dictates whether disabled people are able –Customer information, including Inherent in this is the need to provide a transport government area. This includes: to access other fundamental rights, such wayfinding, customer contact calls and system which caters to all members of our • Public transport: as the ability to work, obtain an education, digital displays community and delivers towards Vision Zero - participate in the community and socialise. –Planning the public transport service to eliminate transport deaths and serious injuries. –Public transport ticketing and revenue Without a transport system that is not only network collection and protection accessible, but also available, affordable Auckland Transport is a Council Controlled –Contracting services for buses and acceptable to them, disabled people are Organisation. We manage and control the prevented from living a full and inclusive life, Auckland land transport system on Auckland 1 in contravention of their human rights." Council’s behalf. Auckland Council provides funding and other funding comes from central government WHEN WE PLAN through the New Zealand Transport Agency. FOR ACCESSIBILITY, 1 THE ACCESSIBLE JOURNEY: Report of the Inquiry into Accessible Public Land Transport, Human Rights Commission, September 2005 WE PLAN FOR EVERYONE Figure 1: Auckland Transport’s sphere of action Broccoli Pl No exit Elam m Wellesley St East m 8 | Auckland Transport Accessibility Action Plan 2021 - 2023 Auckland Transport Accessibility Action Plan 2021 - 2023 | 9 < Contents Contents > –Providing concession fares for responsibility to ensure that our services and target groups facilities meet the diverse needs of Aucklanders –Managing the Total Mobility scheme and that any barriers to access and participation are eliminated or minimised. –Infrastructure planning, delivery and maintenance Objectives –Service planning, delivery and This Plan focuses primarily on actions to performance monitoring improve accessibility for customers but also –Investigating and testing new approaches includes actions for Auckland Transport for service provision such as first and internally to increase staff awareness of last leg connections, new technology, accessibility. alternative service providers • Auckland Transport products and services –managing planned and (e.g. public transport services, AT HOP, unplanned disruptions information, and transport infrastructure) are • Active transport: accessible, safe and convenient for everyone –Footpath and cycle lane / path planning, to use and to understand. design, delivery and maintenance • Auckland Transport ensures that consultation –Cycle parking reaches interested groups and communities –Improved crossing facilities and ensures people with accessibility needs and, in particular, disabled people, are heard –Travel demand management programmes and that their access needs are noted and • Roads and parking: provided for in planning and projects. –Local roads delivery, monitoring • Auckland Transport provides a diverse, • Show leadership to suppliers and external • Communications to customers about and maintenance supportive and inclusive workplace. partners on accessibility and universal design Auckland Transport activities are improved –Public car parking provision, including The Plan includes actions that will: principles. • Multi-channel (including digital) customer mobility parking, monitoring and By 2029, there are several key things that we information is provided, including leveraging enforcement (on street and off-street) • Help enable everyone to use transport wish to see as the ‘business as usual’ standard / utilising accessibility technology services and facilities to travel safely with – Road marking, road space allocation, street around accessibility, including: • Information signs are in accessible formats ease and dignity across Auckland lighting, and road signage delivery and and audio options are widely available • New transport infrastructure will be maintenance • Reduce transport disadvantage and accessible • New facilities and services will be designed –Road safety design and delivery of discrimination across all aspects of the and constructed from concept to completion • All transport vehicles will be accessible, with safety programmes. operation of the public transport system, to ensure accessibility services and infrastructure wheelchair space, audio announcements and • Existing infrastructure being maintained In short, Auckland Transport operates the next stop displays • Provide customer support and ensure that as effectively as possible to improve customer