International legislation relating to disabled people and transport

Argentina

Law No. 24314 provides public facilities for the disabled to give them as much autonomy, self-sufficiency and safety as possible in transportation. Transportation services must observe several standards including: Public transportation vehicles must have two reserved seats that are appropriately marked and close to the exit doors.

Australia

The Disability Discrimination Act of 1992 covers services relating to transport or travel.

The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport were introduced in 2002 to establish minimum accessibility requirements to be met by providers and operators of public transport conveyances, infrastructure and premises. These Standards are accompanied by the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport Guidelines 2004.

Brazil

The Federal Constitution of 1988 mandates the creation of accessibility standards for public buildings, facilities and transportation.

Canada

The Canada Transportation Act (1996) does not specifically define disability. The Act does, however, address accessibility and obstacles. Part V "Transportation of Persons with Disabilities" declares that "a safe, economic, efficient and adequate network of viable and effective transportation services accessible to persons with disabilities" is essential in Canada. One of the Act's objectives is that the transportation system, "as far as is practicable," should not present "an undue obstacle to the mobility of persons, including persons with disabilities."

China

The right to mobility (transportation) is covered in Article 38 on Cultural life of The Law on the Protection of Disabled Persons 1990.

European Union (EU)

In 1993, the European Commission adopted a Community Action Program for Accessible Transport. The document introduced a number of measures in order to improve accessibility of transportation means.

The EU has adopted legislative measures in the following fields: vehicles - buses and coaches (Directive 85/EC, 2001), maritime transport (for example, Directive 99/35/EC195), lifts and parking cards for people with disabilities.

Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 will provide disabled people using air services new protection on all flights within or between European States.

France

Law 75-534 of 1975 provides that public transport must be progressively adapted to the needs of people with disabilities by way of regulation. In addition, Law 82-1153 of 1982 on urban transport reform states that special measures must be taken to accommodate the special needs of people with limited mobility.

Germany

In the realm of transportation, numerous laws were amended to ensure the removal of barriers and the granting of full access to people with disabilities. Among these laws are the Act on Federal Highways, the Act on Public Transportation, the Act on the Construction and Operation of Railroads, the Act on the Construction and Operation of Streetcars, the Act on Civil Aviation, and the Act on the Financing of the Local Communities, and the Act on Housing Subsidies. Most of these amendments took the form of requiring barrier-free access to people with disabilities.

India

The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection Of Rights And Full Participation) Act of 1995 includes stipulations to encourage accessibility of new and existing public transportation.

Ireland

The Sectoral Plan for Accessible Transport under the Disability Act 2005 covers accessibility matters relating to bus, rail, light rail, rural transport services, taxi and hackney services, air and marine travel as well as parking facilities for motorists with disabilities.

Italy

Freedom of movement by public transportation must be guaranteed to people with disabilities with the same conditions applicable to anyone. The regional government authorities predispose mobility plans in co-ordination with municipalities. The latter, within their budget resources, ensure individual transportation services for those who are unable to use public transportation. Disabled individuals capable of driving a car modified for their needs may obtain from the Local Health Units a contribution equal to 20 percent of the expenses necessary for the modifications and a reduction of the tax rate on the purchase of their car. Special spaces are reserved in public and private parking facilities.

Japan

The Law for Promotion of Accessibility for the Use of Public Transportation of Elderly Persons and Persons with Physical Disabilities 2000, also known as the “Barrier-free Transportation Law,” stipulates that all newly built transportation facilities and all newly purchased vehicles should meet accessibility standards.

Mexico

Mexico has enacted legislation to ensure that transportation services are accessible for people with disabilities for example: bus terminals must level off pavements and install accessible toilets for the disabled and airports are required to make all their facilities accessible to the disabled.

Poland

The Charter of Rights of Disabled People lists rights of disabled people and includes such rights as life in an environment free of functional barriers which include: free movement and access to transportation means.

Russia

Federal Law No. 181 of November 24 1995, on Social Protection of People With Disabilities, focuses on protecting the rights of disabled people in several major areas including decrease of restrictions related to traveling and transportation.

USA

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Title: II Part B covers Public Transportation. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) develops guidelines for accessibility under the ADA. In 1998, the Access board published the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) for Transportation Vehicles and in 2002, they published the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) for new construction and alterations in places of public accommodation and commercial facilities. Section 10 covers transportation facilities.

Transportation for people with disabilities has been addressed in regard to mass transit (Urban Mass Transportation Act Amendments of 1970).

The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 allowed the Highway Program to provide curb cuts and other features for the safety of people with physical disabilities and to provide accessible rest stops.

The Amtrak Improvement Act of 1973 ensures elderly and disabled people are not denied intercity transportation on Amtrak.

The Air Carriers Access Act prohibits discrimination by air carriers and gives enforcement authority to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Intermodel Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 increased funds for facilities to meet transportation accessibility needs of people who are disabled.