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Moving or travelling around can be particularly difficult
for disabled people. We want to make sure that everyone can use the
footpaths and roads in Kent.
We do this by trying to understand disabled people's needs, and
taking account of these in all new plans. We aim to create a place
where everyone can get about easily.
Does the Disability Discrimination Act say what rights disabled
people have?
The Disability Discrimination Acts (DDA) 1995 and 2005 give
disabled people rights to do with employment, accessing goods,
facilities and services, and buying or renting land or
property.
Part 3 of the 2005 Act gives disabled people a right to access
goods, facilities, services and buildings. It is based on the idea
that people who offer services should not discriminate against
disabled people.
What kind of thing has to be done?
Sometimes there can be physical features that make it
impossible, or unreasonably difficult, for disabled people to use a
service or a facility. If so, whoever provides the service or
facility must do whatever they can to make it available to
everyone.
This may be done by:
- removing the feature which is causing the problem
- changing it so that it no longer prevents access
- providing a way for people to avoid it
- providing another way for disabled people to use the
service
What work have we done so far?
We make sure that all new services and facilities meet the needs
of disabled people, and we look at all existing services and
facilities to see if there are any problems.
Checking new services
The Department for Transport (DfT) has published a booklet
called Inclusive Mobility. This guides us on what we need to
include in new services or facilities. Read the
DfT's Inclusive Mobility information (link
opens in a new window).
We also use tactile paving surfaces. Information on these can be
found in the Department for Transport website (link opens in
new window).
Checking existing services
Over the last three years, we have concentrated on upgrading
controlled pedestrian crossings, such as zebra and pelican
crossings, to make sure disabled people can use them. We have
completed our current work, but will continue to make improvements
where necessary.
We are also looking at where there are problems with services
and facilities on the roads and pathways. We are doing this with
the help of a group of disabled people, who can suggest areas of
improvement to us.
These checks will firstly be in town centres where there are
most pedestrians, so work carried out here will have the greatest
effect. This is just part of how we make the highway accessible to
everyone.
How are staff trained for this role?
Design engineers, safety auditors and highway inspectors all
take part in a full Disability Discrimination Act training
programme. A group of disabled people and experts specialising in
disability have helped make sure this training is high quality and
effective.
We have also designed interactive training. We have produced an
interactive CD-Rom to help our staff update and increase their
knowledge and awareness of disability. |