Only 40 per cent of the 307 stations on the City Rail network, which includes the Hunter Valley, South Coast, Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands, have ramps or lifts for the disabled also brought stinging responses from disability advocates.The Daily Telegraph has received dozens of complaints from disabled travellers complaining about the lack of access to rail platforms.They had all read yesterday about Lorraine Elwell and her son Hunter, 9, who discovered their local stations at Lisarow and Ourimbah did not have adequate ramps for wheelchairs.Ms Elwell then drove to Tuggerah station, where a litany of frustrations began including a lack of portable ramps to move Hunter's motorised wheelchair from platforms to the trains and a lack of wheelchair-friendly seating aboard.Federal Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes said Sydney Trains is not meeting compulsory targets for wheelchair access to stations.Under the Commonwealth's Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport Guidelines (2004), Sydney Trains was meant to have disability access at 168 stations by the end of 2012.By 2017, Sydney Trains needs to have provided wheelchair access to 245 stations.
In 2013 Mr Innes, who is blind, won a Federal Magistrates Court victory againt RailCorp when the court ruled the NSW rail system discriminates against blind and visually impaired passengers by failing to consistently tell them which station their train has reached.People With Disability Australia president Craig Wallace said disabled travellers on Sydney trains are forced to cope with ageing infrastructure and "very slow time frames" set by the federal regulations."Access issues will only worsen with more Baby Boomers retiring and leaving their cars at home, leaving the State Government exposed.," Mr Wallace said."Then there is the new National Disabilities Insurance Scheme which will see more people with disabilities going out to work and on to public transport. Some people in wheelchairs are already paying more in taxi fares to get to work than they earn in wages."All state and territory governments need to step up and support people with disabilities."Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian, who has apologised to Ms Elwell, said the government has established the $770 million Transport Access Program to improve public transport for the disabled and elderly."
So far we have begun or completed work on more than 120 projects across NSW under the program and we have made 20 extra stations accessible since coming to Government," she said.Meg, from Kanwal, on the Central Coast, said she cannot access her local station at Warnervale on her mobility scooter, so must pay a $30 taxi fare to travel to her nearest accessible station at Wyong.IS YOUR TRAIN STATION UP TO SCRATCH? TELL US BELOWStephen wrote that Unanderra station, south of Wollongong has more 200 steps to negotiate to get to the platform and no lifts or ramps. He said they were promised when Labor was in power, but the Coalition Government decided not to go ahead with the work.Lisa, from the Inner West said: "If you're disabled forget about using Redfern, Petersham, Summer Hill, Stanmore, Erskineville or St Peters stations ... no wheelchair access, all stairs, and no ramps."One reader challenged Premier Barry O'Farrell, Roads Minister Duncan Gay as well as Ms Berejiklian to "take the disabled challenge" and try to make it from one inaccessible station to another."
It'll never happen - it's too comfy in the ivory tower," "Hethah" said. Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Driver Book a taxiApps FAQs Feedback Events and OpportunitiesRanks and LocationsBecome a DriverPayin Rates Become an OperatorDocuments and FormsFAQsPayin Rates Online NewslettersJournalDocuments and FormsSubmissionsHome » What can I Hire?What can I Hire?Access Rehabilitation Equipment has a broad range of equipment and aids available for hire. The product ranges available for hire include: The hire of this equipment is subject to availability. Please note that all items are also available for purchase. For more information about hire prices, you can refer to our Hire Pricelist below or you can contact our helpful staff today! Download our Hire Pricelist here MOBILITY AIDS four wheels & handbrakes Electric Hospital Bed (Includes mattress, side rails and self-help pole if required) Alternating air (low level) Alternating air (high level)
free standing over bed pole (Commode Bowl must be purchased) low back- standard & bariatric high back – standard & bariatric Portable Rack Ends & track (2-3m) 2 Post Easytrack System (2-3m) FS Easytrack system (2-3m) Hire period commences from the day that equipment is either collected or delivered A deposit will be payable on commencement of hire, to be refunded to the client when equipment is returned to Access Rehabilitation Equipment (ARE). One week minimum hire charge applies to all small and mid size items and a two week minimum hire charge to large items. ARE accepts no responsibility for any injury caused or sustained through the use of items hired. The client is to return all equipment clean and in good working condition, other than what would be considered as normal wear and tear, any damage caused while equipment is on hire, will be charged for and deposit may be forfeited. It is also the responsibility of the hirer to return items to ARE or to telephone and request collection.
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