DDB 138 P & O Ferries
P&O Ferries
Limited
Channel House
P&O - Ferries
Channel View Road
Dover CTL7 9TJ
Telephone +44(0)1304 863000
Facsimile +44 (0)1304
863223
www.P0ferries.corn
Lord Carter
Registered In
England 237626
Chairman, Joint Committee on the
Draft Disability Discrimination Bill
House of Lords
LONDON
SWiA OPW
5 April 2004
RDPIalpI2. 1
2/u
Dear Lord Carter
We respond to your letter dated 11th
March, requesting our comments on the Draft Disability Discrimination
Bill, as follows:
For the sake of good order we would
like to ensure you are aware that the current
DPTAC Guidelines on Disabled Access
to Ships are currently under review. DPTAC has just placed a contract
with consultants to carry out this review.
The shipping industry strongly urges
the retention of the exemption for shipping from the DDA on a
number of grounds, not least is that to date a voluntary approach
has proved successful.
Shipping is an international industry.
IMO developed guidelines some time ago for disabled access to
ships. These were incorporated into UK guidelines and have been
successfully applied.
The DPTAC Guidelines on access to ships
are currently under review and we consider it premature to consider
any action before this review is completed and the results published.
Disabilities come in many forms and
shipping lines welcomed disabled passengers, asking them to identify
their disability at the time of booking. Both in the pre-boarding/port
facilities and on board ship, adequate provision is made for passengers
with disabilities. The only caveat is they must have with them
a helper if their disability is such that they need physical help
and guidance. The reason for this is that a member of the ship's
crew cannot be identified to a particular individual disabled
person in the event of an emergency.
While some may urge for a withdrawal
of exemption for the marine environment, we can advise that P&O
Ferries has had no complaints from disabled passengers concerning
access. We therefore urge retention of the exemption.
Yours sincerely
R D PETERS
Managing Director
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