Memorandum from P&O Ferries (DDB 138)
We respond to your letter dated 11 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.
R D Peters
Managing Director
April 2004
| 
