Memorandum from Stena Line (DDB 139)
Thank you for your recent letter requesting
our comments on the Draft Discrimination Bill, as follows:
We are sure that you are aware that the current
DPTAC Guidelines on Disabled Access to Ships are currently under
review. DPTAC has just placed a contract with experts to carry
out this review. It would be inappropriate to consider any action
prior to completion of this review.
Stena Line and the shipping industry strongly
urge 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 very successful by involving and participating
will all stake holders.
Also the shipping industry is regulated by the
IMO who have developed guidelines for disabled access to ships.
We in Stena Line welcome disabled passengers
and encourage them to identify their disability at the time of
booking in order that we can make adequate provision for pre-boarding,
port facilities and on board ship. The only proviso is that, where
the disability necessitates the need for physical help and guidance,
a helper is required. 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 maritime environment, we can advise the Stena Line have
had no complaints from disabled passengers concerning access.
Due to its continued success we urge retention of the exemption.
April 2004
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