Universal access

More people are encouraged to walk more often, resulting in a more sustainable, healthier, safer community with independent travel possible for others such as the elderly, children, families and people with disability.

Currently one in five people in Australia have a disability. Two out of three people over 75 have a disability and the prevalence of disability will increase further with the ageing of the Australian population. It is estimated that the total number of people who identify themselves as having a disability in Western Australia will increase by about 38 per cent to around 632,600 by 2023.

The City of Perth is a very accessible city for everyone including those with disability.  The City has continuous accessible paths of travel linking public transport, parking, retail, business and entertainment areas.

A number of Department of Transport resources are available to improve universal access related to pedestrian environments to meet the needs of seniors and people with disabilities.

For more information visit the Walking accessibility page.

Timely reporting of hazards from the community is vital to maintaining infrastructure. Visit the Reporting a hazard or crash page to find out what hazards to report and how to do so.

The not-for-profit organisation National Disability Services manages the ACROD Parking Program (APP) and is responsible for the issuing of ACROD and Australian Disability Parking permits in WA. For more information on the APP and how to apply, please to refer to their website.

ACROD parking bays within the City of Perth are available on-street and off-street, download the maps below.

For more information on exact numbers, locations and costs of ACROD Parking Bays please contact the various car park operators such as City of Perth, Wilson, Secure Parking, Harbour Town Shopping Centre and City West Centre (all in the CBD) directly or visit the Local councils page on the ACROD website, link below.

Providing good infrastructure to ensure a continuous accessible path of travel enables more people to travel independently. Other road and path users are reminded to be considerate of vision impaired people and keep paths clear of obstacles.

The photo gallery below shows a journey taken by a group of vision impaired people who travelled independently from the Perth CBD, via a CAT bus to Barrack Square and on the shared path along the Swan River.

For more information regarding vision impairment and walking accessibility download the Department's fact sheet on vision impairment below.

Cycling WA supports cycling for all abilities and provides opportunities for people with disabilities to cycle. Contact Cycling WA on 9328 3422 for details including 'come and try days', bike education, tandem cycling, hand cycling, paracycling, bicycle suppliers and modifiers plus riding groups for people with disability.

Community members may be able to join an access reference group and assist their local council develop a local access maps like the City of Perth. Visit the Acrod parking program website for local council access maps and information.

There are a number of policies relating to disability access including:

National

• The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (the Transport Standards) were made under section 31, and took effect on 23 October 2002. Information on the Transport Standards is available on the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department website below.
• Part 34 of the Transport Standards requires the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, in consultation with the Attorney-General, to review the efficiency and effectiveness of the Transport Standards. A review is required within five years of the Transport Standards coming into effect and every five years thereafter.
• Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport. The Allen Report and the Government Response were released in conjunction on 3 June 2011 and are available to download, website link below. The Review makes recommendations for any necessary amendments.

State

• The Disability Services Commission provides information for planning for better access for people with disabilities, universal design, access information and publications. The Commission also recognise the outstanding efforts of individuals, government, business and educational and training organisations on projects or initiatives which create more welcoming communities for people of all abilities via the annual Count Me In Awards. Visit the website for more information.

Local

• Disability Access and Inclusion Plans (DAIP) are required by all Local Government authorities to improve access within the community. The plans need to be reviewed at least every five years to ensure strategies identified to remove barriers are being achieved.
• The Department of Transport has developed an information brochure to assist local government authorities to develop the transport component of their DAIP implementation plan.
• Local government authorities all have different requirements to be included in the DAIP. The cities of Perth, Stirling and Bayswater all include strong transport related strategies.

Accessibility bulletins are sent to individuals who sign up for the new Accessibility Group via TravelEasy, Transperth's free email notification system. The Bulletins are designed for staff in disability related organisations to gather and disseminate information that they deem relevant to their clients and members.

People with disability may also be eligible for free or concessional travel. See Transperth Concession Passes on the Transperth website below for more details.

Accessible Services information is available on the Transperth website, such as how to obtain special assistance at stations from customer service staff, location of accessible toilets at bus and train stations and other issues that meet the needs of community members including people with disabilities, seniors and parents with prams and young children.

The Taxi User Subsidy Scheme (TUSS) is a subsidy available to certain eligible people with disability travelling in on-demand rank or hail (taxi) vehicles. TUSS participants can receive up to 75% off eligible taxi fares. 

TUSS is an important part of the Department of Transport’s commitment to enabling safe, accessible and efficient movement for the economic and social prosperity of Western Australia.

Visit Taxi User Subsidy Scheme to find out about eligibility and how to apply.

Assistance animals come in all shapes and sizes and are highly trained to meet behavioural and hygiene standards. 

Under the law, passenger transport drivers in WA must not refuse to carry an assistance animal or an assistance animal in training. 

Refusing to carry an assistance animal is an offence. You can be issued an infringement of $9,000 if you refuse to carry an assistance animal in your passenger transport vehicle.

Partnering with assistance animals helps many people with disability to live independently and provides a range of physical and emotional benefits. We all have a responsibility to ensure people who partner with assistance animals are supported in accessing transport that meets their needs.

For further information, visit the Australian Human Rights Commission website (below).
 

There are many ways to make transportation easier for people with disability including modifying the vehicle or utilising a mobility scooter. Further information is also available via the Vehicle for people with disabilities (booklet). Visit the Department's Special needs modifications page for full details and to download the booklet.

Wheelchair-accessible rank or hail vehicles (WAVs) are specially equipped to provide essential transport for people with disability or mobility difficulties.

Visit Transport for people with a disability for information about how to book a WAV and passenger responsibilities.