Better disabled port, vessel facilities urged

WIDE-RANGING reform of how ports and shipping lines implement facilities for people with disabilities has been recommended by a key group set up by the Department of Transport.

The Maritime Passenger Transport Forum, tasked to review "access for all" to ports and vessels, found many vessels were not yet covered by relevant EU directives and other legislation. It also found there was no "national overview" of accessibility to ports and vessels, while many ports had never audited their own facilities.

The forum, chaired by Dr Vincent JG Power, called on the department to develop an action plan to improve access for people with disabilities. It also called on individual vessel operators and port or harbour authorities to conduct "self-audits of their facilities". Also among the recommendations were:

• a "template checklist" for both vessel operators and port or harbour authorities to assist them in conducting self-audits;

• information on port or harbour facilities to be available on the internet and in brochures, to enable people with disabilities to make informed decisions;

• the drafting of general guidelines, in conjunction with the National Disability Agency, to assist service providers;

• that the department consider funding suitable projects which will provide simple but effective improvements on existing vessels.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport Noel Ahern said some progress on the recommendations had already been made. This included access audits on a cross-section of domestic passenger ships. It had also included training in disability awareness for almost 70 passenger ship operators and crew. He said the department and the National Disability Agency were drafting guidelines for operators and a programme of physical alterations at ports and vessels would begin next year.