Anyone who knows us, will know our passion for accessibility and inclusion - particularly for sports and public transport.
With several recent issues making the news here in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and the potential for confusion in where official assistance dogs are permitted, we thought it would be good to touch on the rules for assistance dogs on public transport today.
But first, some background on where a Government Agency has excelled in this space, and our own personal experience.
Public Transport Victoria - test the network programme for staff
A few years back - ok more than a few...it was between 2015 and 2017 - I worked for Public Transport Victoria (PTV).
PTV were a great employer and had an amazing group of passionate people who worked hard to improve the public transport network for all Victorians. One of those jobs where it never felt like work:)
One thing that stood our for PTV was the accessibility programme ALL staff were required to undertake. This came into practice under the leadership of Jeroen Weimar and in my mind is still one of the best immersive training experiences I have undertaken.
Here's how it worked:
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You were given an 'impediment' then were taken out on the public transport network. In my case I was blind folded so was taken around as a person who is vision impaired.
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You experience the network in a completely different way, and it helps when planning stops, networks and accessibility to the network in the future.
The benefit: the few hours spent out on the network experiencing what it is like to have an impediment is worth a year in the class room.
Achilles International and Modern Pentathlon
We have also undertaken similar training with https://www.achillesnewzealand.org/ via Peter Loft in Rotorua. This was again a very unique experience to understand how the para athletes we guide feel out there on course.
We were blind folded and had a guide run with us - I feel my wife had some trust issues with my guiding her!!!
A quick shameless Achilles plug for Steve who just completed the Hamilton Half Marathon yesterday!
We have also had the pleasure of helping introduce para-athletes to our sport of Modern Pentathlon, and we thank the likes of Kitty Chiller AM OLY who has helped support the growth of para in Oceania and via her role on the Executive Board of UIPM World Pentathlon, and Dr Nicola Robinson who is the new chair of the World Pentathlon Para Pentathlon Commission and is expanding the movement globally. All of this work is underpinned by accessibility.
Like we said, it is an area of passion, and we are excited to see growth in para sports and a promotion of accessibility creating a fairer and easier to access world.
What are the rules for Official Assistance Dogs on Public Transport in New Zealand?
The rules, as they should be, are incredibly simple:
"In New Zealand, official assistance dogs, including guide dogs, are permitted on all forms of public transport, including buses, trains, ferries, and taxis, and are not considered domestic pets."
More specifically:
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Legal Access: Guide dogs, as disability assist dogs, have legal access to most public places, including public transport.
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Public Transport: They can travel on buses, trains, ferries, ships, taxis, and shuttles.
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Identification: Handlers should carry appropriate identification cards from recognized organizations, and drivers may ask for this upon boarding.
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Organizations: Recognized organizations include Blind Foundation, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People New Zealand, Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust, New Zealand Epilepsy Assist Dogs Trust, and Top Dog Companion Trust.
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Etiquette: It's important to treat guide dogs as working dogs, not pets, and to avoid distracting them.
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Intercity: Certified service dogs are permitted on InterCity services when accompanying a person with a disability, with specific conditions, including the dog wearing an identification tag and being controlled by a lead.
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Auckland Transport: Domestic pets are allowed on buses in Auckland during off-peak hours on weekdays (9 AM–3 PM) and all-day on weekends and public holidays, but must travel in an approved carrier.
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Hamilton City Council: Hamilton City Council is located in the Waikato region, and the rules for public transport are similar to other regions in New Zealand, with assistance dogs permitted on all forms of public transport.
So what is the issue and how can things improve to create a more accessible and fair public transport system for all?
In short, the issue is not the rules and legal requirements. These are clear. Rather, it relates to:
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Individual understanding of the rules.
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Understanding what it feels like to utilize the public transport network with an impediment - and it can be damn scary.
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Education and training of frontline staff for public transport, and government officials and consultants.
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Ensuring consistent application of said rules - easier said than done!
These can be summarized to relate specifically to developing education frameworks and improving interpersonal skills.
What can be done: Moving forward towards a more accessible world
The good news, there are several organizations that provide training and support for free.
Organizations such Blind Low Vision NZ (www.blindlowvision.org.nz) and other accessibility and disability groups are available - and very willing to - meet with staff in transport, Government and in Consulting firms to provide a user experience.
Government agencies and firms can also set up programmes similar to Public Transport Victoria, where all staff have to undertake immerse training. As mentioned above - a few hours out on the network experiencing an impediment are worth a year in the classroom.
In the consulting industry, simply connecting with diverse users of the public transport network can have a tremendous positive impact in increasing understanding.
Here locally, at Beca in Hamilton, we have hosted Achillies athletes for Round the Bridges since 2018. It has been great to watch the event grow year to year and to see staff jump in and help guide para athletes. This connection helps create understanding through lived experiences, and has helped in promoting an understanding of accessibility.
In Summary
The rules for accessible access to a public transport network are clear. It is a fundamental human right to have equal access to the physical environment regardless of ability or disability.
This is driven right from the top, via the United Nations. Specifically:
The UN's commitment to accessibility is enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), particularly in Article 9, which mandates that states ensure equal access to the physical environment, transportation, information, and other facilities and services for people with disabilities.
Taking this down to New Zealand:
In September 2008. New Zealand signed and ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Optional Protocol, committing to ensuring the full and equal enjoyment of human rights by people with disabilities.
Its clear there is a fundamental human right and there are clear rules and legislation in place.
It simply comes down to education and training and immerse experiences.
Till next time
Andrew
p.s. Rather than a Bond movie quote this week, we have a quote from Pau Feyen, who was the first person to be issued with a guide dog in 1916:
"A guide dog is almost equal in many ways to giving a blind man [person] sight itself. "
p.p.s Some photos of Achillies and other events.
Even Richard Douch got involved for Hamilton!
Transit Trends · Andrew Collings, KA Advisory. Read and comment on the original on LinkedIn.
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