Information sessions around safe passenger transport in wheelchair accessible vehicles are being held across selected regional centres in NSW.
The sessions are designed to educate and inform those travelling with wheelchairs, carers, people who make wheelchair transport bookings, the public, service providers and drivers on travelling safely in wheelchairs. The interactive sessions provide an opportunity to ask questions, along with demonstrations on how drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles safely transfer passengers in and out of the vehicle.
The events have been organised by the NSW Point to Point Transport Commissioner, the independent regulator for taxis, hire vehicles and rideshare in the state.
In addition to the information sessions, an industry toolkit for providers of wheelchair accessible services is also available. It includes resources to help service providers better understand their safety obligations that can be shared with drivers to support their role in providing transport to passengers travelling with a wheelchair. The toolkit contains fact sheets, driver checklists, quick reference guides and a video.
Kayleen Beeston, pictured, who travels with a wheelchair, attended a WAT safety event in Tamworth, and found the session beneficial to learn more about how passengers are safely transferred into wheelchair accessible vehicles. “I saw this event advertised on Facebook and am glad I came as it was good to talk to drivers and others attending. I travel in wheelchair accessible vehicles, so safety is important to me and the resources that you can take away are great too,” she said.
Sessions, along with drop in stands at local shopping centres, have already been held in Dubbo, Wyong, Tamworth and Coffs Harbour with more to follow in Tweed Heads, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga throughout the year.
Details regarding the events times and locations can be found on the commissioner’s website.