The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC)

DPTAC was set up under the 1985 Transport Act. The main role of DPTAC is to act as an independent organisation that advises the Government on the transport and built environment needs of disabled people. It provides expert advice and also carries out and commissions independent research into areas where further knowledge and guidance is needed. The purpose of DPTAC is to promote a more 'inclusive' society, where as many people as possible are able to take part effectively, safely and, wherever possible, as independently as possible.

In its role, DPTAC advises Government on many issues including; putting the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 into practice, in relation to transport and the built environment; taking forward the Disability Rights Task Force's recommendations on transport and the built environment; dealing with issues of how disabled people gain access to transport facilities and services; measuring and monitoring what progress has been made on access; developing guidance for industry on transport matters; making sure disabled people can influence access to transport in all its forms and at all levels.

The aim of DPTAC is to ensure that disabled people can go where others go, when they want to, at the same cost and having just as positive an experience while doing so. The experience and knowledge of DPTAC members, both on the main Committee and in its supporting Working Groups, offers an ideal, unique, opportunity to provide expert, independent, advice to the Government where it is specifically requested by Ministers, and in those areas that DPTAC feels advice should be given.

The overarching strategy of DPTAC is to lead the evolving policy debate and to influence government policy decisions through the provision of high quality advice informed by key stakeholders. In doing this DPTAC helps in ensuring that those decisions which contribute to the delivery of a transport system and a built environment are taken with a view that they should be accessible to everyone.