For decades, blind travellers have been frustrated by the lack of train announcements on NSW trains. Today, their voice has finally been heard and a landmark decision delivered at the Federal Court.
The discrimination complaint was brought by Graeme Innes AM, who is blind and uses a dog guide.
After initial mediation failed, Mr Innes, represented by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, sued RailCorp NSW in the Federal Magistrates Court, alleging its failure to provide audible announcements breached Federal Disability Discrimination law.
Today the court ruled that RailCorp’s failure to make adequate announcements represents indirect discrimination. Mr Innes has been awarded $10,000 in compensation.
Susan Thompson, Advocacy Advisor at Vision Australia and blind traveller, acknowledges the tremendous personal investment Graeme has made to try and bring NSW trains up to standard.
“The personal effort Graeme has put in on behalf of the blindness and low vision community is incredible. It is a huge win for all people who are blind or have low vision. We really thank him for bringing this issue to attention,” said Susan.
Currently people who are blind or have low vision travel on NSW trains with the constant threat of being carried past their stop because train announcements are inaudible or simply not made.
And, despite years of promises by the NSW rail operators that digital announcements would solve the problem, there have been minimal improvements over the last decade since the enactment of standards under the Disability Discrimination Act.
“Today’s decision reinforces the fact that every traveller has the right to know where they are, particularly when that person is reliant on the public transport system to get around independently,” said Ms Thompson.Download the media release.