MONTRÉAL - June 18, 2007 - The Canadian Transportation Agency today released two new products aimed at improving the accessibility of air, rail and marine terminals:
The Code of Practice : Passenger Terminal Accessibility (Terminal Code); and
The Guide to Passenger Terminal Accessibility (Terminal Guide).
The Terminal Code covers a broad range of terminals including small ferry terminals in Atlantic Canada, rural and urban train stations of varying sizes and Canada's airports within the National Airports System. In addition to providing the technical specifications for the physical aspects of terminals, the Code covers other issues such as ground transportation, boarding devices, escort passes, passenger assistance and facility and service awareness programs. Representing minimum accessibility standards these terminals are expected to meet, the Code offers practical solutions to the industry to solve systemic problems faced by persons with disabilities when they travel through terminals.
"By involving industry and consumers early on in the process by way of extensive consultations, the Agency was able to identify and focus on the particular needs of consumers, while providing the industry with an opportunity to contribute input on the means to address these needs," said Geoffrey C. Hare, the Agency's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
"The Agency's approach of collaboration prior to and during the consultation phase helped to build consensus and acceptance among parties with differing interests," he added.
The companion document, the Terminal Guide, was created as a reference tool to assist passenger terminal operators in implementing the provisions of the new Terminal Code, and to make their facilities more accessible to travellers with disabilities. It includes practical information such as resources and tips.
The Agency is committed to monitoring compliance with the Code using a variety of means.
The Agency released the Terminal Code, its fifth code of practice and the Terminal Guide, at the 11th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED) in Montreal, Québec held until June 22. It will also present a paper outlining its strategic approach leading to the successful completion of these two new products and another on how the Agency monitors its standards. Held every three years, the TRANSED conferences are milestone events in the field of accessible transportation, attracting researchers, policy-makers, transport operators, consumers and other specialists worldwide to share innovations and best practices.
"Complementing and supporting other Agency codes of practice and regulations, the Terminal Code and Guide represent another important contribution towards a transportation network which is more accessible and responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities,"said Mr. Hare.
To obtain a copy of the Terminal Code and the Guide call 1-888-222-2592 (TTY:1-800-669-5575) or visit the Agency's Web site at www.cta.gc.ca. These publications are available in multiple formats upon request.
The Canadian Transportation Agency is an independent Government of Canada quasi-judicial tribunal. Its mandate includes the responsibility to eliminate undue obstacles to the mobility of persons with disabilities within the federal transportation network. Its mission is to administer transportation legislation, regulations and Government of Canada policies to help achieve an efficient and accessible transportation network.
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For more information and to obtain a backgrounder on the new Code and its Guide, please contact:
Lyne Giroux
Senior Communications Adviser
(819) 953-8926
To keep up-to-date with our latest news releases and other information, subscribe to our electronic mail service.
BACKGROUNDER
Code of Practice: Passenger Terminal Accessibility
The Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) is responsible for ensuring
that undue obstacles to the mobility of persons with disabilities are removed
from federally regulated transportation services and facilities. The Agency
removes undue obstacles on a case-by-case basis by resolving individual
complaints through facilitation, mediation and a formal adjudicative process.
It also removes undue obstacles on a systemic basis by developing
regulations, standards and codes of practice concerning the level of
accessibility in modes of transport under federal jurisdiction.
The Code of Practice: Passenger Terminal Accessibility (Terminal Code) is
one of a series of codes reflecting the Agency's efforts to make the federal
transportation network more accessible to persons with disabilities. The
Agency's four other codes are:
Aircraft Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (Air Code);
Passenger Rail Car Accessibility and Terms and Conditions of Carriage by Rail of Persons with Disabilities (Rail Code);
Ferry Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (Ferry Code); and
Removing Communication Barriers for Travellers with Disabilities (Communication Code).
The purpose of the Terminal Code is to improve the accessibility of air, rail
and marine terminals for persons with disabilities. While the Terminal Code
represents minimum accessibility standards that these terminals are
expected to meet, terminal operators are encouraged to exceed these
standards wherever possible. Overall, it offers practical solutions to the
industry to solve systemic problems faced by persons with disabilities when
they travel through these terminals.
The Code applies to airports in the National Airports System, as well as rail
and ferry terminals where 10,000 or more passengers embark and
disembark annually. In addition, any security agency or authority
responsible for pre-board screening of passengers and their belongings,
operating in any terminal covered by the Code, is expected to meet its
provisions.
The Terminal Code includes provisions for improving the level of
accessibility of passenger terminals across Canada including technical
specifications for accessibility, facility considerations, service
considerations, and considerations for security screening of passengers.
The following is a summary of the key provisions in the Terminal Code.
Implementation
Terminal operators are to implement the provisions of the Terminal
Code as soon as possible, but by no later than June 2009. Note,
however, that section 1 which deals with contracts for new
construction and renovations, and subsection 2.7.1. which deals with
contracts for ground transportation, are to be implemented
immediately. This means that any contract for construction or ground
transportation, drawn up or renewed at any time after the release of
the Code on June 20, 2007, is to include the provisions contained
within the Code.
Technical specifications for accessibility
Terminal operators are to specify in their requests for proposals,
contracts, and other governing documents for the design and
construction of new buildings and renovations of existing buildings,
that work will comply with the Canadian Standards Association's,
Accessible Design for the Built Environment (B651).
Facility considerations
The needs of persons with disabilities are to be included at the
planning and design stage of projects, including: consultation with
persons knowledgeable in disability issues; the application of
universal design principles; and the incorporation of wayfinding
methods (i.e. methods to help a person find his or her way to a given
destination) into design.
Drop-off and pick-up areas for passengers with disabilities are to be
available at the curb, as close as possible to entrance and exit areas.
Boarding bridges, platforms or gangways are to be accessible to
persons with disabilities during the boarding and deboarding process.
Where the usual route of travel for boarding and deboarding is not
accessible, an alternate accessible route is to be available.
An area is to be available for service animals to relieve themselves.
Ideally, one should be available within secured areas. Staff and
volunteers are to be aware of the location of relieving areas and any
applicable procedures to facilitate passage through security
screening areas for passengers who need to leave the secured area
to relieve their animal prior to making a connection.
Transportation within and between passenger terminals (e.g. shuttle
buses and light rail) is to be accessible and public announcements
on such transportation is to be in both audio and visual format.
Except in very limited circumstances, ground transportation service
providers should have adapted vehicles to accommodate the
transportation of persons using large mobility aids. In addition,
terminal operators are to inform the public about accessible ground
transportation available at the terminal, and any specific procedures
such as advance reservations. In rare cases where there is no
accessible ground transportation, information advising of this fact is
to be made available to the public.
Service considerations
A means for passengers to get information or assistance once they
have arrived at the terminal is to be provided.
Terminal operators are to have a means to consult with
representatives of a variety of groups of and for persons with
disabilities.
A process is to be in place to deal with concerns and complaints,
including a designated person or group to deal with accessibility
related issues.
A process is to be in place to provide temporary passes to escorts so
that persons with disabilities can be escorted to boarding areas by
someone of their choosing, in addition to carrier or terminal staff.
A means to make terminal accessibility features and services known
to travellers is to be provided. The Code includes a list of specific
features and services to be made available to the public.
Considerations for security screening of passengers
An alternative to the queuing system is to be available to people with
disabilities.
Both audible and visual means are to be used to communicate with
passengers during the screening process.
If passengers cannot undergo screening using walk-through or hand-held metal detection equipment, screening officers are to offer a
physical search with the option of it being performed in an area out of
public view.
Information in public briefing videos is to be presented visually and
verbally.
Some assistance with the screening process is to be provided upon
request.
A means is to be available to make accessibility services known to
travellers.
A process to deal with concerns and complaints is to be in place and
is to include a designated person or group to deal with accessibility-related issues.
Public documents are to be available in multiple formats.
A means to consult with persons knowledgeable in disability issues is
to be in place.
Monitoring
The Agency monitors progress on the implementation of the voluntary
codes of practice using a variety of means. Results are provided to the
Agency's Accessibility Advisory Committee and are made available to the
public. Independent of this, the Agency will also continue to exercise its
authority to deal with individual complaints regarding the accessibility of
Canadian air, rail and ferry terminals to determine whether there are undue
obstacles to the mobility of persons with disabilities.
Other information
In addition to the Terminal Code, the Guide for Passenger Terminal
Accessibility has also been prepared as a resource for all passenger
terminal operators covered by the Code.
As this is a summary, please refer to the Terminal Code itself for more
details. To obtain a copy of the Terminal Code:
Voice: 1-888-222-2592 (Canada only)
TTY: 1-800-669-5575 (Canada only)
Fax: (819) 953-6019
Web site: www.cta-otc.gc.ca
E-mail: cta.comment@cta-otc.gc.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Guide for Passenger Terminal Accessibility
The Canadian Transportation Agency (Agency) is responsible for ensuring
that undue obstacles to the mobility of persons with disabilities are
removed from federally regulated transportation services and facilities. The
Agency removes undue obstacles on a case-by-case basis by resolving
individual complaints through facilitation, mediation and a formal
adjudicative process. It also removes undue obstacles on a systemic basis
by developing regulations, standards and codes of practice concerning the
level of accessibility in modes of transport under federal jurisdiction.
The Code of Practice: Passenger Terminal Accessibility (Terminal Code) is
one of a series of codes reflecting the Agency's efforts to make the federal
transportation network more accessible to persons with disabilities. The
Agency's four other codes are:
Aircraft Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (Air Code);
Passenger Rail Car Accessibility and Terms and Conditions of Carriage by Rail of Persons with Disabilities (Rail Code);
Ferry Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (Ferry Code); and
Removing Communication Barriers for Travellers with Disabilities (Communication Code).
The Agency has created the Guide for Passenger Terminal Accessibility
(Terminal Guide) to assist passenger terminal operators to implement the
provisions of the new Terminal Code, and to make their facilities more
accessible to travellers with disabilities.
Who can use this Guide?
The Terminal Guide will be of particular benefit to terminal operators when
making their facilities and operations more accessible to persons with
disabilities. It is meant to be used by them as a resource to make informed
decisions when contemplating changes to such things as: the physical
aspects of terminals; wayfinding (i.e. methods to help a person find his or
her way to a given destination) ; relieving areas; boarding and deboarding;
ground transportation; and service issues such as customer service,
passenger assistance, and consultation, among others. However, while
the Guide was specifically designed to help air, rail and ferry terminal
operators implement the provisions of the Terminal Code, all service
providers in all modes of transport should find the information and
resources very useful.
What is in the Guide?
The Terminal Guide provides resources and tips for implementing the
accessibility criteria in the Terminal Code, as well as contacts with
organizations of and for persons with disabilities and government
departments that can provide expertise on accessibility. In addition,
examples of best practices have been provided that highlight businesses
that provide facilities or services that are of benefit to persons with
disabilities. Wherever possible, Web site addresses have been included to
provide easy access to further information. The Terminal Guide was
developed as a practical information resource and is not intended to restrict
or specify any operational decisions to be taken by those who are
implementing the Terminal Code.
Further Editions of the Guide
As the Terminal Guide includes contacts, Web site addresses and other
information that will change over time, it may be updated at a later date to
respond to changes and suggestions from people who use this resource
tool. A questionnaire is included to encourage feedback on the Guide's usefulness and on changes that could improve the document. As well,
readers are encouraged to submit suggestions of industry best practices
that could be highlighted in future editions.
As this is a summary, please refer to the Terminal Guide itself for more
details. To obtain a copy of the Terminal Guide:
Voice: 1-888-222-2592 (Canada only)
TTY: 1-800-669-5575 (Canada only)
Fax: (819) 953-6019
Web site: www.cta-otc.gc.ca
E-mail: cta.comment@cta-otc.gc.ca
