Disability Awareness Training for Drivers

Disability Awareness Training for Taxi & Private Hire Drivers

• Equo is a trading name of Inclu Consulting Ltd.
• Training materials updated November 2022.
• Training covers the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022.

Definitions of Disability

• Equality Act 2010 replaced the Disability Discrimination Acts.
• Disability is a protected characteristic.
• Disability definition: A physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
• Impairment must last for at least 12 months.
• Normal day-to-day activities include everyday tasks like eating, washing, walking, and shopping.
• Disability activities include mobility, manual dexterity, speech, hearing, seeing, memory, and understanding risks.
• Examples of conditions that do not constitute a disability: hay fever, broken limb, sprained ankle, eyesight corrected by glasses.

Discrimination

• Discrimination: Treating someone less favourably because of a disability.
• Discrimination examples: Refusal of entry to a nightclub due to a facial disfigurement, not adjusting facilities to accommodate a wheelchair user.
• Direct discrimination: Treating someone less favourably because of their disability.
• Indirect discrimination: Policies or practices that disadvantage disabled people.
• Associative discrimination: Discrimination against someone because they associate with a disabled person.
• Discrimination by perception: Discrimination against someone because others think they have a disability.

Getting in on The Act

• Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination based on protected characteristics. (disability).
• Important protected characteristics include disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
• The original Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) focused on businesses and public sector organizations ensuring accessibility for disabled people.
• DDA covered getting into and out of premises, accessing internal facilities. Also treating disabled persons without discrimination.
• Recent Act 2022 broadened these to include all taxi and private hire vehicles.

New Requirements for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers

• The Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022 came into force on June 28, 2022.
• Drivers must accept the carriage of any disabled person and assist with mobility devices.
• No additional charges allowed.
• Drivers found not complying face fines, up to 1,000£.
• Drivers could face review of license fitness.
• Exemptions may be available on medical grounds for WAV drivers.

Drivers' Responsibilities

• Drivers of all vehicles (disabled or not) must provide reasonable assistance.
• Duties include loading, unloading, passengers' luggage
• No additional charges for carrying these duties.

Access to Premises

• Premises must be accessible for both external and internal visitors, employees/potential employees.
• Reasonable adjustments should be made, taking into account financial limitations of the business
• Examples of accessibility include ramps, signage
• Detailed guidelines from the Building Regulations and BS8300:2009.

Employment

• Equality Act 2010 has specific protections for disabled employees.
• Businesses need to make reasonable adjustments to help accommodate disabled employees.
• Examples of adjustments include modifying premises, adjusting work hours.
• Government programs like "Access to Work” can assist.

Visual Impairment

• Visual impairment affects sight or color vision.
• Guide Dogs can help.
• When assisting visually impaired people, remember to clearly identify yourself and anyone else present, maintain an appropriate distance, and offer assistance (ex: helping them to find the seat) without force.

Mobility Impairment

• Mobility impairment signifies difficulty traveling, including with assistance.
• When assisting, respect personal space, don't make assumptions about their abilities.
• Assist with movement, ensure accessible routes, provide details on travel assistance
• Example of adjusting facilities: providing alternative entrances, adjusting height of counters for accessibility

Hearing Impairment

• Hearing loss varies in severity, with some needing hearing aids or other devices, or lip reading.
• When communicating, maintain eye contact, speak slowly and clearly, avoid covering your mouth.
• Allow sufficient time, and if your first language is not the same, use interpreters or written words.

Disfigurement

• Disfigurement may involve scars, facial marks, etc.
• Avoid staring, treat the situation with sensitivity, respect personal space.
• Keep interactions professional, avoid personal questions about a person's disability.

Short Stature

• Short stature is height below average.
• Make items accessible, ensure easier communication and interaction.
• Respect their personal space, do not patronize.

Speech & Language Impairment

• Communication may be different, with different levels of difficulty.
• Allow enough time for a person to express themselves, be prepared to repeat information.
• Offer to write things down, or use simple language.

Learning Disabilities

• Learning disabilities affect learning and understanding in a variety of ways.
• When communicating, use clear, simple language, be prepared to repeat and clarify information, use visual and written aids where necessary.
• Demonstrate/show rather than telling.

Mental Health

• Mental health may range from temporary stress to chronic conditions like depression and psychosis.
• Be patient and respectful of an individual's personal space, do not make assumptions/assumptions about their behaviours.
• Be attentive, understanding and empathetic.
• Do not assume they will be violent.

Assistance Dogs

• Assistance dogs help owners with various needs (physical, sensory, mental disabilities),
• Assistance dogs are trained for particular tasks, and their owners have specific rights under the Equality Act.
• Do not distract the dog during its work, do not be upset by their behavior, if needed, contact their owner for clarification.

Safe Transportation of Wheelchairs

• Ensure the vehicle is suitable to transport the wheelchair safely.
• Wheelchair users may prefer to sit, so provide seating if available
• Use appropriate restraints to ensure stability during transportation
• Do not charge extra for disabled passengers.