Since October 2004, the Disability Discrimination Act requires many more buildings, places and activities to be made accessible to people with disabilities. To highlight the importance of this change in the law, the Institution of Highways & Transportation together with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) offered awards for accessible transportation.

An important aspect of these awards is making sure that people with disabilities are aware of what is being provided and how it could benefit them.

• INFORMATION – the provision of information that is easily accessible to people with one or more impairments;

• INFRASTRUCTURE – the most outstanding example of accessible infrastructure

• SERVICES – a service connected with mobility or access that has been designed to take account of potential users with physical, sensory and/or cognitive impairments

• BEST OVERALL ENTRY – presented for the best example of good practice from all categories.

Information Category

Winner: Wrexham Borough Council for www.wrexham.gov.uk

Commended: Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council for Tactile Surfaces

Infrastructure Category

Winner: Brighton & Hove City Council for Accessible City Buses

Service Category

Winner: Exeter Community Transport Association (ECTA) for Leisuremobility

Commended: Jim Stones Bus Company

Commended: The Volunteer Centre for Lutterworth Village Link

Best Overall Entry

Winner: Wrexham Borough Council for www.wrexham.gov.uk

The awards were presented by David Hutchinson, IHT President, at the Presidential Conference 2005 at Bath University.

Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation >>