Answers to Questions

Disability Mobility Vehicles

In reply to the Hon. M.C. PARNELL (24 October 2018).

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services): The Department of Human Services has advised:

Our government is committed to promoting mobility and access to the community.

I introduced the Disability Inclusion Act 2018 to improve opportunities for South Australians with disability to participate in the community as equal citizens.

Under the act, state authorities, including the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, will be required to consult with the community about better access and inclusion to develop disability access and inclusion plans. The plans will be required to outline strategies that improve outcomes for people with disability, including in access to built environments and transport.

My department will support authorities to develop creative, best practice and innovative disability access and inclusion plans to improve outcomes for people with disability in our community.

The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government has provided the following advice:

Officers of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure have contacted the National Transport Commission regarding this matter. They are advised that the NTC forward work program for 2019 includes a reconsideration of some work undertaken by Austroads which set out potential parameters for using powered wheeled recreational devices.

Potential law reform would consider whether the devices should also be subject to restrictions on mass and speed, and restrictions on access to the road network. There would also be safety requirements such as users being of a certain age, wearing helmets and for devices to be fitted with bells and lights, for example.