Having accessible reliable information is one of the most important requirements for inclusive transport. Addressing digital exclusion and ensuring equal access for all Victorians is key to achieving this.
We have heard from people with disability that the absence of information about the accessibility of transport facilities and services makes travelling extremely difficult. We have also heard that, even when information does exist, it can be inaccessible to some people (these include people who are deaf, blind, have low vision or cognitive disability or are restricted in their view, for example, by their height, seated position on a mobility aid etc).
It is especially hard to plan a journey without basic accessibility information. We have heard that the effort required by people with disability to plan a journey can take hours away from other activities or can be overwhelming. For others in the community, most trips can be made spontaneously, something many people with disability can currently only aspire to achieve.
Implementing measures to ensure that people with a disability and other diverse backgrounds do not experience any digital exclusion in accessing information is crucial. Leveraging innovative technologies and designing digital platforms with accessibility features such as screen readers, text-to-speech capabilities, and alternative input methods, will guarantee that everyone, regardless of their accessibility requirements, can effortlessly obtain the information they need to navigate the Victorian transport system.
To make it easier for all people to use transport, we need to fill gaps in information, keep information up to date and ensure it can be easily found and accessed. The aim should be that inability to access necessary and accessible information does not prevent full and equal community participation for all Victorians.
Strategic directions for information and innovation are to:
- Fill data gaps so that data is consistent and can be made into useful information for users and decision-makers.
- Information should be available to enable all users to plan their journeys with confidence, regardless of whether the network and system are operating as usual.
- Data, information and announcements should be readily available and provided in accessible formats including online digital and other forms to meet all users’ needs.
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