Taxi companies provide vehicles which can accommodate the physical needs of people with disability, particularly those who use wheelchairs. Vans can carry a combination of passengers and wheelchairs and are equipped with ramps and hydraulic lifts to safely load and unload passengers in wheelchairs. Accessible taxis are available in both metropolitan and regional locations around Australia. Levels of availability vary and usually require advance booking. See state and territory based links below regarding availability and bookings (the links below will open in a new window):
All Australian states and territories have taxi subsidy schemes for people with disability which restrict their capacity to use public transport. Refer to links below to determine eligibility (the links below will open in a new window):
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
For people unable to drive a vehicle either for transport to and from work or for appointments as part of their work role, the use of accessible taxis for transport can assist in allowing them to work independently and to full productivity.
More sources on transport for people with a disability can be found at the links below:
References:
Department of Planning and Infrastructure 2008, Wheelchair accessible taxis, Government of Western Australia Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Perth, viewed 6 December 2011, http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/taxis/15181.asp.
Department of Planning and Infrastructure 2008, Passenger subsidies, Government of Western Australia Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Perth, viewed 6 December 2011, http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/taxis/15155.asp.
New South Wales Government Ministry of Transport 2010-2011, Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS), New South Wales Government, Sydney, viewed 6 December 2011, http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/ttss/.
Northern Territory Transport Group 2008, Taxi and Minibus Areas, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, viewed 6 December 2011, http://www.nt.gov.au/transport/taxi/areas.shtml.
Northern Territory Government Department of Planning and Infrastructure 2008, CPV23—Card for NT Taxi Subsidy Scheme, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, viewed 6 December 2011, http://www.nt.gov.au/transport/taxi/pdf/info-bulletins/ibcpv23.pdf.
Queensland Transport 2010, Taxi subsidy scheme, The State of Queensland (Queensland Transport), Brisbane, viewed 6 December 2011, http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Assistance_and_services/Access_and_mobility/Taxi_subsidy_scheme/.
Taxi Council Queensland 2011, QLD Taxi Companies, Taxi Council of Queensland Incorporated, Brisbane, viewed 6 December 2011, http://www.tcq.org.au/?page=links.
TCSA Taxi Council 2007, Wheelchair Accessible Taxis, Taxi Council South Australia Inc., Adelaide, viewed 6 December 2011, http://www.taxicouncilsa.com.au/taxi_services_safety_wheelchair_accessible_taxis.htm.
TCSA Taxi Council 2007, South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme, Taxi Council South Australia Inc., Adelaide, viewed 6 December 2011, http://www.taxicouncilsa.com.au/taxi_services_safety_SATSS.htm.
Victoria Department of Transport 2011, Taxi accessibility, State Government of Australia Department of Transport, Melbourne, viewed 6 December 2011, http://www.taxi.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/transport.nsf/AllDocs/CC8D03F91EE0B219CA256C1C001DE33D?OpenDocument#wheel.
Victoria Department of Transport 2011, Multi Purpose Taxi Program, State Government of Australia Department of Transport, Melbourne, viewed 6 December 2011, http://www.taxi.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/vehicles.nsf/AllDocs/F147A0C53D657A9DCA2572660016656E?OpenDocument.