Dear Colleagues,
The time has come for us to rally the troops and show we mean business in
supporting the Draft Accessible Transport Standards.
This email is intended to elicit support (physical and any other ways you
can think of) and to indicate that support by sending your name back
to us. You might also want to indicate what you can do to support the push
for the "We will ride" campaign on behalf of all people with disabilites,
the aging population and other people that will benefit from accessible
public transport in Australia.
Some of the suggestions for protests and action are as follows:
* a protest rally outside the Australian Transport Council meeting
* Phone calls, letters and faxes to State and Territory Ministers of
Transport indicating your support and need for accessible transport, and
urging them to support the Standards
* Contacting the Transport Ministers advisers and telling them the same
as above
* Mounting a media campaign
These are just a few of the ideas we are contemplating, and it would be
great if you could indicate the way in which you can help. For our part,
we will put together an info sheet stating the arguments for accessible
transport, with factual information that cannot be disputed.
This can be used to support rallies and any other action taken on this
vital issue.
If you wish to help, please email the return address and indicate what you
think you can do. Also pass this message on to as many people with
disabilities, and other folk who would like to add their support to this
campaign.
We need to be noticed, we need to be counted and listened to on this one.
We will not accept being left out of our society by not being included
anymore. This is our chance to make a difference in our own lives and the
lives of others, so don't hesitate - get involved.
You may like to read the following message from the United States, which
says it all for Australia as well...
> Get Angry!...Get Active!
> America Needs YOU!
>
> I don't know about you, but the continued attacks on the rights
> of citizens with disabilities makes me angry. The unwillingness
> of many of our lawmakers to defend, let alone establish, even
> the most fundamental protections for our education, health
> care, access to transportation and opportunities to work
> infuriates me.
>
> The barriers many of those same lawmakers pose to the
> adoption of programs that are empowerment-oriented and
> which finally end centuries of discrimination, exclusion and
> abuse, burns me up and I know I am not alone.
>
> There's no doubt the events of the last few weeks -- and of the
> last four years, in fact -- have heightened those feelings for me.
>
> However, I try to remember that changing the world is never
> easy...and changing the world is what we're doing.
>
> I am also reminded of Fredrick Douglas' quote: "Power
> concedes nothing without a demand." That statement is so true.
> Society rarely, if ever, does the right thing of its own accord.
> Change only comes through persistence and with the oppressed
> forcing their oppressors to relent.
>
> The lesson is that each of us must channel unproductive anger
> and frustration and convert it into "activism"; convert it into
> the "power" we need to change the system. Apathy, or just
> plain giving up, will delay justice and, thus, is unacceptable.
>
> Our movement needs you, AMERICA needs you, to get involved.
>
Our movement needs you, AUSTRALIA needs you, so get involved.
LETS HEAR IT FROM THE PEOPLE!
MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD!!!
Regards
APT
