I would like the taxi commission and Transperth to upgrade their technology so disabled public of Perth can access public tramsport without being discriminated towards. In 15 years I have not seen any progress with upgrading the travel pass or taxi subsidy vouchers and I would like to see Perth services at the same level as other states. Our time is being wasted by old fashioned rebate scheme. Disabled people cannot be independant in Perth without being let down by technology. Perth should be a productive city and I would like to advocate a change. I would like to live in Perth and have access to services that make me independant. This is my story- When I found out at 13 years of age that I was not ever going to be able to drive a car due to my vision loss, I tried to put a positive spin to it and say “well, I will become the designated drinker!” The fact is that life was meant to be lived using a car to be independent. Most people in Australia drive a car, and it's even taught in schools. It's a rite to being a grown up and I never had the chance to go through this passage into adulthood. The energy needed to live independently with vision loss is exhausting. Having a disability, every public transport trip has to be planned. My muscles got stronger having to carry shopping bags. If there was a disruption to transport, a trip could take one to two hours instead of a 30 minute car trip. My early adult years were living in Perth. My eye doctor signed off on this taxi subsidy cheque book. It was ugly, no one had cheque books! An ironic thing was the member number had to be written into the page and I was legally blind! I used it to venture out at night. I soon learned that the taxi drivers were not educated at all with the Taxi Voucher system, and I was often asked what it was, and that it could not be used in Perth. I was also asked to get out of the taxi more than once. One memorable night was my 22nd birthday. The taxi driver wouldn't sign the voucher due to my cane and guide dog not being present. Without them, apparently, he decided I wasn't blind and had no disability. This made me cry, and my friends tried to argue with the driver, asking him to call his supervisor. He drove off and my evening was ruined. This has since happened numerous times. I do NOT feel I should have to constantly justify my blindness to an ignorant taxi driver. Three years ago I moved to Melbourne. One reason was I was told the disability services in Victoria were very modern, positive and Melbourne was one of the most liveable cities in the world. Legally blind and moving to another state by yourself was a dream come true. The thrill of an adventure! I eventually got myself set up. I contacted the Victorian government to transfer my WA travel pass to ride the trains. They said scan the card and they will give me one without a doctor’s appointment. It was amazing. No paper work-which is nearly impossible for people who are blind.The travel pass was swipe accessible so I felt like everyone else! When I applied for the taxi card in Victoria, I thought it was the best card in my wallet! All I had to do was tell the commission my Centrelink number to apply for it and I had it sent to me almost immediately! Taxi drivers never questioned me and I used the taxi service more than public transport. I was independent and confident. After three years away, I decided to look for a job in Perth to be back with my family. I figured – 2016 - things must have changed to support people to live independently with a disability. NO! Nothing has changed, not one thing and it has actually got worse to live in Perth and need to use transport with a vision loss! The travel pass is still not upgraded to a swipe card to access public transport gates. There is an image taxi subsidy application form for people who can't see??? You have to see a doctor to fill out the “medical” side of the necessary forms when you never see a doctor because there is no treatment for blindness! The taxi cheque book still exists causing taxi drivers grief as it has to be filled out and it just wastes my time and theirs, instead of just swiping a credit card sized card. A lot of drivers still don't know what it is, and often have trouble filling it in. A taxi driver won't pick up a wet dog from the beach, even if I take a dry towel for my guide dog. Perth is famous for their beaches and I love the beach like everyone else. There is little public transport near the beach and if there is the times are not frequent. On one occasion I caught a taxi to the Whitfords dog beach. The taxi I booked to take me home would not pick me and my guide dog up. I walked 5 km to Mullalloo beach to a bus stop to wait for a bus. No bus came and I didn't know what to do, so I had to ring a friend to pick me up. I couldn't rely on public transport or a taxi to travel back to my home in Currambine. This is quite frightening for a blind girl on her own. I feel very strongly that I need to bring awareness to authorities who manage disability services in Perth, in particular relating to transport services. The technology to bring swipe cards to those with a disability is very basic, yet would mean so much for those who need to use public transport and taxi services. Education for taxi drivers is also needed. I would like to see this change in technology and services, and it needs to be soon. People with a disability need to be able to enjoy living in Perth and getting around easily in this great city. Next time you just jump into your car on the spur of the moment to travel somewhere, spare a thought for those whose independence has been taken away and they have to rely on someone else, all the time, to travel anywhere.