The use of non-accessible buses in WA is a major problem for those of us with disabilities and many elderly people. I have a genetic disease called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which affects my joints and causes chronic pain, weakness and structural instability. I've lost count of the number of times one of these old buses, with a flight of stairs to board it, has shown up on one of my regular bus routes. This has meant that I've missed appointments for which I've had to wait months, had to miss or be very late for uni classes (and lab classes are compulsory, in my undergrad), been stuck away from home late at night, etc. I've also seen plenty of parents with prams unable to board these buses.

All the drivers can suggest is that we call up and request an accessible bus for a particular route at the time we need it, but this just seems to fall upon deaf ears. The risk of us being unable to board the bus that arrives remains the same. I also know a man who works for Transperth and he says that their complaints department may as well simply be a bin. Complaints are almost never addressed and personally, having complained MANY times about this issue and other related problems, I have NEVER had a complaint followed-up.

In continuing to use these buses, Transperth violates anti-discrimination laws. This is a public service that a large section of the community are barred from using, through no fault of our own. But, of course, the government is allowed to break its own laws. They clearly think they're exempt and that we don't matter.

With the calculated elimination of the role of Disability Discrimination Commissioner, we've lost our strongest advocate, Graeme Innes. There's no one left to fight for us. We have to stand up for ourselves and it's my hope that others, outside of the disability community, will join us. Remember: disability can happen to anyone, at any time.

This ridiculous injustice has gone on far too long, as it is. Please sign this petition and tell Transperth that public transport that only certain people can use is simply NOT GOOD ENOUGH.