Yesterday, Lyle and I travelled by train to Sydney. Actually we travelled on four different
trains during the day’s excursion and I was pleased to note that on each train
the station announcements were clear, audible and easy to understand. This has not always been the case in the
past. On previous train trips, we have
often noticed that announcements have been mumbled, mispronounced and sometimes
not given at all. We think that the
improvements in audible announcements might be due to the efforts of one man.
A few months ago, a blind man who regularly travels on the suburban
train system with his guide dog became frustrated with the irregularity and
sometimes lack of station announcements.
He saw this as a form of discrimination to blind and partially sighted
travellers and took the rail system to court.
The court agreed with the case and assigned the man financial
compensation. Even more importantly, the
case received media coverage and the rail system was forced to improve its act.
I write all this as an example of what can be done by just one
person taking a stand. It’s not enough just
to recognize injustice and discrimination.
Doing something about it takes courage.
Lyle and I had gone to Sydney to meet an old friend of mine and what
better meeting place than down by the Sydney Opera House. This famous structure stands on Benelong
Point and is a feature of the harbour area. The gleaming white and overlapping
shell shapes of the roof of the Opera House give it its unique design and it is
immediately recognizable as a symbol of Australia. I have included a picture of the Opera House
which Lyle took on our trip yesterday.
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| The Sydney Opera House |
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