How MACS Works

The Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) is an advisory non-departmental public body. Within the founding legislation Scottish Ministers have defined the overall aim for MACS as:

“MACS consider such matters relating to the needs of disabled persons in connection with transport as the Committee think appropriate and give advice to Scottish Ministers.”

MACS Strategic Remit is:

  • To give Scottish Ministers advice on aspects of policy, legislation, and practice affecting the travel needs of disabled people.
  • To take account of the broad views and lived experiences of disabled people when giving advice.
  • To encourage awareness amongst disabled people in Scotland of developments which affects their mobility, choices, and opportunities.
  • To work closely with Scottish Government (SG) and ensure our work programme complements the work being undertaken by the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Committee (IMTAC), the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), the Scottish Human Rights Commission, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and other organisations, voluntary and statutory.
  • To promote the travel needs of disabled people with designers including transport planners and operators so that these are fully considered in the development of vehicles and infrastructure and delivery of services.
  • To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of our work against the above aims and objectives in improving travel opportunities for disabled people in Scotland.

In doing so, the Convener and Committee aim to ensure that MACS’ policies and actions supports the wider strategic policies of Scottish Ministers. This aligns with the Framework Document between MACS and Transport Scotland (TS), our Sponsors.

MACS continues to use workstreams with remits focussed on different modes of transport. Each workstream has a lead, with several other members supporting the work.

MACS Vision

MACS believes in a Scotland without the barriers that isolate and exclude disabled people from making their choice of successful door-to-door journeys.