The Department of Transport is hosting its National Transport Summit on Universal Accessibility on 25 and 26 April at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre.
Themed “Accessible Transport for All”, the Summit aims to foster dialogue, identify challenges and opportunities, and chart a roadmap for accelerated implementations of universal access. The universal accessibility across aviation, maritime, road, rail and public transport sectors were discussed.
As a member of the Presidential Working Group on Disability, Ari Seirlis was given the opportunity to present at the event. Here is his speech in full:
Mr President, Minister Dlamini-Zuma, Minister Chikunga other Ministers and MECs/MMCs present,
Thank you to Department of Transport (DoT) for this Summit, allowing us to engage with you on this matter of transport – a human right so flawed with shortcomings and inaccessibility.
I want to start with a short and articulate summary of the definition of disability:
“Disability is an experience that arises out of the interaction between a person with a health condition and the context within they live.”
It is not our health condition that disables us, it is the environment within which we live.
Minister Dlamini-Zuma, I met you in 1998 when you were Minister of Health at Hinton College, when you and late Madiba gave 600 wheelchairs to children. The conundrum is:
They are mobile, but where do they go? How do they get there?
They have mobility aids. Now, they need the freedom of transport and infrastructure.
Let me set the tone and state some facts… Excuse me, if I fail to mention all issues.
Public transport
Our most essential mode of transport with the biggest footprint is way behind in Universal Accessible (UA) compliance and availability.
Besides the bus rapid transit (BRT) system, most busses are inaccessible and the minibus-taxi industry hasn’t transformed.
BRT need to expand to all cities. We do appreciate Rea Vaya in Johannesburg, Are Yeng in Tshwane, Go George, IRT in Cape Town?
Rural areas are off the radar.
Road transport
Our pedestrians are always at risk and sidewalks are seldom accessible.
We are long overdue for a national parking disc policy.
The RAF fails their beneficiaries in undertaking delivery.
We are grateful the e-Tolls are now scrapped.
Rail
The metro and long-distance rail services are not accessible, and platforms don’t match rolling stock requirements.
Most wheelchair users have never been on a train.
We miss out on this cheaper and potentially more effective form of transport.
Aviation
For some privileged few who fly, the CAA guidelines are discriminatory.
Airports are surprisingly accessible, but the airlines call the tune and exploit the CAA guidelines to exclude us often.
Kerb-to-kerb has still not been achieved, but progress has been made in this sector.
Maritime
The cruise industry looks far more accessible than most nodes, but so few of us have the means to enjoy this.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure often doesn’t comply with PartS10400 of the building regulations, and infrastructure compliance is an equally important element of the travel chain.
Rural transport
It is sadly lacking, affecting thousands of our comrades. We are confined to our villages as the foot print of accessible transport is not broad enough.
Safety
We suffer from inadequate safety regulations in transport and are vulnerable at ranks, platforms and pick up points without shelter and security.
Sensitisation and training
Across all sectors, there is very little sensitisation of operators and service providers. We are not understood and still discriminated against.
We want to experience seamless transport facilities which are UA, safe, affordable and dignified. Only then will there be accessible transport for all.
Programme delivery dates move out and, 30 years down the line, we feel no better off. We want to be included into the economic empowerment opportunities in the transport sector. A disability act is the future for our all-encompassing rights and rightful place in South Africa.
Next month we cast our votes.
We are a value proposition to all political parties. If only 25 percent of all persons with disabilities with a registered vote cast their vote along with one other (brother, sister, husband, wife) in favour of the same party, that is worth 30 seats in the national assembly.
We are an asset to society, not a burden.
Society must now include us. Accessible transport and infrastructure are the critical elements of our freedom.
This freedom month must soon give us reason to celebrate.
We would rather go to war with someone who is blind and cannot see than someone who has no vision.
We would rather go to war with someone who is deaf and cannot hear than someone who does not listen.
We would rather go to war with someone who cannot walk than someone who does not walk their talk.
Show us that you have vision. Show us that you listen. Show us the you walk your talk.
In this summit, we expect answers, strategy, political will and outcomes that will see us mobile, experience freedom, have access to schools, skills and employment and the opportunity to see South Africa.
Viva disabled people. Viva!
Thank you.
The event can be joined through the live stream:
