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Rural Transport and Disability
IFRTD OPINIONS FAIR 2007 - MAY WINNER:
Mac Mashiri (South Africa)Rural transport and disability: Bridging the access divide
In rural areas of developing countries, persons with disabilities [PWD] are physically, socially, and economically isolated. Isolation brings with it an array of effects which invariably constrain their socio-economic development, for instance, access to employment opportunities, public sector services, schools, clinics, agricultural extension, and so on, are severely restricted. As a result, isolated individuals tend to build elaborate cocoons around themselves, and the more they look inward, the less likely they are able to grasp new opportunities for socio-economic advancement.
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It is not disability but the system which makes a person disabled
by Vardhani Ratnala
Rural Transport is a major issue in India. Although, three fourths of India’s population of 1000 million lives in rural areas, only 55% of the villages are connected with Fair Weather Roads (National Transport Policy Committee Report). The main transport modes seen in rural areas are government operated buses, railways and private vehicles like autos (3-wheeler), rickshaws, bullock-carts, jeeps, tractors, etc.
Rural India is not just plagued by bad roads but also few and infrequent transport services. These factors combined with the fact that the entire transport system is inaccessible to disabled persons, make traveling a stupendous task for a disabled person living in rural areas. To illustrate the problems faced by a disabled person, here’s an example with one of the most common transport modes, the government bus.
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