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Impact of lived experiences of people with disabilities in the built environment in South Africa

McKINNEY, Victor
AMOSUN, Seyi L.
August 2020

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Background: In spite of legislations and policies to ensure an inclusive society in South Africa for the accommodation of people with disabilities, there are reports that they still struggle to move freely within society.

 

Objectives: As part of a larger qualitative exploratory study on the preparation of undergraduate civil engineering students in a local university to contribute to the development of an inclusive society, this article seeks to understand the impact of the lived experiences of people with disabilities in their interaction with the built environment.

 

Method: Four persons with disabilities, considered to be knowledgeable about South African legislations relating to disability, were purposely selected to each share one specific experience whilst interacting with the built environment. The transcribed texts of the interviews were analysed by using the phenomenological–hermeneutic method.

 

Results: The participants exhibited strong desires to participate in society. However, the sense of loss of control and independence as they encountered challenges in the built environment changed the euphoria to disempowerment, rejection, anger and despondency. In spite of their experiences, participants expressed a commitment towards overcoming the challenges encountered in the broader interest of people with disabilities.

 

Conclusion: A deeper understanding of the impact of the experiences of people with disabilities when they participate within the built environment in South Africa revealed a broad spectrum of negative emotions, which may impact the quality of life and well-being of the participants.

 

 

African Journal of Disability, Vol 9, 2020

Commuting and communication: An investigation of taxi drivers’ experiences, attitudes and beliefs about passengers with communication disorders

GREEN, Sianne
MOPHOSHO, Munyane
KHOZA-SHANGASE, Katijah
2015

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Background: One of the most popular means of public transport within South Africa is mini-bus taxis.

 

Objectives: As South Africa is made up of diverse cultures, religions and beliefs, the aim of this study was to explore Johannesburg based taxi drivers’ experiences of beliefs about, and attitudes towards passengers who have a communication disability.

 

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 mini-bus taxi drivers.

 

Results: Interviews revealed that almost all the taxi drivers had encountered passengers with a communication disability, and had an awareness of passengers with a hearing disability as opposed to a speech disability. Furthermore mini-bus taxi drivers generally held a positive view of their passengers with a communication disability.

 

Conclusion: Study findings contribute to existing literature within the fields of speech pathology and audiology, advocacy groups and policy makers, particularly research studies on participation experiences of persons with communication disabilities related to transportation access. The results of the study should also provide a foundation for disability policy development initiatives with the aim of increasing levels of public awareness.

International best practices in universal design : a global review

DION, Betty
et al
August 2007

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This review provides an international overview of the technical information on accessibility criteria for the built environment that is being used by countries as they prepare to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The document compares the accessibility codes and standards from 16 international jurisdictions, including the new standards from Canada and the USA, as well as standards from Mexico, Uruguay, Sweden, Ireland, Spain, South Africa, Bangladesh, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Lebanon

The role and effectiveness of disability legislation in South Africa

DUBE, Andrew K
March 2005

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This report explores how South African legislation protects the rights of people with disabilities. Government policies have the potential to address key issues such as access to employment, poverty alleviation, access to education and social services and better housing. The report findings show that while the South African government has been active in creating well-designed policies, their implementation has been less successful, due to a lack of funded strategies, resources and capacity. The study discusses in some detail each policy, including the Skills Development Act (SDA) and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (2000)

Enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities living in urban areas

VENTER, C
et al
2002

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People with disabilities constitute a significant proportion of the poor in developing countries. If internationally agreed targets on reducing poverty are to be reached, it is critical that specific measures be taken to reduce the societal discrimination and isolation that people with disabilities continue to face. Transport is an important issue. This paper aims to further the understanding of the mobility and access issues experienced by people with disabilities in developing countries and to identify specific steps that can be taken to start addressing problems; produce a compendium of guidelines that can be used by government authorities, advocacy groups and agencies to improve the access to transport. The investigation into mobility needs was conducted in five case study countries: India, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique and South Africa

Improving transport access and mobility for people with disabilities in the developing world

MAUNDER, D
et al

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This paper is based on a three-year research programme undertaken in India, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa. It examines the links between disability, poverty and mobility; mobility and access needs; current international accessibility practices; and the demonstration projects themselves. It concludes with a progressive framework describing the basic transition that has been observed in transition and developing countries with regard to the development of responses to access and mobility needs of passengers with disabilities

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