Yesterday, 15 October 2019, the City of Johannesburg commemorated World White Cane Safety Day aimed at recognising the abilities of the blind and partially blind.
The World White Cane Safety Day is observed annually on 15 October. Yesterday’s event, in partnership with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and Rea Vaya, also highlighted the importance of access to transport for the blind.
For blind people, the white cane is an essential tool that provides the ability to achieve a full and independent life. It offers the blind the ability to move freely and safely from place to place.
“The ability to travel safely and independently is a critical issue in our City. We all want to get to our destinations in the safest and quickest way possible. It is no different for persons who are blind or partially sighted,” MMC Phalatse said.
Indeed, the City recognises that more work must be done to ensure that changes in vehicle and environmental design create safer and more hospitable environments not only for the blind and partially blind, but also for all people with disabilities.
On a daily basis, the City’s Persons With Disabilities Unit deals with enquiries from people with disabilities, designers, builders and certifiers, about how to make sure buildings are accessible at a level consistent with the expected norms and standards.
In order to give greater clarity to what is required, the City’s Persons with Disabilities Unit and Rea Vaya is working on a study to develop a Disability Standard on Access to Bus Transit. When completed, this Standard, and corresponding changes to the City’s Bus Transit policies, will provide designers, builders and certifiers with design specifications deemed to meet both national and international requirements.
Preliminary findings are that our buses are accessible, but our bus stops are less so.
“Basic compliance requires that the curb at a bus stop must be level with the low floor of the bus, so that people in wheelchairs, or with other mobility issues, can board easily. It's not much use having an accessible bus, if people with mobility disabilities can't get on board.
“It is important to note that before we took over the administration in 2016, the City did not have a budget for assistive devices or rebates. Today it has become a permanent feature of the budget and is catered for annually.
“This administration has brought about this change in order to provide a better life for our people.
“I wish to thank the City’s Disability Unit and the various agencies and organizations for responding to the call to improve the lives of our people. I also wish to encourage those living with any form of disability, to contact Jessie Mashinini who’s responsible for the City’s Disability Unit on 011 407 7342,” said MMC Phalatse.
Media Enquiries:
Mr Siyanda Makhubo
Stakeholder Manager: Office of the MMC for Health and Social Development
Email: SiyandaMa@joburg.org.za
Cell: 081 548 9078
