[sustran] Briefing sheet on disability access

[SUSTRAN Resource Centre]

At 17:08 27/02/99 +0000, you wrote:
>Please e-mail a copy of the 2 page briefing sheet on TIPS ON ACCESS TO
>PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
>
>Many thanks

Dear Pascal

Here is the briefing sheet, which is from a US-based organisation called
Access Exchange International. It is in plain text here since I want to cc
this to the sustran-discuss list. I'll also send the formatted (rtf) version. 

Paul.



Access for Persons with Disabilities to Public Transit: 
Practical Steps for Less Wealthy Countries

by Access Exchange International

Based on their successful use in different countries, here are some "first
steps" towards the development of accessible transportation for persons
with disabilities in less wealthy countries. Some of these ideas are
virtually without cost, others are very low-cost, while some are moderate
cost. Not all are relevant in any given situation, but they represent
"first steps" on the road to accessible transportation.

No-cost or very low-cost

1. Access to the built environment: Advocate that all new construction of
buildings and transit stations be accessible to disabled persons (curb
ramps, ramps to entrances, properly designed bathrooms, etc.). If it is
possible to obtain legislation requiring such access, print and distribute
recommendations, provide directories of facilities that are in compliance
and encourage people to patronise them, etc.

2. Provide public transit information in accessible formats: Braille,
cassette tape, and large print are examples.

3. Provide low-cost aides to assist semi-ambulatory passengers to use
transit vehicles: examples include more vertical stanchions, well located
handles on doors of vehicles, or steps or rails painted in "safety yellow".
Note that these improvements would be welcome by all passengers!

4. If needed, provide larger print destination signs in buses to assist
passengers with low- vision. Again, all passengers would benefit.

5. Train bus drivers to call out stops for blind passengers. If this is
impractical on crowded buses, it may be more practical at off-peak hours.

6. Invite members of the disability community--and especially blind
persons--to familiarize themselves with a bus in non-revenue service, to
assist in boarding and riding on the vehicle when it is crowded.

7. Provide "travel tips" to the disabled community, concerning the times
and places where vehicles may be less crowded.

Moderate cost

8. For door-to-door services, consider modifying taxis with ramps for use
by wheelchair riders.

9. When obtaining new or replacement vehicles, consider low-floored models
which are now used more and more in Western Europe and Canada. In all
events, make sure replacement buses have wide enough doors to admit
passengers with mobility aids such as walkers.

10. Consider ramped raised platforms at key stops to board buses and trams.
A lightweight bridge can be attached to the platform, or it may be stored
on board the vehicle (as is done in Curitiba, Brazil, and in San Francisco
and Sacramento, California in the USA). The driver then positions the
bridge to span the gap between the raised platform and the floor of the
transit vehicle.

11. Consider the installation of ramps or relatively low-cost wheelchair
lifts on locally manufactured buses. Companies in the USA and elsewhere
offer a wide range of products.

12. Perhaps side-cars or trailers can be attached to modified motorbikes or
motorcycles, designed for use by a passenger riding a wheelchair. In some
countries, this may be an alternative when lift- or ramp-equipped vans are
not available. Non-motorized vehicles can also be modified to carry
passengers with disabilities.

13. Consider a subsystem of buses dedicated just for use by persons with
disabilities and elders. This is not ideal, but in extremely crowded
transit systems it may be one answer to providing a transit option during
peak hours.

14. Consider some variation of the "service route" concept developed in
Sweden and now used in some cities in the USA and elsewhere. This system
uses smaller accessible vehicles which serve all passengers on routes of
special interest to elders and persons with disabilities.

15 Start with small pilot projects and learn from them. For example, make
two key sites on one bus line accessible with raised platforms. In some
cities, two Metro stations (e.g., at the ends of a line) could be made
accessible by ramp or elevator. Start a small accessible van feeder service
to the bus stops or Metro stations. Remember to check with disability
groups to learn what they really need! 

Accessible transportation is built over many years. Small projects capture
the attention of the public, provide credit for transit agencies, and set
the stage for public support for funding of larger projects in the future.
Often such public support also helps transit agencies to develop a better
community base for other funding as well.

For further information, contact:  
Access Exchange International, 
112 San Pablo Avenue, 
San Francisco, 
CA 94127, USA. 
Telephone:  +1 415  661  6355, 
Fax: +1  415 661  1543, 
E-mail: globalride-sf at worldnet.att.net


SUSTRAN Resource Centre
P. O. Box 11501,
50748 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel/Fax: +60 3 274 2590,  E-mail: sustran at po.jaring.my
Web: http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/2853/
The SUSTRAN Resource Centre hosts the Secretariat of SUSTRAN
(the Sustainable Transport Action Network for Asia & the Pacific).