The Department of Transport has encouraged members of the public to participate in its annual travel survey on the accessibility of all transport systems to people with disabilities, older people, women and children.
Parents and caregivers
“Parents of children are encouraged to complete the survey on behalf of their child. Assistants to persons with disabilities are also encouraged to do so. [They must do so] with the person with a disability whom they assist,” the department said on Thursday.
The purpose of the travel survey is to benchmark progress in rolling out the White Paper on National Transport Policy 2021. It indicates that all forms of transport must be universally accessible.
Important link for participation
“We invite anyone who receives this survey who does not fall into the above categories. [They are urged] to please pass the link onto those who do. The link is: https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/xum3p8pV
“This travel survey is run in partnership with the information and communications technology (ICT) Subcommittee on Universally Accessible Transport. The subcommittee meets with the Department of Transport quarterly,” the department said.
This year’s results will be shared with the Presidential Working Group for Persons with Disabilities. The President has endorsed a drive to speed up the process to make transport accessible to all.
Addressing country’s changing transport dynamics
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said: “Public policy-making processes are by their nature cumbersome. They also have to be inclusive and a myriad of competing interests need to be addressed and, to an extent, satisfied.
“I am pleased to say that the Review of the White Paper on National Transport Policy of 1996 has largely been an inclusive process. It is through the articulation of this over-arching transport policy document that we intend to shape the future of transport in our country. The 1996 White Paper was the blue-print from which many policies, strategies and plans emerged.
“It is through the Revised White Paper on National Transport Policy that we commit ourselves as government to work tirelessly to address the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
“Strategies that come out of these policy pronouncements are aimed at using transport to create jobs. To stimulate rural economies and be accessible to all, including the disabled people of our country,” said the minister.
- –SAnews.gov.za
