Transport, poverty and disability in developing countries
Abstract
Inclusive transport is a critical element in a comprehensive strategy of mainstreaming people with disabilities in developing countries. Transport systems that exclude people with disabilities virtually guarantee that people with disabilities will be poor, since such systems may well preclude education, prevent participation in the labor market, and restrict access to health and other social services. Apart from creating income poverty for people with disabilities, exclusive transport systems also deprive people with disabilities of social, cultural and political opportunities. When analyzing the environment with regard to transport and disability, two main perspectives need to be considered. These perspectives are access to and accessibility of the built environment. Access to the built environment includes the possibility of all people to reach all places within the built environment. Accessibility of of the built environment includes the possibility of all people to maneuver and make use of the built environment in an unassisted way. Good guidelines for policy and planning decisions are essential for creating and maintaining accessible environments for all people including different disability groups. The consideration of accessibility to all people with disabilities has not been given significant priority in development and construction plans in developing countries to date. However, some developing countries are experiencing rapid economic growth which leads to industrialization and urbanization and thus to accelerating construction. Other developing countries have suffered the destruction of armed conflict or natural disasters, and hence enter a period of rapid construction. Consequently, special attempts should be made to incorporate the access needs of people with disabilities in this construction work. A number of countries have already recognized this demand and started to promote actions related to a barrier-free built environment for different disability groups.