Assessing the inclusion of people with physical disabilities in the Ethekweni transport system : a case study of Umlazi District, Z Section.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the inclusion of people with disabilities in the transport system of eThekwini Municipality, specifically people living in Z section of Umlazi Township. A mixed method of research was executed with a sample of participants selected using both Snowball Sampling and Random Sampling methods. The participants consisted of residents of Umlazi with disabilities, their immediate family members, community members, local councillors, local taxi operators and municipal employees (particularly those from the Department of Transport). The findings revealed that people with disabilities facing challenges of mobility and transportation, which negatively affect all spheres of their lives, but most importantly the perception of these people by those surrounding them greatly influenced these challenges in the sense that they are seen as liabilities particularly by taxi operators. Recommendations that have been described focus on policy enforcement and inclusive planning, that would take care of their needs and eliminate some of these perceptions.