The international disability organisation Zero Project announced yesterday that it would highlight the MyCiTi policy on universal (special needs) access, as an ‘Innovative Policy 2014’. This will be mentioned in its forthcoming Zero Project Report and on its website. Recognising city transport designed with universal access in mind, confirm’s the city’s status of World Design Capital 2014.
MyCiTi’s universal accessibility policy has officially been named one of the most innovative policies in the world in terms of ensuring that all special needs passengers can make use of the service. The MyCiTi special needs facilities include tactile paving for the blind; boarding bridges to ensure level boarding between the stops, the stations and the bus; audible pedestrian crossings; and safety features including CCTV cameras.
Special needs access is crucial for public transport services in South Africa, where between 10% and 20% of the population is disabled, and one in three households in South Africa is affected by disability.
‘We are delighted that the MyCiTi team’s contribution towards the creation of an inclusive city has been recognised. The announcement coincides with International Day for Persons with Disabilities which is being commemorated today,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town, Councillor Brett Herron.
The news arrived yesterday, on the same day that the City announced the start of a comprehensive three-year universal access audit of transport facilities in Cape Town, to be undertaken by persons with disabilities. The audit of all major CBDs and 220 public transport interchanges is scheduled to start in February 2014.
Special needs passengers include, amongst others, people in wheelchairs, those with hearing and visual impairments, the elderly, young children, people carrying heavy baggage, and women travelling alone at night.
A Zero Project representative informed the City that, after a first pre-selection process, the policy was short-listed as one of the 68 Innovative Policies, and the policy has received widespread support from the Zero Project’s Scientific Advisory Board.
Councillor Herron said this was a great honour and a recognition of how the MyCiTi team have gone out of their way to implement best international practice and then pioneered further to develop much-needed innovations.
‘Our universal access facilities are being acknowledged by cities as far afield as Bangkok, who have been in touch with us to ask for more information, and have expressed their admiration for what has been achieved in a developing country,’ said Councillor Herron.
Transport for Cape Town, which launched late last year, has set a high standard for universal access.
The MyCiTi universal access experts have been invited to present the policy at the third Zero Project Conference 2014, taking place on 27 and 28 February 2014 at the United Nations in Vienna, Austria.
Background information
The Zero Project, initiated by the Essi Foundation and organised in partnership with the World Future Council, advocates the rights of people with disabilities internationally. Its mission is ‘working for a world with zero barriers’. For more information visit their website
PLEASE vote for mapmyway and Cape Town Green Map for the SA Blog Awards – voting opened on Monday 2 December. Just click on the button on their respective home pages.
