eyeway.org : beyond the I : issue 5 : focus : voices of people: transport

Beyond the I masthead
an online magazine from eyeway.org

issue 5 july-august 2005
click here to browse other issues

Voices of People: Transport

Eyeway asked some people what being a blind citizen of India means to them, with a focus on one specific aspect of life.

Sudha Patel, Anand
Project Coordinator for a programme on disabled persons at Sri Jalaram Jan Sewa Trust; was the first-ever blind female Sarpanch of Changa village in Gujarat; won the 'National Award for Outstanding Woman Panchayat Leader of India' in 1999 and the 'Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World Award'

Transport is a huge problem for the visually impaired. There is a complete lack of sensitivity to our needs. The drivers stop buses wherever they feel like, and we have trouble finding our way unless the bus stops at a regular place.

The bus conductors and drivers also have a very negative mindset towards disabled persons. They feel that because we have a free pass on account of our disability, we are travelling for free. Often they do not even tell us where the stop is or that we have reached the stop where we want to disembark. How does one know if one cannot see the landmarks?

And this is not only for visually impaired persons. What about tourists or people who come from other cities, towns and villages? How will they know where to get off the bus? There should be a system where they are required to call out the name of the area the bus stops at.

The other problem with public transport is that they - buses and trains - are very crowded. It is not easy for people with visual or other impairments, or for the elderly. I have noticed this especially in Mumbai.

Of course, some people do help when they see me travelling alone, but mostly people have no time.

Mail this page to a friend