Towards a Disability-Inclusive Urban Transport System in Accra and Nairobi: a Policy Practice Agenda (SITUATE)

VREFMAC, Mobility and Access in African Cities

Towards a Disability-Inclusive Urban Transport System in Accra and Nairobi: a Policy Practice Agenda (SITUATE)

EP-2020-MAC-01
Project leader: Dr. Enoch F. Sam,
Dept. of Geography Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana

Partners:

  • Esther Y. Danso-Wiredu, Dept. of Geography Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
  • Prof Samuel Hayford, Dept. of Special Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
  • Dr Michael Munene, School of the Arts and Design, University of Nairobi, Kenya
  • Dr Edwin Oyaro Ondieki, Dept. of Architecture and Building Science, University of Nairobi, Kenya
  • Dr Elizabeth Kanini Wamuchiru, Dept. of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Local Stakeholders and Academic and Practice Advisory Panel

  • Ms Adelaide S. Munyolo, Dept. of Disability Mainstreaming, National Council for People with Disabilities, Kenya
  • Mr Edem Tekpor Gbeckor-Kove, Physical Planning Dept., Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Accra, Ghana
  • Dr Peter Obeng Asamoah- Executive Director, Ghana Blind Union, Ghana
  • Mr Joseph Atsu Homadzi, Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNEEC), Ghana
  • Mr Juventus Duorinaah, Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD), Ghana

Abstract:

The proposed project aims at a comparative analysis of the daily mobility patterns, needs, experiences and challenges of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in accessing urban transport systems in Accra, Ghana and Nairobi, Kenya.

Premised on urban mobility concepts, disability theories and social inclusion of PWDs, the project also intends to explore the implications of these mobility challenges for their social inclusion and ability to function independently in society. There is a lack of proper guidelines to ensure the design and provision of inclusive infrastructure and services that meet the requirements of PWDs. There are also capacity gaps for key institutions dealing with issues of PWDs in creating awareness and implementing structures for their rights and under the international obligations such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of 2006, Article 29 of the Constitution of Ghana (1992), and Article 54 of the Constitution of Kenya (2010) which advocate for inclusivity. These factors among others have been ascertained to negatively affect the travel patterns and general livelihood of PWDs.