Transport changes sought for people with special needs

PEOPLE living with disabilities can work and contribute to national development if the transport system is improved to cater for them, says a representative.
People with Disability Association president Ipul Powesiu called for a public transport service for people with special needs during the public transport workshop in Port Moresby last Friday.
“A research must be done to find out how people with disabilities deal with the public transport and how it can be improved so that they are included in normal everyday life,” Powesiu said.
She said people with disabilities can contribute to development if given the chance.
She said simple things such as the bus driver calling out the names of bus stops could help a blind person inside.
“We have to find ways to get people on wheelchairs the same opportunity to freely use public transport,” she said.
Powesiu – representing people living with disabilities – made recommendations to the transport ministry and National Capital District Commission on how they could be helped.
The Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council conducted the workshop to collect recommendations for the government.