IMPROVING Transport FOR Youth WITH DISABILITIES IN CAPE TOWN Marlene Le Roux, Artscape Charles Rivasplata, San Jose State University Southern African Transport Conference Pretoria, South Africa 10th July 2018

Dedication The authors hereby dedicate this presentation to the memory of Marlene’s son, Adam George, who passed away in August, just short of his 16th birthday. Adam, who experienced severe physical challenges, is an inspiration to us all.

Presentation Outline Introduction Access to Transport Cape Town and Its Transport Methodology Results 6. Conclusion and Recommendations

Introduction Many localities have promoted equity and equality through universal access for all. Planners have identified the need for greater access to local activities. ◦ Developing world - persons with disabilities have limited access ◦ The arts can provide key opportunities to persons with disabilities

It is vital that youth with disabilities are provided with safe, reliable transport. Exposure to the arts can enable social inclusion How can these youth be better connected?

Access to Transport Whilst transport is central to social inclusion, ◦ Many CT townships do not have reliable transport, especially for persons with disabilities ◦ To be all-inclusive, the arts must provide access to all, without exception.

Cape Town Public Transport ◦ Population: 3.7 million ◦ Public transport is most common mode - 54% of all urban trips - rail (62%), minibus (24%), bus (14%) ◦ Persons with disabilities: 7% of pop.

Cape Town MyCiti Bus

Fully Accessible My Citi Minibuses

If we compare travel patterns of adults with disabilities with those of youth with disab. ◦ Over one-third of adult trips are by car and 40% are by public transport ◦ Over half of youth trips are on foot and one- third by car If we compare school trips by youth with disabilities with all school trips ◦ Fewer disabled youth travel by car and more travel by specialized school bus

◦ Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities In Cape Town, a commitment to improve transport for persons with disabilities ◦ Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities ◦ Universal Access Policy – planning, regulation of equal access schemes ◦ “Dial-a-Ride” – serves a relatively small number Most of these youth with disabilities do not benefit ◦ What can be done?

Methodology In examining travel patterns, we sought to: ◦ Depict the travelling experience of performance attendees ◦ Describe options for youth with disabilities ◦ Identify factors influencing travel by these youth A purposive sampling strategy employed registers of attendance

Data collection consisted of the following: ◦ Focus groups and an in-depth interview ◦ Open-ended questions to prompt responses from participants ◦ Document analysis of local government and Artscape Universal Access Team Triangulation of data - interactions with transport encourage youth with disabilities

Results Focus group findings Public transport ◦ Transport was primary challenge identified ◦ Both public and private transport issues Public transport ◦ Difficult for disabled youth to access systems (e.g., access stop, enter vehicles) ◦ Youth require assistance from others ◦ Systems don’t take diverse needs into account

Interview with Black Woman with Disabilities Private transport ◦ barriers to accessing private modes ◦ In general, limited access to these for youth Interview with Black Woman with Disabilities ◦ Persons with disabilities often denied access to minibus taxis (by drivers), often pay double fares ◦ Often, not enough room in public transport vehicles, or on rail platforms in townships [Video Clip of Black Woman with Disabilities]

Document Analysis ◦ Universal Access Policy for Cape Town (2014) - seeks to provide better access for all ◦ Thus far, this effort has - identified roles that rail and bus must play - stressed importance of working with existing modes

◦ My CitiBus has access-friendly vehicles but new routes unable to cover townships - In Khayalitsha, large areas without service ◦ Public sector planners should study the issues voiced in focus groups.

Conclusions and Recommendations Despite Cape Town’s other challenges ◦ Responsibility to provide access to all ◦ Respect commitments to realise benefits (e.g., enhancements) Youth with disabilities still face barriers ◦ Cost – monetary and time burdens ◦ Distance – how far and what modes of travel ◦ Inaccessible facilities – location of stops ◦ Isolation – loss of opportunities/education 18

Cape Town must implement measures that facilitate inclusion of youth with disabilities Cultural institutions need emancipatory programs to empower youth to participate Government must change/adjust existing modes to include youth with disabilities 19

In closing, this paper recommends the following actions: ◦ Integration of persons with disabilities in planning/design/implementation of transport ◦ Adoption of Nat’l Learners Transport Policy: inclusion and subsidised transport for students ◦ More funding for institutions providing accessible transport to persons with disabilities ◦ Flexible transport to all needs of a person with disabilities 20

◦ Support for My CitiBus-minibus taxi integration ◦ Dialogue with minibus taxis serving townships (e.g., more training, enhanced funding) 21

Marlene LeRoux and Charles Rivasplata Thank you! FOR MORE INFORMATION: Marlene LeRoux and Charles Rivasplata c/o charles.rivasplata@yahoo.com 22