MANGAUNG 2014 ANNUAL DISABILITY TRANSPORT SUMMIT

THEME: “POSITIVE TOWARDS DISABILITY INCLUSION”

Date: 31st October 2014

Classification: Second Report

Prepared by: Mr. Abednego Lehloka

Director

Free State Accessible Transport

NPO Num. 034-499

1. BACKGROUND OF MANGAUNG 2014 ANNUAL DISABILITY TRANSPORT SUMMIT

The speakers focus was on the progress in implementing Disability Rights Charter of South Africa focusing on topics such as:

Article 5 EMPLOYMENT;

Article 9 TRANSPORT; and

Article 10 BUILT ENVIRONEMNT (PART – S)

Discussing achievements, best practices and challenges as well as means of enhancing cooperation to enable persons with disabilities to live independently and to fully participate in all aspects of life,

The discussions also highlighted the importance of accessibility measures for persons with disabilities in order to create inclusive societies for all and explored ways to ensure development agenda which is accessible to and inclusive of persons with disabilities.

2. FSAT PLAN

2.1 Purpose

To establish a forum to serve in an advisory capacity for the planning, optimization, and coordination of transportation resources for the Transport Special Needs Category

2.2 Role

Provide input for mobility & human services transportation planning and prioritizing local needs;

Develop support for coordination;

Seek out best practices and models for coordinated human services transportation;

Outreach programs about access mobility issues and solutions; and

Serve as stakeholders for transport implementation.

2.3 Vision

A regional coordinated transportation system that provides affordable and universally accessible transportation. Advocating on the system that meets community transportation needs and serves passenger with special needs.

2.4 Mission

To optimize and coordinate transportation resources for the greater Mangaung Metropolitan community through a transport awareness representing diverse perspectives

3. TARGET AUDIENCE FOR SUMMIT

The event was attended by 180 individuals who share a common interest in improving the quality of lives for Persons with disabilities and more specifically, these participants were from the following perspectives:

o The academic community (both faculty and students), o Self-advocates (Persons with Disabilities) o Families of those living with disabilities, o Leaders and practitioners from the disability community, o Government officials.

3.1 THEME

MANGAUNG 2014 ANNUAL DISABILITY TRANSPORT SUMMIT

“POSITIVE TOWARDS DISABILITY INCLUSION”

3.2 PRIMARY AUDIENCE

4 PROGRAM DIRECTORS

The Mangaung 2014 Annual Disability Transport Summit that took place on the 31st October 2014. The programme Directors were:

And

Dr Tsatsi Thekisho

Ms Nomsa Mahlangu

5 PROGRAM FOR MANGAUNG 2014 ANNUAL DISABILITY TRANSPORT SUMMIT

ITEM: DURATION: SPEAKER:

- ARRIVAL, REGISTRATION & TEA 09h00 – 09h55

- SHORT SERMON AND PRAYER 09h55 – 10h00 Rev. Malangabe

- INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: FSAT seeks to strengthen the commitment of all stakeholders to protect, respect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities, especially in times of crisis?

10h00 – 10h20 Abednego Lehloka (FSAT)

- WELCOMING: FSAT host the annual disability transport month and the executive mayor will welcome the guest as the first citizen

10h20 – 10h50 Moses Sekakanyo (MMC of Transport)

- PURPOSE: - FSAT seeks to strengthen the commitment of all stakeholders

to protect, respect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities, especially in times of crisis?

10h50 – 11h20 Jerry Magagula (TUGSA)

- PROMOTING ACCESSIBILITY - Explore some innovations that advance successful

implementation. 1. Universal Accessibility and 2. Inclusive Design.

11h20 – 12h00 Amanda Gibberd (Universal Access National Department of Transport)

- IPTN PROJECT WORK: 1. Highlights and findings from IPTN, 2. Which Events are in the pipeline, 3. Which opportunities are for collaboration?

12h00 – 12h30 Mr. George Masoabi (Mangaung Municipality)

BREAK FOR LUNCH

DIFFERENT PRESENTATIONS BY

- SEDA - FDC - PRASA

14h00 – 14h30

14H30 – 14h45

14h45 – 15h00

Sheron Mohale Thandi Chaikela

COMMISSIONS: - Accessible Transport & Infrastructure Accessibility - Economic Participation - Employment

15h00 – 15h15

To be Facilitated by: Andrew, (TUGSA)

BREAK

REPORT BACK ON COMMISSIONS - Accessible Transport & Infrastructure Accessibility - Economic Participation - Employment

15h15 – 15h30

Groups (5 Minutes each Group Report)

- WAY FORWARD AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 15h30 – 15h45 Abednego Lehloka (FSAT)

Rev. Dr. Malangabe Champion:

Mangaung Metropolitan

Mr. Abednego Lehloka Director:

Free State Accessible Transport

& Champion: Mangaung Metropolitan

Hon. Cllr. Moses Sekakanyo

Mangaung MMC Security & Transport

Mr. Jerry Magagula Transport User Group South Africa President

Ms. Amanda Gibberd Dir. Universal Access

National Department of Transport

Mr. George Masaobi GM Strategic Support Mangaung Dept. Of

Economic & Development Planning

6 THE MANGAUNG 2014 ANNUAL DISABILITY TRANSPORT SUMMIT 6.1 EVENT ROLL OUT 6.1.1 THE OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS The official proceedings were carried out in order to open the event with the Ms. Amanda Gibberd doing the main speech addressed to the sector.

6.1.2 THE OFFICIAL WELCOME

The official welcoming of delegates to the MANGAUNG 2014 ANNUAL DISABILITY TRANSPORT SUMMIT was done by Honourable Councillor Moses Sekakanyo (Member of Mayoral Committee for Security & Transport). In his speech, he also addressed:

October as a the annual transport month and awareness about safety as key issues.

Hlasela safety for the festive season has been launched to promote safety on our roads and close all illegal taxi ranks.

Despite having political freedom as carried out by democracy we are not yet free from certain boundaries especially the persons with disabilities, there is still much of a challenge according to statistics in terms of disability employment. The private sector has also not done much to influence a positive change. The same goes for municipalities.

The question to be asked is whether we are doing enough as the people of the country to ensure that all are treated fairly and with dignity as stipulated in our constitution.

How much do we do cater for the disabled, in our investments to better our infrastructure can we say we have enough facilities to cater for those with special needs.

Regarding the Mangaung IPTN, persons with disabilities must be represented. The IPTN is there to ensure that public transport is user friendly for everyone including those with special needs.

6.1.3 PURPOSE OF THE SUMMIT

Mr. Jerry Magagula (TUGSA Chairperson) whom Free State Accessible Transport reports to as the national mother body

mentioned that:

The purpose of this summit is to convince all affected stakeholders who are part of the Mangaung IPTN to be considerate of the disability sector and its needs in the general sector of public transportation

This summit should create an opportunity for the public and the private sectors to partner into, looking at improving transport accessibility for those with special needs.

This function will be carried out annually to highlight the issues that affect the transport needs of the disabled

The provision of compiled reports to track progress is highly recommended. It is true that the government is taking measures to attend to the issues affecting the persons with disabilities. It is also engaging with all persons with special needs in order to make their voice heard.

6.1.4 KEYNOTE ADDRESS

The Keynote Address for MANGAUNG 2014 ANNUAL DISABILITY TRANSPORT SUMMIT was delivered by Ms. Amanda Gibberd (Director – Universal Access at National Dept. of Transport.

In her speech she mentioned that:

S.A is developing IPTN, these networks are created by integration of rail networks, busses and so forth.

There are current existing problems. Inaccessibility to certain types of transport e.g rail, inaccessible on the infrastructure and inadequate customer care services

JOURNEY

To promote Universally Accessible Transport services as contained in the Bill of Rights of 1995 of our constitution and the UN Convention of the rights of people with disabilities.

ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT STRATEGY

Working more on existing transport (e.g. mini busses)

Upgrading the existing transport systems

IRPTN

Geographic

Institutional

Societal.

Mini bus

Rail network

Busses

Also focus on the general improving of customer problems resolutions

PROCESS (TEMPLATE DEVELOPED TO HELP IMPLEMENT SOLUTION)

Solve problems with the operators

Monitoring and evaluation , who must be contacted for assistance and understanding the existing problems

All queries and complaints should be forwarded in writing or by email for correspondence

In establishing the Legislative requirement the following questions need to be asked:

Does the person have a disability and what kind of needs does he/she have

Did discrimination take place regarding disability and was the discrimination reasonable

She also said that taking a step towards the attainability of these goals mentioned above to ensure universal accessibility of transport, an ongoing and updated information will be rolled out.

(Dr. Thekisho - Program Director) also elaborated by saying, that we need to define what we are doing, when we deal with human needs we need a different philosophy and that is establishing the needs of the people. Dealing with human needs cannot be achieved in numbers only, there has to be a common understanding of problems.

6.1.5 IPTN PROJECT WORK PRESENTATION Presentation on IPTN was done by Mr. George Masoabi. In his presentation, he pointed out that:

We are encouraged to consider the points made by our communities and listen to the needs of the people.

The plan is to put out a working plan seeing that some of our development is old and establish whether it is universally accessible and discover what is the experience for everyone in terms of the facilities

Comments are important so that the municipality may improve where it is needed

We are also improving pavements all around the city as the users are very critical

The new road works that have been made, how are they being experienced and what are the challenges. PROCESS OF ADDRESSING THE IPTN

There are many factors including those of compensation of the affected operators

The aim of IPTN is to improve the roads, public transport system and offer world class service KEY ELEMENTS

PHASE 1: BRT PROGRAMME

KEY NMT, BOTSHABELO,THABANCHU AND BLOEMFONTEIN

UPGRADING TRANSPORT FACILITIES

UPGRADING CBD’S NMT IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS

Upgrading the western side of phase 1(Park Road next to offices of persons with disability) the plan is to develop wider sidewalks to cater for the needs of NMT

The BRT stations are made in such a way as to make provision for people on wheelchairs

Roads such as Moshoeshoe are narrow and decisions are being made as to whether there is a need to extend on the side ways

The product at the end of the day should be accessible and usable for all citizens

The designs of the stations made to cater for all individuals including those with special needs PHASE 1

It moves from Batho right down to through to the Rocklands area via Maphisa and Moshoesshoe roads

REMARKS

This information comes from doing community participation, as it is not ideal to assume but to include the views of the people helps achieve a common goal

7. INPUTS AND QUESTIONS To Amanda Gibberd:

In terms of customer care service , when was such a process incorporated , is it only for Mangaung or the entire country as well and does the public sector have the budget to carry out this mission or project and lastly how is the government helping NGO’s with resources? ANSWER: The process is in place currently although there has been no formal documentation of what is being done due to the lack of resources. The funding or resource allocation of NGO’s is referred to social development.

To Amanda Gibberd: “How much budget is being allocated to the disability sector in terms of the IPTN?” ANSWER: It is not specific, but the plan is that the existing infrastructure and the new should have facilities catering for people with special needs. The system should be integrated to accommodate all groups.

8. Other presenters:

Other presenters on the day were from SEDA and FDC and questions and answers were provided for.

9. REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION

A team of nine volunteers were appointed to assist with registration on arrival and helping to dish out the meal as some of the disabled could not help themselves.

10. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

MANGAUNG 2014 ANNUAL DISABILITY TRANSPORT SUMMIT WAS MAID POSSIBLE BY:

FREE STATE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUED MONTHLY SUBSIDY

ACSA MAIN SPONSOR FOR CATERING AND DECO

FDC 5% CONTRIBUTION

MANGAUNG METRO VENUE

SEDA SIGN LANGUAGE INTERVENTION

BCCI AND PREMIER’S OFFICE DISTRIBUTION OF INVITATIONS

GIVON VAN EYK – AM CONSULTING ENGINEERS 2 (TWO) VOLUNTEERS

11. REMARKS It is with confidence and without fear of conflict that we say that the Summit served the desired purpose and shall be improved on its technicality as it progress for the following year. It will also track back on the status of IPTN and other disability related agenda.