Braving the traffic at Jalan Sungai Dua.
Photo by Wuan.
One of the key concepts of Independent Living for people with disabilities is that they should live in the community instead of in institutions. Humans are social creatures. Disabled persons are no less that. We want to make friends, enjoy a glass of teh tarik at the local mamak stalls or a movie at the cinemas, and generally do everything that the non-disabled do.
Dangerous and inaccessible walkway at Jalan Pekaka.
Photo by Wuan.
One of the main barriers of community living for disabled persons is accessibility. Walkways are constructed without kerb ramps for wheelchairs and the mobility impaired and tactile tiles for the blind and visually impaired. Very often, road signs, lamp posts or post boxes are left smack in the middle of walkways. That not only impedes the passage of wheelchairs but poses a potent danger to the blind when they walk right into it.
Cars parked by the road side at Lorong Pekaka Satu.
Photo by Wuan.
Yesterday, I needed to go to the bank. It is about 1 km from my apartment. Wuan accompanied me. We took the road along Jalan Pekaka, then cut through Makro and down Jalan Sungai Dua towards USM. All along the way, we had to brave speeding traffic. Jalan Pekaka is notorious for traffic accidents and I was half expecting to be hit by a vehicle the entire journey.
Jalan Sungai Dua.
Photo by Wuan.
This fear was exacerbated by a story related to me when I was at Bangkok. Many parts of Bangkok are not accessible. And I noticed that the cars there were being driven at breakneck speed. I asked someone if there ever was an accident involving a wheelchair. Sadly, the answer was positive. A man on a wheelchair was hit by a truck on the road. The truck driver could not see the wheelchair from where he was. The impact threw the man on the wheelchair quite a distance. He was killed instantly.
A flight of stairs was built over a ramp here.
Photo by Wuan.
Crossing to the other side the road at Jalan Sungai Dua was another hazard. Without a pedestrian crossing, we had to practically run across the road to get to the other side. When we reached the bank, I faced another problem. A flight of stairs was built over where a steep ramp once was. Wuan wanted to pull my wheelchair up the steps but I refused. It would be dangerous to her and me if she were to lose her grip or miss a step. I waited by the side of the road while Wuan went into the bank.
Waiting outside the bank under the hot sun.
Photo by Wuan.
The sun was extremely hot. People with spinal cord injury like me have problems regulating body temperature and sweat. I began to feel dizzy as I waited under the blistering heat. Fortunately, the bank has some very helpful and courteous staff. They came out to get me to sign the forms and quickly completed the transaction. The journey back was equally as scary. At times like this, I wished I was back in Japan with her wide walkways and thoughtful drivers.
Inaccessible narrow walkway that even the non-disabled had problems using.
Photo by Wuan.
That is one of the reasons why many people do not see disabled persons out and about. With such dangers lurking at every street corner, we have no choice but stay in or look for alternative transport. Not many of us can afford alternative transport though. Taxis are expensive. Buses are not accessible. Those whose livelihood depended on going out in the street jungle know the risks and still go out anyway. What choice do they have?
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