The Eastern Cape Department of Transport will launch its rollout programme of a sign language awarenesscampaign for bus and operators at Mount Ayliff taxi rank today.
The Eastern Cape Department of Transport will launch its rollout programme of a sign language awarenesscampaign for bus and operators at Mount Ayliff taxi rank today.
The launch will be linked with the Departmental Exhibition Programme, which seeks to take government services to the people. Launched on 14 March 2008 by the Special Programmes Unit and Public Transport in the directorate, the project serves as a guide to eradicate all forms of marginalisation and discrimination against people with disabilities in the public transport sector.
The main objective of the programme is to create awareness through workshops targeting taxi and bus drivers, regarding a friendly and accessible public transport system towards people with disabilities, especially those who are deaf and blind and require more effective sign language interpretation.
This follows deliberations with Disabled South Africa, who concluded that shortcomings were notified in communication with bus and taxi operators in regard to people with disabilities.The identified factors included:
• Operators not understanding sign language at terminal points for deaf people
• Operators who are negligent and not obeying disability loading and parking bay regulations
• Protection and courtesy towards disabled commuters With the 2010 Soccer World Cup fast approaching, the department believes that the project can assist to prepare public transport services providers, because people from all walks of life will be in the country and our province. The campaign will further be rolled out to Njoli taxi rank, Cacadu and Aliwal North taxi ranks and Ukhahlamba.
