THE ROLE OF NCPDRS (NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ON ROAD SAFETY-TANZANIA) IN ENHENCING TRANSPORT FOR DISABLED PERSONS

Authors: 1. KABATELLE R.JUTORAM

Chairman NCPDRS., Dar es salaam,Tanzania:

Email,

2.CHENI N. HAMISI,

G.Secretary- NCPDRS., Dar es salaam, Tanzania:

3. MR. KAPALATA S. OMARI

Public Relation Officer NCPDRS. Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Email:

SUMMARY

In June 2011, the World Bank and World Health Organization (WHO) released the 1stWorld Report on Disability which indicated that 15 percent of adults worldwide had moderate disability, while 2-3 percent had severe disability. The report further indicated that five percent of children worldwide (93 million) had moderate disability, while 7 percent (13 million) had severe disability. Females had a higher prevalence of disability than males. The prevalence of disabilities around the world will be increasing in the future because of global ageing trends.

Basing on thatreport, Mr. Jutorum Kabatele a disabled person in 2006 conducted a research on road accidents; He managed to interview 1200 disabled persons in 5 regions of Tanzania. The result revealed that 96% of disabled persons are unaware of the rights on the road safety. As pedestrians, car drivers, theyhad no knowledge on road traffic signs, traffic laws and regulations. Hence Mr. Kabatele mobilized a group of people with disabilities in Tanzania and decided to register a non Governmental Organization in the name of National Committee for Persons with Disabilities on Road Safety (NCPDRS)

The institutioncraftedFive Disabled Road Signs namely, physical impaired person, sight impaired persons, Albino persons, hearing impaired persons, and mental impaired person. Aiming at rising awareness on providing knowledge on road safety and travelling.

PURPOSE OF STUDY.

The purpose of this study is to show the relationship between transport consumers’ knowledge and reduction of accidents which lead to disabilities. However, the study aims at highlighting the role of NCPDRC in assisting people with disabilities in Tanzania to have access to transport by crafting traffic signs according to Tanzanian roads and environment. In Tanzania70% of Persons with Disabilitieshave either tricycle or motor vehicle. Many of them however do not have proper training in how to use vehicles.

MATERIALS AND /METHODS.

Physical handicapped persons:

A symbol for a physical handicapped is a person who is seated on a wheelchair.

Sight impaired persons

A symbol for a Blind person is white cane; the sight impaired person normally uses this cane to lead his/her way. It is the special cane for a blind person, therefore is the main symbol for a Blind person.

Albino persons:

A symbol for a person whose skin doesn’t sustain sunlight (Albino) is the use of umbrella or a cap of dish – like type for protecting against sunlight. Therefore umbrella is the main symbol for Albino.

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Hearing impaired persons:

The ear is their main symbol for a hearing impaired person for being and dumb, therefore the main symbol for deaf is ear.

Mental impaired persons:

A person with mental impairment is the one who lacks insight being due to illness or accident, this person is called mental handicapped. Therefore his/her symbol is human head drawn a crossing line between face and rear, that is the main symbol of a mental handicapped person.

EXPECTED RESULTS

*To raise public awareness on the right of persons with disabilities to road safety.

*To mobilize the community to help persons with Disabilities to use roads with safety, freedom and facility.

*To monitor the Persons with Disabilities to have insurance for the vehicles and for the Persons with Disabilities in driving the vehicles.

*To monitor and conducting training for persons with disabilities on how best to use the vehicles and in driving. Because there are no driving school for Disabled in Tanzania.

* To design, and put Road signs which indicate the all five categories of disabled persons.

DISCUSSION

96% of the 200 Persons with Disabilities interviewed are neither unaware of their right to Road Safety nor of the Road signs Traffic Laws and regulations.

Although the majority of them are unaware of their right neither to Road Safety nor of the road signs and Traffic law they daily use the roads either as pedestrians, drivers of tricycles, motorcycles or cars.

Moreover the majority of the public including traffic controllers/police and drivers are not aware on the rights of persons with disabilities on the roads. As a result every year 10 – 18 persons with disabilities are knocked by cars and if they survive the accidents they sustain with injuries for life and cause more disabilities.

Photos show nationally participation in exhibitions and problems facing disabled on travelling.

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CONCLUSION.

Up to now, the work of the 5 type of Road signs is complete and got authority from the Government TANZANIA and ministry of infrastructure to be used and attracts National interest since there are no road traffic signs designed for people with Disabilities. We believe that, if everyone follow and a bid to traffic laws and regulations – the Accidents will be reduced to maximum.

REFFERENCES

1. World Report on Disability -http//whqlibdoc.who.int/

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