Association For Persons With Disabilities - Free State, South Africa

Accessible Transport

Provides transport for social and economic empowerment activities.  Only 10% government provision/ budget for accessible public transport.  There is a need for a door-to-door service.  Persons with Disabilities do not have the ability to “walk” to the pick-up point.  Persons with Disabilities are soft targets.  Blind persons must be taken into the buildings where they are dropped off and orientated firmly with regard to their surroundings.

Types of Aid used

• Walking stick
• Crutches
• Wheelchair (manual)
• Wheelchair (motorised)
• Callipers
• Guide dog
• Other

Types of Disabilities

• Muscular dystrophy
• Quadriplegic
• Spina Bifida
• Cerebral Palsy
• Arthritis
• Amputee
• CVA Stroke
• Paraplegic
• Blind
• Deaf
• Mentally disabled
• Multi-disabled
• Visually Impaired
• Other

Types of Trips offered:

• Persons who need to be transported to their location of income generation;
• Persons being transported to and from training institutions projects.
• Persons needing medical or paramedical treatment.
• Persons needing social services or therapy.
• Socializing, shopping, sports and church activities.

 APD Free State using the Toyota Quantum to transport a person with a disability.

 
A person with a disability making use of the Interstate Bus Lines accessible bus.

One of the accessible vehicles of APD Free State.

Hand Control Vehicle – Partnership Project with National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to create a “Disability Free State Tourism Experience”

Partnerships

Bus Routes:

• Interstate Bus Lines (IBL) in Bloemfontein

The need for accessible transport in South Africa in general and in the Free State province specifically is significant.  The South African legislative framework and associated standards and guidelines framework is good.  The challenge is to set up a viable and sustainable accessible transport programme.  We have shown what it would require to establish such a programme and have also shown what the APD FS has done in this regard to date.  The APD Free State has a long and reliable track record in service delivery to and for persons with disabilities and is ideally positioned to be a leading partner in an accessible transport programme.

• Lindsay Saker Partnership

In March 2008 the Association for Persons with Disabilities received a great sponsorship from Lindsay Saker VW in Bloemfontein. A new VW Transporter was sponsored to mainly transport residents from Jean Webber Home. Lindsay Saker renewed the sponsorship and APD Free State is still using the VW Transporter Bus to transport persons with disabilities in Bloemfontein.

Destinations include church, hospital, clinics and work.

APD – FS is very proud of this partnership and is looking forward to many years of shared service provision to Persons with disabilities.

For any further enquiries, please contact:Jackie Malan

Click here to contact Jackie Malan