Road transport infrastructure and mobility: Views of students with physical disability in the University of Cape Coast

Abstract

Though the Persons of Disability Act 715 calls for the provision of an accessible environment, attention on the mobility needs of commuters with disability has focused on persons with disability access to public buildings like library without paying attention to the walking environment connecting the homes of commuters to these public facilities. This study was carried out to examine the road transport infrastructure and mobility needs of students with physical disability in UCC. Specifically, the study sought to assess the extent of physical barriers that impede the movement of students with physical disability, determine the extent of usage of university shuttles by students with physical disability and examine the roles of stakeholders in providing accessible facilities. A sample of 28 visually impaired, 1 wheelchair user and 3 key stakeholders were engaged in the study. The visually impaired were selected by the use of snowballing and the rest were purposively selected. The results revealed that, the dominant passenger facility on campus was the sidewalk but these sidewalks were saddled with path obstructing objects such as potholes and electric poles. When it comes to crossing aids, none of the traffic lights on campus was augmented with audible transmitters to aid the visually impaired. With reference to the passenger environment, the absence of a documented policy to offer free ridership to these students provided the platform for drivers of privately owned shuttles to deny these students from enjoying free shuttles services. The study recommends documentation and enforcement of the free shuttle services for students with disability as well as the modification of the existing pedestrian and passenger facility.