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Lived transportation barriers for persons with disabilities: Contextualizing the Ghana disability law through the lenses of Giddens' theory of structuration.

Authors :
Alimo, Philip Kofi
Agyeman, Stephen
Agen-Davis, Lawrencia
Hisseine, Mahamat Ali
Sarfo, Isaac
Source :
Journal of Transport Geography. Jun2024, Vol. 118, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Although researchers and policymakers have proposed several ideas for improving the travel experiences of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), they still face several barriers, especially in developing countries. This calls for a new sociological perspective aimed at contextualizing local disability policies and theories to create a disability-friendly society. This paper contextualizes the Ghana disability law through the lenses of Giddens' theory of structuration for the first time to understand the lived transportation barriers for PWDs. Questionnaire surveys involving 664 PWDs with physical, visual, auditory, and speaking impairments, key informant interviews, and field observations were triangulated. Results showed that all agents and structures, namely discrimination/facility managers' attitude, driver attitude, pedestrian behavior, design of facilities, and accessibility, are creating transportation barriers for PWDs in Ghana. Participants voiced exclusion from the design and implementation of transport facilities. Notably, discriminatory attitudes from commuters, drivers, and facility managers make PWDs feel marginalized. The lack of disability-friendly public buses/paratransit services and assistive technologies impedes PWDs' mobility to work, school, and health facilities. These findings show that although the Ghana disability law makes provisions for PWDs' mobility needs, there is weak enforcement. Thus, beyond improving infrastructure and access for PWDs, societal reorientation and enhanced enforcement of the laws are needed to foster empathy towards PWDs. The reorientation-based approach requires enhanced public sensitization, law enforcement, and regular consultation of PWDs in transport planning to improve the social order. [Display omitted] • Investigated transportation barriers for persons with disabilities in Ghana. • Contextualized the Ghana disability law through the lenses of Structuration Theory. • Disabled persons are excluded from transportation infrastructure design. • Disability-friendly paratransit services and assistive technologies are lacking. • Non-disabled commuters and facility managers marginalize disabled persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
09666923
Volume :
118
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Journal of Transport Geography
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
178733998
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2024.103924