Experiences of persons with disabilities in Trinibago

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In other words, everyday life for people within a place is fixed around work, comfort, security, leisure, identity and belonging. This can be applied to cities and people since many live and/or converge in urban areas for various reasons. The key factor is that those individuals have varying backgrounds, education, social status and bodily functions. Work done by behavioural geographers ‘view the body as providing a bridge between the biological and the social, the private and the public.’ (Hall & Barrett, 2012, p247) Therefore the impact of the exclusion through insufficient built environments in which only certain types of body types are accommodated for, will impact negatively on individuals with disabilities. This impact does not only restrict their physical movement due to the design of spaces, but also may cause undue risk and impact their social life, emotional and mental well-being. An inclusive city must become a reality.

Image 1 showing an individual using a wheelchair in PoS

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Sharda Ramlakhan, president of the Consortium of Disability Organisations, and other similar members of society knows that a disability for them is definitely a barrier and it is not because they have to deal with whatever challenges are as a result of their disability. It is mainly due to the employed planning and polices or rather, lack thereof, in Trinidad and Tobago. She states that they do not just have access to jobs, entertainment venues or other establishments but to basic things such as proper toilet facilities and public transport. Sharda Ramlakhan was diagnosed with rare form of muscular dystrophy which affects the muscle and during this time she lived in the United Kingdom (UK) where she worked. When she moved back to Trinidad she noticed a stark difference because in the UK she was catered for by the built environment. One of the main problems remembered on her return to Trinidad was the inability to get a job which highlights the attitudinal behaviours in the country. The organisation that she participates in “is lobbying for better access to public services and tertiary education for people with disabilities.” (Ali, 2013) Although there are initiatives being made by the government such as the Elderly and Differently Abled Mobile (Eldamo) service, they are still limited. She highlights a number of issues that needs to be dealt with and a few measures that can be put in place. However, the ones noted were the attitudinal perceptions of those in authority and the wider public (being treated as charity objects and as having no value) and the lack of consultation between government bodies and individuals with disabilities.

Image 2 showing Ricky Francois is assisted into the new
 Elderly and Differently Abled Mobile (Eldamo) bus service by PTSC .
Source: (Warner, 2012)

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Quote source: (Ali, 2013)

References

 Ali, S. (2013, November 17). Sharda Ramlakhan: Disabled have rights too. Guardian. Retrieved from  http://m.guardian.co.tt/

Hall, T. & Barrett, H. (2012). Experiencing the City. In D. Bell & S. W. Williams (Eds.), Urban Geography (235-259). Abingdon, OX: Routledge.

Warner, T. S. (2012, December 05). Bus service for disabled, elderly launched at Napa. Guardian. Retrieved from http://indepth.guardian.co.tt/news/2012-12-05/bus-service-disabled-elderly-launched-napa