Passenger with special needs

Universal design is an approach to create an environment that meets the needs of all potential users to the greatest extent possible, including passengers with special needs. Taking into consideration the diverse abilities of individuals, such as agility, balance, cognition, coordination, endurance, and other factors; it emphasises inclusive design required to ensure participation and access for all. In the context of the sprawl of settlements in KwaDukuza and long distances between nodes, this particularly highlights access to public transport modes for all users.

The Census 2011 revealed that the one sub-group of the above (persons with difficulties in seeing, hearing, walking, communication) accounts for around 18% of the total population within KwaDukuza.

It is clear that transport planning therefore should include provisions for special categories of passengers, as people with physical disabilities are the most affected by access to transportation and public transport in particular. Provision should be made for example, dropped kerbs on sidewalks with obstructions placed in the centre (e.g. poles) and tactile paving for pedestrians with impaired sight, create difficulties for the user to access the sidewalk.

In general, accessible design requires the elimination of obstacles within the route of travel. Planning should incorporate universal access design principles that will assist special categories of passengers to move comfortably from one place to another. The municipality should promote universal accessibility in all existing and new transport modes, facilities, and infrastructure, to the benefit of the full spectrum of users with special needs.