SINGAPORE: Waiting for the bus can make Mr Mikail Wong feel anxious.
The 44-year-old became a wheelchair user due to a spinal injury two years ago, and sometimes thinks he’s “a bit troublesome” to other commuters.
“When I’m going to take the bus, other commuters might look at me. I feel paiseh (embarrassed in Hokkien) ... Am I hindering others? Am I causing trouble to them? Luckily we wear masks. If no mask, even more paiseh,” he shared with CNA.
Rainy days have been the greatest challenge thus far, as Mr Wong would have to map out another route to his destination.
“Those places that we go are quite regular, but for new places ... we don’t know whether there’s shelter along the way or whether there's a slope or ramp. I might need to go a longer distance to the next slope or ramp, and get wet in the rain,” he said.
Then there was the time a bus captain accidentally dropped the wheelchair ramp while lowering it during a rainy day – splashing rainwater all over Mr Wong.
As Mr Wong recounted the incident during a public bus confidence course jointly conducted by SPD (a local charity that serves people with disabilities) and transport operator Tower Transit Singapore, he laughed it off. But his frustration was evident.
The course, which is free and open to the public, was launched last year to help people with mobility challenges regain their confidence in travelling on public buses.
With the recent push for Singapore’s public transport to be more inclusive during the Ministry of Transport’s Committee of Supply debate in March, such courses could play a more significant role.
Course participants learn how to board and alight from a bus safely. Importantly, the psychological impact of acquiring a disability and becoming a wheelchair user, especially as an adult, isn’t glossed over.
More at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sin...s-bus-ramps-disabled-public-transport-2646311
