Seminar “Meeting Transportation Access for Diverse Needs”
The provision of public access to development process (social, economic and political) and self-development opportunities is the state’s obligation to its citizens. Access to transport infrastructure is a key to increased mobility and community participation. Nowadays, however, public transport services, infrastructure and fares, have not been optimal.
Nowadays, people who are awarded with good health, both physically and mentally, find some difficulties in accessing public transport infrastructure. Most of them prefer to use private vehicles. Those with disabilities, who are also have the right of transportation, certainly they have more difficulties in accessing transport infrastructure. Hence, the state has the obligation to provide good transportation infrastructure that can serve all of the citizens.
As known, in Indonesia, there are 2.8 million people with disabilities in 2013 amounted (source: Ministry of Social Affairs in Antara News). Meanwhile, in Yogyakarta it self, there are 29.220 people in 2011 (source: Social Agency of Yogyakarta Province). People with disabilities are also has the right for transportation, the right to be free to go wherever and whenever.
Inadequate public transportation infrastructure and has forced disabled people to mobile themselves using modified motorized vehicles. Most them, however, do not have a driving license as a requirement to drive a motor vehicle on the highway. According to Prof. Dr. Danang Parikesit, having a driving license is the”first entry” to an individual right to drive a vehicle. This phenomenon occurs because the design of the existing public transport does not allow the implementation of services and rates that can serve all citizens in the country or referred as “universal access”.
In 2014, there are + -700 people with disabilities who propose to have a driving license in Yogyakarta province (source: Disabled Motorcyclist Community). By having the license, they will have the opportunity to make a big difference in their life, including; Independence in social life, opportunities to find a job and work, as well as the freedom to go wherever and whenever.
In response to the related issue, on 29 September 2014 at the Lower Main Room, office of Yogyakarta City Major, Center for Transportation and Logistics Studies (Pustral-UGM) with Disabled Motorcyclist Community (DMC) and United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) – Weels for Indonesian Humanity held a seminar entitled “Meeting Transportation Access for Diverse Needs”.
The seminar presented Prof. Dr. Danang Parikesit (Pustral-UGM), dr. Guritno Sp. KFR. (Academic Hospital of UGM), AKBP Tulus Ikhlas Pamoji (Director of Yogyakarta Province Traffic Police) and Dr. Gede Pasek Suardika (Director of Land Transport Safety, Ministry of Transportation of Republic of Indonesia) as the speakers. Participants who attended the seminar came from various backgrounds; academics, relevant office holders, police, and disabled people.
As a final note of the activity: Government (Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Industry and Police) must come up with operational regulations related to the fulfillment of transportation access for special needs. The regulation should concern about vehicle design, infrastructure design, and related regulations for driving lisence acquisition for those with special needs. (Listi & Muadz)