This project aims to help improve the quality of life for disabled people, women and children by facilitating access to core facilities such as health, educaiton and employment. By training engineers and technicians from municipalities and consultants in the skills necessary to improve and maintain accessibility for pedestrians and users of public transport the link will encourage inclusive design of infrastructure and transport systems. This will have a disproportionately positive effect on people with disabilities, who constitute at least 10% of the population (this is considered a very low estimate) of whom 60% are considered "poor" and 40% "indigent" (CONADIS 2000). Easier access to markets, employment education and health facilities will not only assist these groups but will also have a powerful impact on women. This is because women tend to take on the bulk of caring roles. Easier access will mean (a) that people with disabilities will need to rely less on carers (b) caring will become easier and (c) the carers will be able to reach assistance and support more easily.
Children will be educated in disability awareness, including the ability to recognise the difficulties faced by people who are unable to function independently in society. We will be providing this education in schools in Lima, Cusco and in Arequipa. These are intended as demonstrator schools which will be used as examples for others to copy. Copies of the materials used will be made available to other schools interested in taking up the subject.
We are also installing a demonstration pedestrian crossing with various
features to assist people with disabilities, including tactile paving as
well as audible and tactile signals. This demonstration site will be used
to show disabled people, municipalities and government what can be done
to help implement the recent legislation aimed at improving accessibility
in Peru.
(Back to the Accessibility and Public Transport
Research at UCL page)