Barrier Free Access
The way in which the environment is developed and organized contributes; to a large extend, to the level on independence and equality that people with disabilities enjoy.
There are a number of barriers in the environment which prevent disabled people from enjoying equal opportunities with non-disabled people. For example: structural barriers in the built environment; inaccessible service points; inaccessible entrances due to security systems; poor town planning; and poor interior design.
The purpose of Section S of the National Building Regulations, and its associated Code 0400 includes regulations setting out national requirements for an accessible built environment. Although this was an important development in the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities, these regulations have been extremely badly administrated and monitored.
Specific problem areas include:
- Planning professionals do not recognize the specific details required in providing a barrier free environment.
- Development agencies do not have clear policies on environmental access. The result is that hundreds of schools, clinics and other public buildings are presently being built with no regard for barrier free requirements.
- Standards prescribed by the National Building Regulations require review. No barrier free design norms have been incorporated in the Public Sector Briefing Document.
- Specialist expertise in the field of barrier-free access is limited in South Africa.
Costs are often cited as the reason for the failure to provide a barrier free environment. Yet, when accessibility is incorporated in the original design, the additional cost does not generally exceed 0,2% of the overall cost of development.
The National Environmental Accessibility Programme (NEAP) was formed in 1993 by the various agencies working in the field of environmental accessibility. It is a programme of action designed to ensure a barrier-free environment – including access to information and communicating, especially for disabled people.
The police objectives are to create a barrier free society that accommodates the diversity of needs, and enables the entire population to move around the environment freely and unhindered.
Mechanisms required to ensure that policy goals are met include:
Inter-Sectoral Collaboration
Personnel training
Self representation
Below some examples of measures taken to make buildings and vehicles accessible to disabled people using wheelchairs.
Access scans/advise
Due to a lack of barrier free access APD, Limpopo has decided to send people for training to assist with Access scans and advice on how to make your physical environment more accessible to person with physical disabilities, blind/visually impaired people, Deaf and people experiencing hearing loss.
APD, Limpopo has specially trained personnel to advise you in making the right changes at the lowest cost possible. For Access scans/advice contact Johnny Graham or Christa van der Walt..
Parking for Persons with Disability
It has once again come to the Association of Persons with Disability (APD) in Limpopo that non-disabled persons, (including disabled persons without permits) are parking their motor vehicles in parking bays reserved for persons with disability that holds valid permits to do so.
Each time that a non-disabled person parks in a parking bay reserved for persons with disability a barrier is created that prevents, that person from freely participating in commerce; and the question may be asked if that non-disabled person would like to have a disability of which the full consequences is often beyond the mobility impairment.
All that people with disability insist on is a barrier free society, based on equal opportunity in which people with disability will live their lives to the fullest.
Are you aware that –
· Proper parking bays reserved for persons with disability are wider than the normal parking bay. This is to accommodate a person to the transfer from the motor vehicle to a wheelchair.
· Parking for persons with disability is provided near to the entrances of buildings to minimise fatigue to persons with severe mobility impairment.
· Parking permits can be obtained if the person is temporally disabled. These permits will be valid for a limited period only.
· Persons with disability pay a fee to obtain or to renew their parking permits.
We therefore urge all non-disabled persons in Polokwane to refrain from using parking bays reserved for persons with disability. Similarly we urge all persons with disability (including those persons who is temporally disabled) to obtain the necessary permit that will entitle them to park in parking bays reserved for persons with disability.
For more information on how to obtain parking permits, kindly contact Ms Trix Nortman at APD, Limpopo Province.
Beach permits
What is the aim of a beach access permit?
To enable persons with a permanent, severe MOBILITY impairment to access beach areas in order to join their families on the beach.
It needs to be noted that the beach permits were not approved to enable sportsmen (e.g. Anglers) to reach fishing spots. Anglers can apply for access to fishing spots via their angling clubs.
Who qualifies?
No formal qualifying criteria were gazetted, as the spirit of the agreement between the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA) and the Department of Environmental Services and tourism (DEAT) embraces guidelines focusing on severe and permanent MOBILITY impairment. In most cases this means that the applicant will use an assistive device like a wheelchair or double crutches to move along.
You will not qualify if:
You are blind, deaf, suffers from medical conditions such as emphysema or other lung afflictions, back or leg problems that make walking difficult, general health or ageing problems like arthritis, etc. Applicants suffering from these conditions CAN STILL WALK – PARALYZED PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS CANNOT WALK AT ALL.
IT NEEDS TO BE NOTED THAT BEACH PERMITS ARE NOT ISSUED TO PEOPLE WHO QUALIFIES AS: DISABLED: ACCORDING TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DEFINITION - THEY ARE ISSUED TO PEOPLE WHO ARE UNABLE TO WALK ON SAND. AS A RESULT OF A PERMANENT, SEVERE MOBILITY IMPAIRMENT.
Where can I obtain the necessary application forms?
The forms can be obtained at the DEAT offices, NCPPDSA, or for the Limpopo Province at the Association for Persons with Disability, Limpopo Province.
Once I have received the forms, where do I start?
Please ensure that the application form is completed in full e.g. all contact details.
Attach a medical report or letter.
Your own medical practitioner must provide a letter stating your type of physical disability and describe the assistive device you are dependant on. (It could be your house doctor, specialist etc.)
A copy of your Identity Document must be submitted with all applications.
I have completed and obtained the necessary the necessary forms and was seen by the APD Panel, what then?
You or the office where you applied at must submit the relevant documents to the NCPPDSA. Please advice them of the tracking number application in order to collect it from the Post Office Counter.
Once the NCPPDSA receives your application, what happens next?
Once they receive the application, they will scrutinize it. If it is in order and in line with the guidelines issued by DEAT they will provide you with their written recommendation in the form of a certificate, which you will have to submit to DEAT together with your completed application form.
Once received by DEAT, what happens next?
DEAT will then process the application and issue the permit directly to the client, provided that the application is successful and complies with the necessary guidelines.
THE PERMIT IS VALID FOR THREE YEARS. AFTER THAT, YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR RENEWAL. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PERMIT IS ISSUED TO THE APPLICANT, AND NOT TO THE CAR OR VEHICLE USED TO DRIVE ON THE BEACH.
Queries
Any queries regarding the permit can be referred to Christa van der Walt or Trix Nortman at the Association for Persons with Disability, Limpopo Province, or to the NCPPDSA
VEHICLE REBATE
1. What is the rebate?
Discount on customs duties on locally produced and imported vehicles
2. Do I qualify?
Before you can start the process, you will need to establish if you do qualify for the rebate.
The qualifying criteria are:
When you will be driving the vehicle yourself a permit will be issued if:
· The vehicle is right hand drive and has been homologated by the SABS to comply with the road safety requirements to register the vehicle with the licensing authorities; and
· Hand controls are to be fitted to the accelerator and brake pedals; or
· Brake and accelerator pedals have to be swapped; or
· Brake and accelerator pedals have to be extended
When you are being transported a permit will be issued if:
· The vehicle is right hand drive and has been homologated by the SABS to comply with the road safety requirements to register the vehicle with the licensing authorities; and
· The organization that applies for the rebate permit is registered with the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities to care for persons with physical disabilities or the individual that applies for the rebate permit is registered with the International Administration Commission of South Africa to care for a specific person with a physical disability; and
· The vehicle has been or will be structurally adapted, i.e. the floor pan of the vehicle has been modified to incorporate clamps/clips and an anchorage for the safety harness to hold the wheelchair and person with a physical disability steady and in position when the vehicle is driven; or
· Railings are fitted to the door and sides of the vehicle for a person with a physical disability to hold onto when the vehicle is in motion; or
· The vehicle has to be fitted with medical equipment, such as an oxygen cylinder, to allow the person with the physical disability to be transported.
YOU WILL NOT QUALIFY IF:
You will be driving the vehicle yourself and;
· The vehicle is a left hand drive vehicle and has not been homologated by the SABS that it complies with the road safety requirements of the licensing authorities; and
· The person is too tall to drive any ordinary vehicle but no adaptation is needed to drive a vehicle, except that the steering wheel folds away to allow access into the vehicle, this being a standard design feature of the vehicle that is produced in this way for all person; or
· The person has a back problem or disease that has not progressed to such an extent that a special adaptation, except an automatic gearbox or options such as a power steering, is required to drive the vehicle.
You are being transported and
· The vehicle is a left hand drive vehicle and has not been homologated by the SABS that it complies with the road safety requirements of the licensing authorities; and
· No structural adaptation is to be or has been made to the vehicle to transport persons. ( Fitting only of a hoist to the vehicle is considered to be insufficient on it own) and/or
· The vehicle is used only occasionally by a non-registered person / organization to transport the person with a physical disability.
3. where can I obtain the necessary application forms in Limpopo :
The forms can be obtained at the Association for Persons with disability, Limpopo Province in Polokwane.
4. Once I have received the forms where do I start?
A. Application form
Please ensure that the form is completed in full e.g. all contact details, what is the adaptation, who will supply and fit it etc.
There are four types of application forms, which mean four different types of permits; you must therefore select only one of the following:
i. Driven Solely: Imported Vehicles – (Customs Duty)
ii. Driven Solely: Locally Manufactured Vehicles (Ad Valorem Excise Duty)
iii. Transport: Imported Vehicle – (Customs Duty)
iv. Transport: Locally Manufactured Vehicle (Ad Valorem Excise Duty)
B. Motivation letter
We need to know about why you have chosen this specific vehicle, please ensure that this letter is completed in full e.g. back ground information (what is your disability), features (what features does the vehicle have to accommodate your needs as a persons with a disability), adaptation etc.
C. APD Panel report form
This form must be completed by members of an APD Panel of Adjudicators which can be arranged through the abovementioned offices.
This form is only applicable to a person with a physical disability who will be driving the vehicle him /herself. The APD Panel Report is NOT applicable to a person with a physical disability who will be transported.
D. Medical report form
Your own medical practitioner must complete this form. It can be your house doctor, specialist etc.
E. Homologation certificate/Letter Of Authority (LOA)
The Homologation Certificate can be obtained from the importer i.e. dealer or manufacturer in South Africa
· If imported vehicles are purchased from a dealer in the RSA, the dealer must quote the homologation reference number for registration purpose
· If the vehicle is imported directly by a person with physical disabilities, the South Africa Bureau of Standards (SABS) must be contacted to obtain a Letter of Authority (LOA). Only right hand drive vehicles which meet the ECE specification will receive a LOA
F. Nominated driver declaration forms for registered organizations or registered persons
This form in only applicable to a person with a physical disability who will be transported by a registered organization or registered person. A registered person must enclose a copy of the identity document as well as all the nominated drivers and the applicant. An organization must submit a copy of the owner’s identity document as well as that of all the nominated drivers. This form is NOT applicable to a person who will be driving the vehicle him/ herself.
G. Drivers license
A copy of the Drivers License must be submitted in the case of:
· A person with a physical disability driving the vehicle him / herself and;
· All nominated drivers who will be transporting persons with physical disabilities
H. Identity document
A copy of Identity Document must be submitted with all applications referring to:
· A person with a physical disability driving the vehicle him/ herself and;
· All nominated drivers who will be transporting persons with physical disabilities and;
· The applicant
I. Motor manufacturers brochure of specification
This must be included in all applications and can be obtained from the dealership or can be downloaded from the dealerships website
J. Quote for adaptation
A quote from the company / person that will perform the adaptation must accompany your application
5. I have now completed and obtained the necessary forms and was seen by the APD Panel, what then?
You or the office where you applied at must submit all the relevant documentation to the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities (NCPPDSA) They must be advised of the Tracking number applicable in order to collect it from the Post Office Counter
6. Once the NCPPDSA receives your application, what happens next
Once we receive the application, we will scrutinize it. If it is in order and in line with the guidelines issued by The Department of Trade and Industry we will provide them with our written recommendation. The documentation will then be hand delivered to The Department of Trade and Industry. ITAC will then process the application and issue the permit directly to the client, provided that the application is successful and comply with the necessary guidelines. They will contact the client in order to establish if the permit will be collected, mailed or couriered. The normal processing time is three (3) weeks, (15) working days.
7. What do I do with the permit once I received it?
You will hand the permit to the dealership, they will then negotiate the discount with you and place an order for the vehicle you have selected.
The dealership will then submit the permit with the necessary documentation to SARS, whereby they will be refunded as you already received the discount from them.
8. Important notes
· No left hand drive vehicles may be imported;
· No vehicle may be ordered before the import permit has been obtained from ITAC – if not, NO rebate will be granted
· No vehicle can be bought that have passed Customs nor can the vehicle be on the dealerships book
· If the vehicle was purchased without obtaining the permit, you will not qualify for the rebate
9. QUERIES
Any queries regarding the rebate can be referred to Mrs. Trix Nortman at the Association for Persons with Disability, Limpopo Province or to the NCPPDSA
Accessible Transport
There is need for rapid progress in developing a public transport system that is flexible and accessible. Without this people with disabilities will continue to remain largely ‘invisible’ and unable to contribute to, or benefit from, the services and commercial activities available to most of their fellow citizens.
Given the fact that the ability to use services, or attend school or work, is largely dependent on the ability of people to get there, the lack of accessible transport is a serious barrier to the full integration into society of persons with disabilities.
Transport services for persons with disabilities are currently largely restricted to those who are either associated with a social service agency (i.e. predominantly in the metropolitan areas), or those who are able and can afford to drive modified private vehicles or employ the services of a chauffeur.
Accessible transport as a human right implies a departure from the traditional medical/welfare model of providing trips primarily for medical purposes. People with disabilities should be able to travel, regardless of the purpose of the journey.
The objective is to develop an accessible, affordable multi-modal public transport system that will meet the needs of the largest numbers of people at the lowest cost, while at the same time planning for those higher cost features which are essential to disabled people with greater mobility needs.
Component of the transport system include:
· Road transport (Minibus taxis, bus services and dial-a-ride services)
· Railway services
· Air travel
Different disability groups have different public transport needs. There are also differences in the needs of people living in rural and urban areas. It is therefore essential that processes to develop accessible commuter systems include participation by all stakeholders.