Scaling back on Dial-a-ride service will worsen poverty

LAST year we celebrated three decades of democracy in South Africa. For the 3.3 million persons living with disabilities, democracy means having access to opportunities that would promote their full participation in society, and in this way, circumvent neglect and discrimination.

- DANE ISAACS, CANDICE GROENEWALD AND CAZLE HENDRICKS

Yet, 30 years on, persons with disabilities remain one of the most margin-alised and discriminated against groups in post-apartheid South Africa.

The ‘Dial-a-ride’ service has been a welcome approach to promote more active participation by persons living with disabilities in society. This subsi-dised transport service was designed for persons with disabilities who cannot make use of mainstream public transport like buses, taxis, or trains.

However, the City of Cape Town recently decided to scale back on its Dial-a-ride service from September 8 - offering only transport services to eligible wheelchair users and those with severe walking impairments - limiting trips between the users’ homes and places of work.

This controversial decision shines the light afresh on the never-changing vulnerable and precarious position this population group occupies in South African society.