Persons with disabilities are facing moderate to severe difficulties with transport in Moldova, concludes a study released today, April 21, by the Automobile Club of Moldova (ACM) and the Eastern Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Transport (EASST). The research shows that overcrowded public transport, dangerous crossings and poor roads are hazardous for anyone. For persons with disabilities, these dangers are accentuated. Many survey participants reported problems with mobility that have impeded their full participation in social and economic life, and prevented them from playing an active role in their communities, IPN reports.
According to the study, half of the interviewed persons feel that poor mobility affects the attitude of others towards them and almost one third – that impacted their life opportunities. One third of respondents have reported difficulties while leaving home and travelling to work. Every second interviewed person has described travelling to school as hazardous. Every fifth respondent reported difficulties with transport while visiting a doctor.
Almost 50% of the survey’s participants noted issues when travelling to other cities and 16% of the respondents do not travel at all. Even crossing the road is worrisome for 40% of the interviewed persons.
“Ensuring accessible mobility and reducing road risk for vulnerable groups is a challenge for all countries. However much more needs to be done in Moldova to ensure people with disabilities are able to travel safely and more easily. All Moldovans should be able to use their talents to the full – benefiting Moldova’s economic and cultural life,” said Emma MacLennan, Director General, EASST.
“The UN is firmly committed to a human rights-based approach to infrastructure development and urbanization, based on the principles of participation, accountability, non-discrimination, empowerment and alignment with international human rights standards. Together with our partners in the Government, civil society, private sector and international community, we will continue our efforts towards the goal of making infrastructure and transport services in Moldova safe and accessible to everyone,” noted Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative.
The research was based on a survey with 100 persons with disabilities and was conducted in partnership with the United Nations (UN) in Moldova and several non-governmental organizations.
