Issues & Problems

Accessible & SafetyWe got a good news from Singapore is testing the stroller restraint on public bus (Link ref : https://goo.gl/35kdPL). I, as a wheelchair user was extremely affected by an impractical layout design on public bus, which had mostly lower safety standard. And thought that this issue should be brought to the front line as one of priority concerns. After my trial abroad on public transportation in countries, I would like to share my opinions:

Please Help MeThis morning, I got a call soon after I woke up. It appeared to be a very hotline asking for help from Jeab, and her team. They were going to Phit-sa-nu-lok for trip by AirAsia airline. One of her team member was an powered wheelchair user. The airline didn’t allow bringing his battery, necessary forpowered wheelchair, on board. So I suggested her to call any other hotlines for help, as possible as they could find, at the very intense moment.

Saba Alex Liew Our long time no see dinner. Before living back home, Alex told me that were being charged for crossing over the station and using the elevator on BTS Asoke. How could it be this mess ? I’ve never charged any before. Let’s check this out .. . (Multilingual speaking)

Our primary mission is the traveling to search for the answer of what we are questioning. When you are in doubt of capability of something, you might want to go checking it out by yourself at first hand. Domestic trial right in our home country seems to be insufficient as Japan is the top-notch among the area we are talking about. So, I headed to the land of the rising sun. Platform Lift or stair lift is a kind of accessible equipment intentionally designed for wheelchair user. It has been developed to use in Thailand as well as you might …

Safety standardis the one issue that I pay attention to and I saw a lot of difference in Japan. As the above picture, there will always have the security guard(s) to taking care of the area. And even a very far place from the city, they use almost the same setup especially the equipment standard.

New York City subway there’re still 350 stations in-accessible left totally 80% stations are unusable by people who can’t traverse stairs. And 25 stations got the elevators but recently remain as ‘out of service’

The secret walk wayFrom the bad news, inspired me to do this video. Everyone got choices on their own wished, but not for PWDs. We got no right to get access to the basic facilities easily, and we have no even right to be ..fear ..of anything. Check out the ‘Face on, the secret walk way… (Video with English closed caption)’

It all began when the students contacted me via this FB Page and asked some information and insight for conducting their university project, assigned by their lecturer. Fortunately, the lecturer was already part of our Transportations for All (T4A) community. When we got to know what was going on, the coordination went beyond smoothly. Personally, I always give priority for educational purpose. When some educational institutions contacted me to give a talk to their students, I would accept it most of the time. Anyway, before I jump into it, I would screen whether the students showed their motivation for learning, …

MRT Phet-cha-bu-ri Station, besides the insufficiency of elevators from the ground floor, the ticketing floor and the platform floor are also found nowhere for its existence. Normal-condition people are criticizing that using escalator make them a bit detour and that they’re unwillingly and unlikely to use it. Now let’s take a perspective from PWDs when we have to just get on the train. I, on my wheelchair, have to go to another side of the road and, unwanted, require asking a staff for accompanying. The staff will then walk me go through a special area, It’s kind of a room …

I have only known both of them recently but I have witnessed their kindness towards to people with disabilities. Mr. Tam is a lawyer, who stands behind me in the photo. He has helped disabled people with their legal issues for the past 30 years. Mr. Aud, who is also a lawyer, has been currently using wheelchairs since he has been unwell.