PWDe na Yan?

“The government must consult the target users when designing structures, facilities, and devices.”

The steep ramp on the EDSA Busway in Quezon City earned flak and evoked negative emotions from the citizens. The accessibility law BP 344 is “an act to enhance the mobility of disabled persons by requiring buildings, institutions, establishments, and public utilities to install facilities and other devices.” This ramp was supposed to address this law, but failed to meet its purpose.

According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the ramp was constructed since the elevator is on a different level than the footbridge. Instead of aiding persons with disability (PWDs) to be mobile and independent, the ramp can cause accidents because of its steepness with an inclination of 14.15 degrees as measured by the inclinometer by Arch. Armand Eustaquio. He is one of the proponents of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) accessibility law. According to BP 344, the inclination should only be 4.8 degrees for the PWD ramp. So, the EDSA busway ramp is 10 degrees steeper.

For the full article, please visit: https://manilastandard.net/business/business-columns/green-light/314474992/pwde-na-yan.html