Accessibility remains one ofthe biggest problems faced by Papua New Guineas living with disabilities.
Nearly all of Lae’s buildings were constructed more than two decades ago. Many provide little or no accessibility for people living with disabilities.
Lae'’s Belob TeachersCollege School Coordinator, George Laloia, has had a close association withthe disabled community. He says Beilders, Architects and Civil Engineers have to take into account people living with special needs.
Laloia explaining futher said, “For example Lae, you seethe roads… it’s hardly accessible. Only a few parts ofthe road are accessible for wheelchair users”.
His call comes after a special education lecturer at Belob, Stewart Roberts, raised similar concerns.
Mr. Robert said, “Facilities is an area wherethe Government now needs to focus on.”
Trainee teachers can’t be trained at Belob due to problemsthey face.
“We talk about accessibility andthe government talks about accessibility andthe rights of people… but we are not making things happen. For instance at school,the classrooms are here,the students’want to come- those in wheelchairs and crutches want to come and train butthe dormitoriesthey live in are not accommodating (totheir special needs)…they are not disability friendy.”
Mr. Robert teaches a special education course at Belob TeachersCollege. He has his own set of challenges, but both men point out that while government has signed up to international agreements, funding and resources remainthe biggest hurdle.
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