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Children with disabilities on their way to school on public transportation.
Advocate for children with disabilities, Karen Nunes, is urging the government to enhance transportation options for students with various physical and developmental challenges who rely on public transit to attend school.
As a mother of an autistic child, Nunes emphasised the pressing need for additional accessible buses equipped with ramps, clear signage, and designated seating for individuals with disabilities. She pointed out that the front seats of buses lack proper markings, leading to confusion and difficulty in ensuring that those who need seating can access it.
Nunes also highlighted that even the buses specifically designated for transporting individuals with disabilities are often overcrowded. She raised concerns about the absence of trained personnel, known as 'shadows,' who are supposed to assist children and communicate with their caregivers in emergencies. In situations of medical emergencies on the bus, the driver must divert all passengers to the hospital without notifying parents about the delay.
“This lack of communication creates anxiety for parents, especially considering recent incidents where children with disabilities have been attacked by able-bodied peers,” Nunes said.
She expressed concern over the safety and well-being of these children, stating that parents frequently call late at night, worried about their children's delayed return from the bus.
While Nunes does not expect the government to assume all parental responsibilities, she believes there are measures that can be implemented to promote greater independence for individuals with disabilities.
