Blind commuters are commuters too!

Sensitisation training for bus service staff was ‘just the ticket’

In the daily crush of rush-hour commuting, the needs of disabled folk can easily be overlooked. Systems and signage may help – but staff of Tshwane’s rapid transit system have recognised that it’s the human touch and proper awareness of its staff that will make the real difference.

Rising to the opportunity, Blind SA’s Orientation and Mobility team recently led a collaborative sensitisation workshop initiated by the Are Yeng Bus Service in the City of Tshwane. In attendance were 36 staff from Are Yeng – including drivers and other customer-facing staff who encounter visually impaired travellers daily.

Guiding the training was a desire to design an approach that delivers appropriate and accessible service to the bus company’s blind commuters. The training included how to best communicate and handle visually impaired people through the key steps of waiting at bus stations, getting on board, travelling, and finally exiting the bus.