Promoting Built Environment and Transportation Accessibility in Addis Ababa Introduction According to WHO, it is estimated that there are 8 Million persons with Disabilities in Ethiopia. Inaccessibility of built environment and transportation have been major challenges for persons with disabilities to participate in all walks of life for many year The negative effect of excluding PWDs will not be limited to violating their human right but also it brings devastating impact on the development of the country

Introduction Eg ($ 510 dollar loss annually according to the study by Australian Economist) ---- With out the inclusion of PWDs the intended countries development could not be a reality.(Clap game) I believe that there is little point of having accessible transport if the buildings are not accessible and there is no points of having accessible education if the transportation is inaccessible (Two sides of the coin)

About ECDD The Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD) Association is a local, non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 2005 and newly registered as an Ethiopian Resident Charity on 3 November 2009 by the Agency for the Registration of Charities and Societies in Ethiopia. ECDD works in collaboration with other organizations to promote inclusive development in Ethiopia –the inclusion of disability issues and people with disabilities in mainstream government and NGO development projects, programs and services

ECDD’s Contribution towards promoting Building and Transportation Accessibility Designed and implemented a project entitled a Guide to Accessible Addis Ababa.(Now Extended to Promoting Accessibility in Ethiopia Project) Promoting Building Accessibility ECDD in collaboration with Architects trained six data collectors all with disabilities to conduct the survey of selected buildings in Addis Ababa The training was more on the universal design and drafted accessibility standards extracted from the universal design The data collectors are measuring the buildings based on the checklist prepared based on the standards

The building surveyed were Hotels, Restaurants, Molls, Hospitals, Banks, tour and travel agents, recreational centers and so on. A total of 600 buildings were surveyed in Addis Ababa The survey shows that it only 10% of the buildings are accessible (not fully)

Promoting Building Accessibility Based on the information gathered for more than a year, Guide to Accessible Addis Ababa was published ( ) The books disseminated to universities, Embassy, book stores,-----etc

Series Accessibility Information seminars At the same time accessibility information Seminars were given to Architects, Urban Planners, Engineers,Building owners on how and why to make buildings accessible Strict follow ups are done afterwards, Accessibility audit report were delivered to buildings owners on their requests

Promoting Transportation Accessibility Established working relation ship with Ministry of transportation The staff of Ministry of Transportation trained on why and how to make public transportations accessible for persons with disabilities

Legal Instruments for Buildings and Transportation Accessibility The UN convention on the right of PWDs Article 9 The Ethiopian Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia stipulates under Article 41.5 that “the state shall, within available means, allocate resources to provide rehabilitation and assistance for the physically and mentally disabled, aged, and orphans left without parents.” The Ethiopian Building Proclamation (No. 624/2009) Article 36 states all public buildings including their toilets to be accessible for persons with disabilities The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA) has made accessibility mandatory for persons with physical and mental impairments in its Developmental Social Welfare Policy.

The Project Outcomes Reasonable number of building owners modified their buildings following the accessibility seminars During the launching ceremony of the Guide book buildings owners who took the initiative to modify their buildings were rewarded.

Accessible Award Accessibility Award to National Theatre

Regulation or Directive is drafted by Ministry Urban Development and Construction for the implementation of the building proclamation 624/2009.

Accessibility promotion is made through TV and Radio advertisements ECDD in collaboration with Ministry of Transportation facilitated the modification of 6 public buses to accommodate the need of PWDs

Sample modified accessible bus

Due to the new CSO legislation NGOs are not allowed to advocate for the right of persons with disabilities, women and children. Therefore, working with concerned governmental body deemed to bring the intended change as you have seen from the result mentioned above. As a recommendation The awareness raising endeavors over the need of accessible built environment and transportation for persons with disabilities should be strengthened The implementation of proclamation 624/2009 should be assured and accelerated Conclusion and Recommendation

Recommendation cont. The state shall oblige all public transportation to be accessible for persons with disabilities (drafting proclamation ) The Government should allow PWDs to import automatic cars duty free

Thank you !