Physical Mobility Experiences and Access to Worksites Among Small Scale Traders With Special Needs in Nairobi’s Central Business District
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Date
2021Author
Ondieki, Cleusius, M
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Most of the PWDs experience high levels of poverty and unemployment. Some work in city
spaces that are not planned to meet their needs. While the Sustainable Development Goal
(SDG) 11 aims at creating safe, resilient, and inclusive cities, persons with special needs face
challenges participating in daily activities that include access to worksites in the city. This
study explored the physical mobility experience of small-scale traders with special needs
accessing worksites in Nairobi City County. Literature review showed a gap in the
implementation of policies and planning of cities in low income countries. The objectives
aimed at exploring the physical mobility options and experiences of traders with special needs
(PWDs) in accessing worksites and their coping strategies. The study assessed their
experiences relating to safety, convenience, and mobility costs by using a descriptive research
design and a universal design theoretical framework. The findings showed an existing
relationship between physical mobility experience and access to worksites. They took longer
to access their worksites, experienced safety issues and found it inconveniencing when
navigating to worksites. Small-scale traders with special needs adapted by changing the time
they accessed their worksites, relying on guardians, or working fewer hours to respond to
access challenges. The study recommends embracing a universal design for cities and mobility
modes to make them safe, affordable and convenient for all users. Other recommendations
include training drivers and conductors on ways to facilitate the physical mobility of persons
with special needs in a better way, and designing safe markets within communities. There is
also a need for further research on ways of making different forms of motorized transport
disability-friendly.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
- School of Economics [221]
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