The disabled have been categorised into four groups, namely A Class (red colour card), B Class (blue colour card), C Class (yellow colour card) and D Class (white colour card).  Each level of disability requires facilities with specific types of safety and security measures.

According to the latest census, 1.94 percent Nepalis are disabled. Those who suffer from disabilities cannot be ignored in terms of their rights as citizens to walk on the roads safely and comfortably. Road use is a matter of public concern which must be guided by a code of conduct.

The standard of a disabled-friendly road is judged by its fixed route, subway facilities, common signals, safe level-crossing and crowd-free spaces in its immediate vicinity. Though infrastructure for the disabled is currently lacking, the concept, plans and debates on the topic are, at least, good news.

According to laws regarding security and facilities for the disabled, a facilitator must accompany a disabled person while on the road, and there must be safe and comfortable waiting booths for the disabled on the roadsides. The city's bumpy, muddy and crowded roads and roadsides make it hard for the disabled to travel comfortably and safely.

Ditches and uncovered drains are also hazards for the disabled, especially the blind. Crossing a busy road junction along with able-bodied people quickly is a problem for the disabled, making the creation of a separate road crossing for the disabled vital. Moreover, four-wheeled scooters that disabled people often ride are not safe on the roads of the metropolis because vehicles and motorbikes rarely follow traffic rules. Due to heavy traffic jams and rough riders, disabled people who ride such scooters are facing problems on the roads in the Capital and other major cities. Though the ongoing road expansion and restructuring process seems to point to better days for the disabled, the construction work must be completed as soon as possible. Devendra Basnet, a 23-year-old with poor vision, says that he fears travelling alone from Jawalakhel to Tri-Chandra Campus due to the hazards of road crossings, sky bridges and crowds on the footpaths.

Some of the busiest roads in places such as Baneshwor, Chabahil, Ratnapark, Koteshwor and Kalanki are risky and cause a lot of trouble for disabled people. Bus passengers embarking and disembarking anywhere on the road adds to the chaos and makes things more difficult for the disabled. C and D class disabled people are not required to move around with their facilitator, but their safety and convenience on the road cannot currently be guaranteed. Both road users and rule enforcers are responsible for ensuring the systematic use of roads in town. The issue of disabled-friendly roads will achieve success only with the joint efforts of disabled people, able people and institutions concerned.

Proper traffic management, wide sidewalks, and careful drivers are all necessary to make the roads safe for all. All will be well on the roads if they get completed on time and traffic rules are enforced, while road use education and media advocacy are needed to develop awareness among road users. Policies regarding disabled rights must be enforced if the safety of Nepal's roads is to advance.    

(Regmi is Programme Manager at Nepal Youth Foundation)