This week is disabilities week where organizations which work with disabled persons highlight the everyday issues and everyday triumphs of this sector of society. Today the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired and CARE Belize took their advocacy campaign to the heart of Belize City where hellish traffic congestion and aggressive motorists make for a pedestrian's minefield for those who can't dart across the street between bumpers and bicycle wheels.
As Alfonso Noble found out, the sight of a tapping cane at a crosswalk should be enough to make any motorist "give a bly."
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
In Belize City the simple act of crossing the street can be a great task because often-times motorists do not give way to pedestrians. This problem is even worse for those who can't see and are guided only by their four senses and the trusty white cane. Today those using it took to the streets to demand their respect and call attention to the laws that govern this instrument of navigation.
Hector Hoare, Visually Impaired
"Blind people are here in Belize and they are using the white cane so it is just a public awareness to vehicle drivers."
Carla Ayres, BCVI
"We have decided to try to have some sort of demonstration to let the traffic in general including pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicle drivers to let them know what the proper way is to deal with pedestrians especially with physically and visually impaired pedestrians. We are trying to get traffic to realize that when they are standing with their white canes extended it means they want to cross the street so instead of us just handing out our fliers and say this is what you are supposed to do on our fliers, we want to show them and sort of let them a feel of what they are supposed to do. People don't necessarily realize that it is actually a law if you don't really abide by that law you will be fined $50 if you are caught by a traffic officer. We are necessarily out here with our traffic officers to say let's give you a ticket because you didn't stop, because we know that this is not common knowledge; I would say probably nobody really knows about it which is kind of sad."
And there is need for the education because as Hoare has experienced motorists simply don’t understand or don't care about the rules of the white cain.
Hector Hoare,
"Few people would yield when they see I have my cane extended and give me a break to cross but some other people you would have to be there a while until there is a break in the flow of traffic and then I can make my move across the street. Sometimes it gets really frustrating because sometimes it is raining and you want to get across so you can shelter and they don't give you a break so it is at times like that you do get frustrated but other times you can bear with them because as I said they need more awareness of blind people using the streets with a while cane."
But while that education is lacking on the white cane so too is it for those who are confined to wheel chairs.
Gilda Leslie, CARE Belize
"We are out here to let the public be aware of white cane and wheel for the disability week."
"More than one time I stand here by myself and traffic would go and won't stop and I have to point and show that well I am waiting for you to stop so let me pass. So I am glad that the government takes this time out to let the traffic know that whenever they see anyone and even a person with a cane and a person in a wheelchair to stop and let them pass. So I am glad for this awareness week for people to know and to take more care."
"This wheel chair this little girl is in it needs for space to turn and so people think you are in the way and sometimes if you try to turn some would understand and some wouldn't."
Today that separation was not evident as aided by the Belize City Traffic Department they ensured that they were not in the way. They were simply educating the city's motorists to show them respect.