They are young. They have soul. And they are all buddies. The 45 members of Dundee Junior School’s Soul Buddyz Club hit the streets recently to find out just how wheelchair-friendly the town is.
It took them two months to complete the survey, followed by an interview with a wheelchair-bound resident Gill Holm, who has had first-hand experience of the challenges of life in a wheelchair.
Last week the Buddyz boldly made an appointment with Deputy Mayor T Mkhize, during which they handed over a memorandum outlining their findings and suggestions. Comments in the memo included: all pavements to be lowered or sloped at the corner; more disabled parking bays in the CBD with adjacent ramps; all shops to build ramps at the entrances of their businesses to enable wheelchairs to enter comfortably; at least one ATM facility in a specific shop is adjusted to accommodate a person in a wheelchair (for example, the panel be lowered); and pavements need to be made level with smoother surfaces.
The memorandum goes on to say that, “More importantly, heavy fines must be issued against those (who are able) who park in disabled parking zones.
“If a vehicle parks in a disabled bay without the necessary sticker displayed in the window, it should be chained and not released until the fine has been paid. (Newcastle Municipality implemented this system and could be approached for advice.) The money may be donated to Cripple Care or any other charity fund.” Deputy Mayor Mkhize warmly welcomed the Soul Buddyz, and promised that their memorandum would be taken to Council for debate. With this kind of community interest at heart, the Soul Buddyz are surely making a difference in our society.
