PANAJI
The State government on Monday claimed that Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) can travel at ease around Goa as wheelchair-accessible e-rickshaw services launched last month have been commissioned with immediate effect.
“This service will facilitate movement of PwDs with ease and can also accommodate two more persons to accompany the wheelchair user,” an official at the Social Welfare department said.
An impetus through the first-of-its-kind Purple Fest that was hosted in Goa, these e-rickshaws were first seen at the Fest in January 2023.
Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Guruprasad Pawaskar said that it will reduce transport barriers and allow wheelchair users to move out of their homes, which has been a distant dream for PwDs and their families.
“But, a wheelchair-accessible e-rickshaw service, launched, is like a breath of fresh air. Wheelchair-accessible e-rickshaw service is a step ahead in making Goa accessible for persons with disabilities. We are working efficiently on taking initiatives to create an inclusive society and have appealed to the families and caregivers of PwDs to use this service,” he added.
An author, poet and artist living with cerebral palsy Frederika Menezes stated that the wheelchair accessible e-rickshaws are one of the nicest things to have happened to someone like her - a wheelchair user.
“It signifies independence as far as travel within the State is concerned. This service has been a long pending initiative that was desired and is now a reality. Otherwise dependent on family to travel, it is no easy task she says to travel in a car for those who use wheelchairs and often because of such difficulties involved in the transportation of the person and placing the wheelchair in the car and having help to assist the person becomes quite a tedious effort,” Menezes said.
