Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Commission on Disabilities (KND) reiterated its commitment to strengthen public education on accessibility rights for people with disabilities in public transportation.

KND Commissioner Kikin Tarigan, on Saturday (April 27), said that it is to respond to a recently viral video depicting a spat between a passenger with disabilities and a taxi driver in Kampung Rambutan Terminal, East Jakarta.

"We will strengthen the education to broader parties to ensure the general public, including taxi drivers, will understand the need of people with disabilities," Tarigan stated here.

The video, which went viral on social media, depicted a non-uniformed taxi driver berating a disabled passenger for ordering an online taxi service within the terminal area.

Despite the passenger visibly wearing crutches, the taxi driver insisted he should walk a considerable distance to the terminal gate to order an online taxi.

Tarigan deplored some residents not comprehending that people with disabilities ought to have greater accessibility rights since their physical mobility is restricted.

"(The taxi driver) need not be so stubborn, as depicted in the video, because the accessibility rights of people with disabilities should be assured, including in public transportation," he added.

Hence, nobody should compel a passenger with disabilities to walk a considerable distance to the terminal gate just to restrict online taxi access in the terminal, he stressed.

"I believe walking for one kilometre is not a problem for the non-disabled. However, people with disabilities will struggle even if they walk by only 100 metres and when they use crutches to walk and carry a backpack as depicted in the video," Tarigan said.

He also asked security officers in public transportation terminals to be more assertive in assuring the accessibility rights of passengers with disabilities.

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Translator: Hana Kinarina, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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