Bali, Footpaths and Wheelchairs

The suburbs were not welcoming of my wheelchair.

My cousin opted for a Bali wedding. Like many of her friends and family, I decided to make a holiday of it; a 10-day trip.

I stayed in Seminyak and Legian, popular tourist areas. Footpaths did not pave their way forward for wheelchairs. They were frequently interrupted by dips and cracks; pathways that competed rather than intersected. The occasional pole erected through the middle of the footpath.

It was difficult for my parents to push my manual wheelchair around. Frequently bumping my wheelchair down a reasonably large step onto the road due to an interruption of footpath. A small patch before it was better to lift me back onto the footpath. There were frequent jolts as the front wheel of my wheelchair got caught behind a bump.

My Dad had a knee injury and my Mum pulled a muscle in her back during the trip. Pushing me around aggravated Dad’s injury.

I did not see one person with a visible disability in Bali apart from myself. Working for CBM Australia, I know that the prevalence of disability is much higher in low-to-middle-income countries. People with disabilities are often excluded from their communities as a result of barriers. In Bali I saw it with my own eyes.

With Mum’s help I asked a taxi driver where those with disabilities were. He said that they were at home. That they couldn’t get around…so their families support them. I asked if any work. “No.” was his answer.

Knee injuries, pulled muscles and the like would exacerbate the challenges for those who support loved ones with disabilities in Indonesia.

If access isn’t implemented into society people with disabilities can’t fully participate as integral members of their community. Access can be physical – like ramps and accessible toilets. Another form of access is communicational – like braille or hearing aids. Every person with a disability has contributions to makes, therefore building access community will benefit not only those with disabilities, but everybody.