Commuting and communication: An investigation of taxi drivers’ experiences, attitudes and beliefs about passengers with communication disorders

Sianne Green,Munyane Mophosho,Katijah Khoza-Shangase

doi:10.4102/ajod.v4i1.91

Sianne Green, Munyane Mophosho + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v4i1.91

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Abstract

BackgroundOne of the most popular means of public transport within South Africa is mini-bus taxis.ObjectivesAs South Africa is made up of diverse cultures, religions and beliefs, the aim of this study was to explore Johannesburg based taxi drivers’ experiences of beliefs about, and attitudes towards passengers who have a communication disability.MethodSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 mini-bus taxi drivers.ResultsInterviews revealed that almost all the taxi drivers had encountered passengers with a communication disability, and had an awareness of passengers with a hearing disability as opposed to a speech disability. Furthermore mini-bus taxi drivers generally held a positive view of their passengers with a communication disability.ConclusionStudy findings contribute to existing literature within the fields of speech pathology and audiology, advocacy groups and policy makers, particularly research studies on participation experiences of persons with communication disabilities related to transportation access. The results of the study should also provide a foundation for disability policy development initiatives with the aim of increasing levels of public awareness.

Highlights

People with communication disabilities face a variety of challenges in accessing everyday services, including the use of mini-bus taxis as a form of transport
The most popular mode of public transportation in South Africa is the mini-bus taxi: at least 65% of all public transport users utilise this service (Van Zyl 2009). These numbers indicate that over 14 million South Africans travel on mini-bus taxis daily, spending an average of 65 minutes commuting with an average of 2.3 taxi trips daily (Walters 2008)
In the context of communication disorders, it can be argued that hearing impairment can be the more ‘visible’ disability as individuals will utilise devices such as hearing aids and, or, use sign language to communicate

Summary

Introduction

People with communication disabilities face a variety of challenges in accessing everyday services, including the use of mini-bus taxis as a form of transport. The most popular mode of public transportation in South Africa is the mini-bus taxi: at least 65% of all public transport users utilise this service (Van Zyl 2009) These numbers indicate that over 14 million South Africans travel on mini-bus taxis daily, spending an average of 65 minutes commuting with an average of 2.3 taxi trips daily (Walters 2008). With these significant numbers in mind, one has no choice but to speculate and question how the 0.7% and 0.2% of the South African population with hearing impairments and communication disorders are affected in terms of access to taxi usage (Schneider & Couper 2007). One of the most popular means of public transport within South Africa is mini-bus taxis

Objectives

Results

Conclusion