Inclusive Mobility among School Children with Disabilities in Benin City, Nigeria
Authors: Ojekere, S*.1, Mkpandiok, D.2 and Inclan-Valadez, C3
Abstract
Children with disabilities (CWDs) constitute a significant segment of the global population, with estimates ranging from 93 to 150 million. In Benin City, Nigeria, CWDs face substantial educational exclusion, with less than 10% of CWDs enrolled in primary school, leaving a staggering 90% entirely outside the public primary and secondary school system. Compounding this exclusion are significant mobility barriers that impede CWDs’ access to and utilization of mainstream public transportation for their daily school commutes. This study adopts a mixed-methods research approach to examine the mobility barriers experienced among 114 children with physical, visual, hearing, and learning impairments enrolled in public primary and secondary schools in Benin City, Nigeria. The findings revealed that 59.6% of CWDs rely on caregivers for their mobility to and from school, while only 40.4% are selfsufficient in their movement. Surprisingly, 59.6% of the respondents were unaware of the existence of inclusive mobility-related policies that safeguard them against discrimination by public transport drivers. Furthermore, 64.9% have never received any form of government mobility support, and 87.8% spend at least 15 minutes to an hour traveling to and from school. Notably, 98.2% of CWDs lack access to school buses and rely on various alternative modes of transportation, such as minibuses, comrade buses, taxis, tricycles, and non-motorized transport (NMT), for their school commute. To address the mobility barriers of CWDs, the study recommends a POST strategy that focuses on, prioritizes, offers, sustains, and trains for inclusive mobility for schoolchildren with disabilities.