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{
    "id": 1483676,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1483676/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 34,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Crystal Asige",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. First, I would like to wish you, fellow Senators, as well as the blind and visually impaired community listening in Kenya, a happy International White Cane Safety Day, which is commemorated today. International White Cane Safety Day is celebrated annually on 15th of October, where the White Cane, also known as a guide cane, is recognized as an important mobility tool for blind and visually impaired people. It is a symbol of safety, independence and respect for the inherent dignity of the blind and low vision community. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Article 54 of the Constitution, as you know, on accessible environments for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), and Articles 3, 9 and 20 of the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), also stipulate the obligation on the inclusion of accessible spaces for white cane users. Sustainable Development Goal No.11 on accessible cities and human settlements, further buttress these principles. The International Whites Canes Safety Day is cognizant of the lack of proper regard by motorists and other road users for the role that the white cane represents, and in a bid to support and better promote awareness of the needs and challenges faced by us, white cane users in Kenya, it is necessary for certain actions to be taken. Mr. Speaker, Sir, to this end, it has become imperative that the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the National Construction Authority (NCA) and the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) fully adopt universal design standards and principles in our transport systems and across the built environments. In this Statement, the Committee should- (1) Explain any measures taken by the Ministry of Roads and Transport and the KRB, to facilitate the development and enforcement of globally universal design regulations across Kenya's roads networks to provide essential safety for blind and visually impaired persons. (2) Outline any steps taken by KRB and NCA to ensure the construction of tactile markers, consistency in working streetlights, sonic traffic lights, drop curbs across the country, safe crossing points on our roads, frequency in clear disabled parking slots and The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}