In preparing for this assignment I came
across a very interesting article. In
this article, a research undertaken by 11 years old, Manasa is discussed. Manasa, whose father was in a wheel chair, conducted
her research to raise awareness about the impact that disabilities have on the facets
of childhood. Manasa, received training from the Children’s Research
Center, and had trainers who facilitated the opportunity. However, it was Manasa’s opportunity to
design and lead her own research. Her research was titled Getting Around
as the Child of a Wheelchair User; to facilitate her research she kept a
research diary narrative of her journeys via bus, train, and as a pedestrian
with her wheel chair bound father noting her experiences.
She then made these suggestions to
the Bus Company following her experience:
“From this first part of my research
study I would like to make some suggestions to the bus company that would help
people like my dad and me.
- All buses (not just a few) should have wheelchair ramps
- All the ramps should be electronic so that bus drivers don’t have to get out of the bus to put it in place
- There should be a space for a wheelchair AND a pushchair not one or the other because too often the wheelchair can’t get on because of pushchairs.
- There should be more training for bus drivers about disabled people and wheelchair users so that they might be more understanding about our difficulties particularly about trying to maneuver the chair into a very narrow, awkward space.
- For the future design of buses, these problems should be taken into consideration and the necessary improvements should be made. This may result in better facilities on buses for other wheelchair users. I hope these suggestions are not too much to ask for because they would make a really big difference to the quality of my childhood. I could do more things with my dad more easily and more often—just like other kids do!”
It was Manasa’s hope that her
experiences would raise awareness about transport difficulties for disabled
persons from a child’s perspective and hoped for children like her would have
happier experiences. This vision was materialized when the adults who guided her through the research afforded
her an opportunity to collaborate with the UK Government’s transport department
and as a result changes were implemented, including electronic ramps to more
buses, diversity training for bus drivers, and locating escort seats next to
wheelchair spaces. Unfortunately, six months following her research
Manasa’s father passed away, and they never benefited from the new policies
and practices that her research influenced.
Nonetheless many other children, families, and communities did.
Reference
Kellett, M. (2010). Small shoes, big
steps! Empowering children as active researchers. American Journal of Community Psychology, 46(1-2), 195-203.
doi:10.1007/s10464-010-9324-y
