21st January 2008, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
One of the major challenges faced by the disabled is accessibility and mobility. Sometimes, the simplest of tasks such as getting up a flight of stairs, or visiting the washroom, things that seem mundane to everyone else becomes a huge stumbling block. Add sports to that equation and end result is an inconvenience of gigantic proportions.
It is no different for the 57 athletes who are representing Singapore at the 4th ASEAN Para Games. Utmost concentration on training as well as on the competition itself is crucial. The least of their concerns should be trying to overcome issues such as accessibility and transportation.
However, they have little to worry about as the host of the 4th ASEAN Para Games has designed the games and its sporting facilities to cater fully to the disabled.
Let us begin with the toilets located within every room. Grab bars are there to ensure that wheelchair athletes have no problems using it. Portable wooden ramps can be found outside the rooms that require them and besides every flight of stairs, there will be a concrete ramp leading to the next block of accommodation rooms.
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The same goes for the route to the mass dining hall. Concrete ramps are readily available leading to the dedicated entrances and exits that are wheelchair friendly.
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As for traveling to the various training and competition venues located within the vast locale of Suranaree University of Technology, the organizers have planned a defined shuttle bus schedule that leaves the Athletes' Village and stops at the various venues. The best part being that it is a fleet of impressive wheelchair accessible buses that are plying the routes, ensuring that our athletes and officials get to their destinations on time and in comfort.
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It is indeed a logistical as well as administrative challenge to ensure that all these accessibility issues are well taken care of. The host country has done an excellent job so far and rest assured that our athletes will be in top form to face their personal challenges in the sporting arena.
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