The Right to Accessibility of the Visually Impaired vs The Economic Rights of Street Vendors

If there's a question about the most difficult thing I've ever done as a visually impaired person, the answer would be walking on tactile paving amidst a bustling crowd of street vendors. The crowd itself isn't really an issue; many vendors selling means the economy is fiscally growing. The problem is, these vendors are infringing on the access rights of visually impaired people by setting up shop on the tactile paving, or guiding blocks.

Tactile paving, or “Guiding Blocks,” are the yellow paths commonly found in public places like train stations, government offices, and pedestrian walkways. These yellow paths are designed to guide the movement of visually impaired people. Even though Ridwan Kamil once mentioned that some of these blocks were installed incorrectly, I still use them to navigate.

Usually, when I go to the office, after getting off the train, staff members help me find an online motorcycle taxi driver in front of a donut shop in the area. But when I'm heading home, I have to get off in front of that donut shop and search for the tactile paving that leads to the station. Don't assume finding tactile paving is easy. I still need help from others to reach it.

Fortunately, when walking on it, I've never collided with other visually impaired users of the tactile paving. However, I did have a run-in with an elderly vendor who had set up her stall directly on the tactile paving.

Perhaps the old woman felt threatened because I was walking straight towards her merchandise. As a good vendor, she must have tried to protect her goods with all her might. So, a lion's roar hit me. Even though it was the paving that was guiding me closer to her.

Not accepting her scolding, I retorted just as loudly, “This is the path, MA'AM!” “No, the path is over there! You're told, and you still argue!” the old woman exclaimed fiercely.

Rather than going viral and being reported with the headline, “Verbal Spat Between Visually Impaired Person and Elderly Woman,” I eventually guided my cane off the tactile paving and started walking by relying on my senses.

“Watch out, sir. My goods are here.” Escaping the lion's mouth, I fell into the crocodile's. Instead of being free from vendors, I bumped into another one. However, this vendor was kind. Rather than me bumping into vendors all the way, he helped me reach my destination.

From there, the problem was resolved. I could walk safely, ride the train comfortably, and return home safely. Meeting my wife and child who had been waiting for hours at home.

However, something still bothered me. I could indeed go home. But what if I had knocked over one of the vendor's stalls, making their goods scattered and unsellable? “Could they go home peacefully like me?”

The definite answer is, I don't know. This is just my imagination of them returning home with no income to bring back. Of course, just like me, their children, wives, or perhaps other relatives would be disappointed. The difference is, I still receive a monthly transfer, even if I stay at home. That way, I can still buy snacks for my child and pay the house installments. Whereas for them, the street vendors, if they don't bring money, their families potentially won't eat.

In reality, there should be a middle ground to address this. Access for the visually impaired should not hinder the economic rights of others. Conversely, when seeking a livelihood, one should not obstruct access for people with disabilities.

I know that eating is how humans survive. Both I and the street vendors on the sidewalk need nutritional intake to stay energized throughout the day. But if no one scolds those who steal the sanctuary of the visually impaired, then this will continue to happen.

If the vendors helped me, it wouldn't be a problem. I certainly wouldn't bump into a meatball cart, for example. But if I'm dealing with grumpy vendors who refuse to help, there should be resistance. And if possible, I should be assisted by SATPOL PP, as they are the enforcers of local regulations.

As enforcers of local regulations, disciplining unruly vendors should be easy. It's clear in any rule that tactile paving, whether yellow or whatever color, is intended for the widest possible access for the visually impaired. Therefore, unruly vendors need to be dealt with. Whether by educating them, providing new stalls, or perhaps relocating them and training them to become kind and virtuous vendors.