Nuanua O Le Alofa (N.O.L.A), a disability advocacy organisation in Samoa made submissions to include persons with disabilities in the design stages of new road projects.

NOLA's General Manager, Mataafa Faatino Utumapu, emphasized this during the Accessibility Audit conducted by representatives of the World Bank and the Land Transport Authority. 

The audit, which involved discussions with NOLA, focused on addressing the needs of the disabled community when using roads and ensuring road safety for all individuals. 

"Accessibility is crucial as a precondition to the inclusion of persons with disabilities to society. Samoa is committed to ensuring necessary measures are in place to realise persons with disabilities the right to access on an equal basis with others to the physical environment, information and communication, public places and facilities," said Mataafa.

She further emphasised the importance of development partners considering the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities, stating, "Keeping true to the meaning of 'nothing about us without us'.

“The work of today reflects the significant role of Nuanua o le Alofa as the national advocacy organisation of persons with disabilities to provide this contribution from the perspective of individuals with disabilities.”

The discussion also highlighted the Pacific Disability Forum's Pacific Blueprint on accessibility, which provides contextualised accessibility guidelines for the region. World Bank consultant, Phillip Jordan, expressed his openness to recommendations from persons with disabilities to help design accessible roads, bridges, and footpaths.

Mr. Jordan outlined the objectives of the audit, stating, "The objective of the audit is to learn from you about your needs, especially during the design stages of new road projects. To outline the road safety audit process and to discuss the needs of the disabled community when using roads (to cross or move along)."

During the discussions, questions were raised regarding the need for crossings, the type of crossings required, enforcement by police, and the potential risks associated with new crossings. Representatives from NOLA inquired about the likely impact of the consultation and whether it would lead to new changes and future road designs that cater to the needs of people with disabilities.

Overall, the Accessibility Audit aimed to ensure that the voices and needs of persons with disabilities are at the forefront of road design and safety processes, promoting inclusivity and accessibility for all individuals using Samoa's road infrastructure.