Hopping on and off the city bus to get to work and carry out errands is a convenience that many of us may take for granted.
But what if you were bound to a wheelchair? Would it be so easy to handle your day to day business without depending on a friend or family member to chauffeur you from place to place?
That's the reality for many city residents who struggle with their mobility.
But that struggle to do things on their own could be coming to an end, thanks to an all-new version of the city bus that's been acquired and designed specifically for their needs. Cherisse Halsall has that story.
This brand new wheelchair accessible city bus is soon to take to the Belize City streets. It's a donation from Customer HD in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Development and will give independence and dignity to city dwellers with special needs.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Development
"We are moving now from just awareness. We're actually moving to implementation, to working and living, to help all our people with disabilities and that is why this donation is so very very important."
Marshall Nunez, Coordinator, Disability Desk
"This bus is the property of the government of Belize but more importantly it is the property that will assist persons who are living with disability across the country."
In attendance at the handover were Special Envoy for Families and children Rossana Briceno, Deputy Mayor Micah Goodin, and Belizean artist Marlyn Vansen who after a diagnosis of MS has begun to make use of a wheelchair.
The bus is for everyday use - but also for times of disaster:
Marshall Nunez, Coordinator, Disability Desk
"When there is a coming storm the bus will be fully commandeered by NEMO because we have to be very cognoscenti of transporting and evacuating people who are living with disabilities. there is a process we are working now on trying to come up with a database so that we can geo-map the people who need it inclusive of identifying their shelters that are accessible with the ramps and wheelchair system for the bathrooms. So, that is a part of the ongoing plan."
It's a plan that co-founder of customer care Jonathan Keane and his partner have supported wholeheartedly.
Jonathan Keane, Customer HD
"We have hired several people with disabilities that are working with our company to date and we're excited about that. We want to keep moving in that direction and we fully support businesses that are owned and operated by people with disabilities."
The as yet to be determined schedule for the new bus will be twice weekly with two trips on those days.
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