Access to Heritage Sites

March 10, 2018

Ms. Sminu Jindal exhorts Young Indians to work for accessibility at CII- Yi Summit TakePride-2018, Mumbai

10 March 2018, Mumbai

Svayam’s Founder-Chairperson Ms. Sminu Jindal today addressed the CII-Yi: Annual Youth Summit – TakePride 2018, held at the historic Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai, along with several visionary speakers from across the sectors who spoke during the two-day annual event during 09-10 March 2018. These included Kamal Haasan (actor), Ajeet Khurana (Head – Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Committee of India), Anand Piramal (Founder – Piramal Realty), Arnav Ghosh (CEO – India, Blippar), Ashish Chauhan, (MD & CEO Bombay Stock Exchange), Balki R, (Filmmaker), Boman Irani (actor), Chandrajit Banerjee (Director General CII), Dia Mirza (actor), Dr. R. Mashelkar (renowned Scientist – Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan & Padma Vibhushan Honouree), Gauri Shinde (filmmaker), Krishnakumar T (President – Coca Cola India & Southwest Asia), Lavanya Nalli (Chairperson – Nalli Group), Madhukeshwar Desai (Vice President – Youth Wing Of BJP), Mickey Mehta (Celebrity Fitness Guru & Coach To Femina Miss India Pageant), Radhanath Swami (Spiritual Teacher), Suresh Narayanan (CMD – Nestle India).

The Young Indians (Yi), the annual flagship leadership Summit by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) is known to celebrate the achievements of entrepreneurs, inspire young entrepreneurs, and mull over the future roadmap. TakePride offers a platform to both sung and unsung heroes/champions who share an inspiring story and leave food for thought for the young leaders of CII-Yi eventually both in the interest of the organization as well as their personal- professional trajectory.

Ms. Jindal spoke at length on the subject close to her heart – accessibility. Around 600 Young Indians (Yi) from 40 Chapters across 27 states listened to her address that touched on her early years after car accident, her struggles in the men-dominated steel and gas industry, and her initiative Svayam and its numerous achievements in making India accessible.

Talking about her accident, she said: “I met with a car accident at the age of 11 as my driver was drunk; I became a wheelchair user for the rest of my life due to severe spinal injury. Initially, I could not cope with what had happened with me at that tender age. I was gloomy as I could not dance anymore, though my parents ensured I lived a normal life and got best education. They got ramps and lifts built at home and school and the college. I was born in an affluent family, but then I thought what about others who do not have resources. That is how accessibility became my passion as I wanted to see everyone with reduced mobility to live his/her life in safe, dignified and productive way.”

She told the highly attentive audience that accessibility benefits everyone and not just persons with disabilities. “Think about an elderly, a pregnant woman, and an injured. We have to accept the reality and be ready for it. Think about arthritis and accidents. Also, India’s 65 per cent population is below 35; think about 30 years from now. Will they not need accessible infrastructure and services? We have to be ready now before it hits us,” she said.

Ms. Jindal added: “People retire at 60, but thanks to the improved healthcare, we have longer years post retirement. Due to lack of accessible infrastructure, people tend to remain in the golden cages called homes. So, this is not about only 2 per cent population (persons with disabilities). It is a much larger issue. If older adults get accessible homes and public infrastructure, they will, of course, come out and shop, visit places which not only increases their own happiness quotient, but also boosts our GDP. This is how we can make them feel useful, else they may feel redundant. We are all social animals & can’t live in silos.”

She wondered why accessibility is treated as a sub topic under disability. She narrated the infamous Jet Airways incidence of December 2007 when she was asked to sign an indemnity bond. The signing would have absolved the airliner from all the responsibilities. She had refused to sign the bond and later the airliner had to issue a public apology to her.
Ms. Jindal also strongly raised the issue of lack of accessible toilet in the aircrafts. “These airlines can have first class cabin and luxurious showering room, but not an accessible toilet! Imagine holding your bladder for 6-10 hours in a long-haul flight,” she wondered.

"Why are we afraid to say 'This hurts me. Change it.'?"@Svayam_India founder Ms. @SminuJindal talks about #Accessibility4All at @BSEIndia @YiTweets event
Watch full video here: https://t.co/CMQVLMNPRf #TakePride2018 #Inclusion #Accessibility #Accessibility4All #InclusiveIndia pic.twitter.com/0uujNl2Hsb

— Svayam (@Svayam_India) March 13, 2018

Svayam’s Founder told the young audience how Svayam helped the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to make the first ever World Heritage Site of Qutub Minar accessible, followed by other WHS such as the Taj Mahal, Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri Group of Monuments. “The footprints increased phenomenally after these monuments were made accessible,” she said.

She also talked about Svayam’s contribution in 2011 Census’ campaign – “Stand Up and Be Counted”. It was the clarion call for persons with disabilities to have themselves enumerated in the final round of the 2011 Census. Svayam raised awareness, so that families did remember to answer question No. 9 – the question framed to gather information about number and categories of disabilities. During the campaign, Ms. Jindal had said that by hiding, person with disabilities deny themselves the right to be citizens and deny the government an opportunity to plan for their empowerment.

Ms. Jindal said, “There is no shame in having a disability. You may have a disability; still, you can be glamourous and pursue your passion as usual.”

She also said that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 has increased number of disabilities from 7 to 21. “This increases the importance of accessibility in built environment.”

Ms. Jindal also talked about Svayam’s international presence. In 2012, the Transport Research Board’s (TRB) Standing Committee on Accessible Transportation and Mobility (ABE60) agreed to establish the Permanent Secretariat of the Triennial TRANSED Series of conferences to be run by Svayam as its sole contribution to the promotion of mobility and transportation for the elderly and the disabled people.

She also talked about small little changes which can make big differences in the lives of people with reduced mobility, such as a proper ramp gradient, wider doors, ‘but most importantly an open heart!’

“If I can, you can, and together, we can,” Ms. Sminu Jindal exhorted the young audience to work for accessibility now for their own better tomorrow.

Young Indians (Yi) Tweeted:

Fortune’s one of the most powerful women @SminuJindal #TakePride2018 #BeMaximum pic.twitter.com/oYsZ1H5ueL

— Young Indians (Yi) (@YiTweets) March 10, 2018

February 24, 2018

Svayam Founder featured on AXSChat

Dear Colleagues,

#AXSChat is an open online community of individuals on Twitter, dedicated to creating an inclusive world who believe that accessibility is for everyone. Every week, #AXSChat features a different guest who is contributing to making the world a more inclusive place through technology or innovating to enable wider participation in society for people with disabilities.

In this series, on 24 February 2018, our Founder-Chairperson Ms. Sminu Jindal was invited by AXSChat team for an online interview. The live interview conducted by Mr. Neil Milliken (England), Mr. Antonio Santos (Ireland) and Ms. Debra Ruh (United States) focused on a number of issues around accessibility, sustainability, ICT, Smart Cities and Svayam’s contribution towards an inclusive world.

Ms. Jindal spoke at length on importance of raising awareness about accessibility and how it benefits everyone and not merely the persons with disabilities. She highlighted the grey areas in transport sector especially the aviation sector where long haul flights still did not consider accessible toilets as a necessity and why the stakeholders across the world continue to suffer in silence without making a hue and cry about it! She emphasized that on-board accessible toilet isn’t a luxury but a basic human right for persons with reduced mobility!

She also said that youth need to be sensitized as they can become change makers for a more sustainable and accessible world. Ms. Jindal emphasized on the importance of accessible toilet at every school in rural areas, so that the people still not exposed to the benefits of the accessibility are able to experience the benefits and be inspired to make their own toilets accessible. This would also enable the persons with reduced mobility such as older adults to contribute to national building.

Watch the full interview here and continue to support #Accessibility4All

January 11, 2017

Aiming for an accessible future: Navhind Times features Ms. Sminu Jindal

NT, January 11, 2017 in Buzz
SHERAS FERNANDES| NT BUZZ

Question 1: You are now one of India’s leading business leaders, promoting equal accessibility rights movement in India. Tell us something about your journey.

Answer: I was a young child when I met with an accident and the world changed for me which kept me wondering how people lived life. As I grew older I realised that there are many who will benefit with accessible infrastructure. Accessibility enables one with smoother ways to move from one place to another. The idea is to do it safely for all women, children and elderly people to benefit with better ways and routes. People don’t understand how accessibility can affect people who are on the wheelchair. The whole idea is nature has made challenges around us and people are there to help us to overcome them. Human beings should ensure that infrastructure is accessible to live a normal life.

Question 2: Can you throw some light on the current scenario of the lives of people with reduced mobility in India and Goa in particular?

Answer: According to what I have observed in the past few years I have realised that people with reduced mobility in Goa don’t like to go out of their houses, whether it is their choice or the situation. Since Goan culture is about susegad it could be out of choice that people chill. Quoting census 2011, out of 1.5 million people in Goa almost 1 lakh people are directly impacted by accessibility at any given time (including the ones who are temporarily disabled due to accidents and falls).

Question 3: According to you how can accessibility for those with reduced mobility benefit both tourism and economy, especially in a state like Goa?

Answer: We as Indians miss out on a huge amount of opportunities. In terms of economic gain we have not thought if what will happen if we have accessible restaurant. It is to think a little beyond and make it a little bit different.

Question 4: The general debate is that ‘Accessibility is not just about disability’ can you please explain this statement?

Answer: Move around Goa and you will see how accessible or inaccessible Goa is. Do we have accessible ways for a baby in a pram or an old man with a walker? We must have civic sense and be sensitised about the issue of people with reduced mobility. If accessibility is brought into implementation, somewhere down the line when we become older we too will be at an advantage, as we will not have to rely on anyone. Accessibility is not a disability topic it is a developmental topic as it benefits everyone in the society.

Question 5: What are your plans in improving the accessibility scenario in India? Do you have any specific plans for Goa?

Answer: I believe that Goa is a law abiding state and it is a state that wholeheartedly welcomes people from different walks of life. If a few things are kept in mind it will benefit the society as a whole. Three main things are the, size of a ramp, size of the door which should be at least three feet wide and an accessible bathroom – there are clear cut designs available and Svayam website offers them for free. If these three things are kept in mind, from a 100 per cent difficulty, life becomes only 20 per cent difficult for people and particularly for people with reduced mobility. The rest 20 per cent difficulty is transport. If transport is made accessible people with reduced mobility have their ‘me’ time and do not have to rely on anyone. Buses, pathways and proper curb cuts are essentials that will further reduce the difficulties for a person with reduced mobility. There are few things which are complicated but if you understand them you can make roads accessible.

Question 6: Did you encounter any incident in life that made you believe that equal accessibility is not just important, but should also be a right for everyone?

Answer: I encounter so many incidents in different aspects of my day to day life. When I stay in a hotel there is only one accessible room which is not always what one desires. When we talk about a chilled way of life how can we live when someone else around us is in pain. For me sometimes the stairs of a church or temple is like Mount Everest. When God has given a problem why can’t other people help one another to find a solution. Give people the means of livelihood through accessibility. You should give somebody a gift that he remembers for life and accessibility can make a good gift.

Question 7: How has Svayam helped in breaking barriers and making necessities like education and healthcare accessible for people irrespective of their age and physical ability?

Answer: In a country like India people must understand the problems of those with reduced mobility and the need for accessibility for the benefit of the society. So my constant struggle is to talk to people and higher authorities like the education, health or tourism minister to make them aware on the need for accessibility. We are doing it at a central level (Delhi). Whenever I travel, I make it a point that I speak to people about accessibility; I have a greater hope of accessibility coming to Goa soon.

Source: Navhindtimes

August 12, 2015

GOI seeks partnership with Corporate sector for Accessible India Campaign

Government of India reaches out to the Corporate Sector seeking partnership in realising the dream of #AccessibleIndia. The corporates can take up a public buildings & spaces. The mobile app to give wings to this programme is likely to be launched towards the end of August 2015.

Here is the coverage in Economic Times:

Accessible India: Let’s make public buildings disabled friendly says government to India Inc
By NIDHI SHARMA, ET Bureau | 8 Aug, 2015, 04.00AM IST

NEW DELHI: Adopt a public building and make it disabled-friendly – this is what the government is telling companies. As part of its Sugamya Bharat or Accessible India initiative, the Centre is roping in big corporates and asking them to take up a school, hospital, park, mall or other public building in their city for this purpose.

The initiative will begin with the identification of public places that are inaccessible to the differently abled and need minor structural changes, including ramps for wheelchairs or tactile strips and braille signage for the visually challenged. The department of disability affairs in the ministry of social justice and empowerment is developing a mobile app in connection with this initiative. Using this, anyone can take a photograph of a public building and upload it, flagging how it’s not disabled friendly.

The department of disability affairs will draw up a list of buildings that need to be upgraded and send it to the states.

“The ministry or the states would not have the funds to make all these corrections,” a senior ministry official told ET. “But corporate players and private firms would have money under their corporate social responsibility schemes to undertake such initiatives.”

Even before the launch of the mobile app or the initiative, the disability division has started getting queries from the corporate sector. “A Bangalore-based firm has asked us how can they be of some help in this initiative,” the official said.

“A few other queries have come. As we formally launch the programme by the end of this month, we are confident the corporate players would come forward and adopt public buildings.”

Source: Economic Times

June 23, 2014

Maharastra ASI monuments to have braille signage soon

Shaniwarwada, Ajanta & Ellora to soon host signages in Braille

Neha Madaan,TNN | May 25, 2014, 06.03 AM IST

PUNE: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will put up information and signages in Braille at historical monuments in the state. The initiative, launched in some monuments in Delhi, will be introduced in phases. It will cover heritage sites like Shaniwarwada, Aga Khan Palace, Elephanta Caves, Kanheri caves, Solapur Fort, Ajanta and Ellora and several others.

An ASI official told TOI on Monday that ticketed monuments in the Mumbai-circle will be taken up for installing Braille signages. In the next phase, they will be put up in the remaining monuments, he said.

“The modalities of this initiative including the budget will be worked out soon. We will take inputs from Delhi and Bhopal, where the initiative has already been started,” the official said.

A senior official from the ASI Delhi headquarters, said, “We realized that ASI has to cater to the visually-challenged, along with introducing other measures for people with disabilities. These include ramps, wheelchairs, and washrooms. Putting up information in Braille is part of the exercise.”

New Delhi-based Svayam, an initiative of the SJ Charitable Trust, has been working with ASI as consultants for over eight years, in making heritage sites accessible to all, including senior citizens and the disabled.

Abha Negi, director of Svayam, said, “We had made several suggestions to ASI in our audit reports on monuments, including putting up tactile maps and information in Braille in monuments. They could put up the tactile map in only one monument, but we do hope they put it in other places in the state as well.”

Negi added that Braille signages are a snapshot of what the monuments have to offer, how the visitor can go around, apart from providing information on the history of the place. Tactile maps help the user in getting knowledge of their environment. “It is a guiding map which shows the user how the monument is and the topography of the place,” she said.

Meanwhile, the newly-formed ASI Nagpur circle will focus on introducing basic amenities before installing the Braille signs. “Facilities like drinking water, toilets and ordinary signs are being planned in monuments such as Markanda in Gadchiroli district and in Lonar and Ramtek. As many as 25 such monuments will be taken up in 2014-15, with an approximate budget of Rs 20 lakh per monument,” an official said.

Box: Disabled-friendly signs

The signs will be easily visible with more focus on the background and panel contrasts,

Contrasting the text and symbols with the panel will make the sign easily readable

Tactile text and symbols along with Braille will help a blind person read the sign

Signs which show the correct use of colour contrast, words, pictogram and arrow directions will cater to diverse users

(Source: Svayam)

May 13, 2014

Agra and Delhi Monuments under ASI to go Braille-friendly

Dear friends,

Seven years back Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Svayam together embarked on the mission to make the world heritage sites accessible to all including the elderly and the disabled and entered in to an MoU. We are proud to share the fact that our joint efforts have been recognized and feted by not just the stakeholders but the Union Tourism Ministry, Government of India in form of prestigious National Tourism Awards for making Qutb Minar, Red Fort & Fatehpur Sikri Group of Monuments as accessible & most disabled friendly monuments in past few years.

We appreciate the spirit in which ASI has implemented the recommendations of the Access Audit Reports shared by Svayam of monuments related to Delhi Circle as well as Agra Circle, particularly making provisions of Tactile & braille information at the heritage sites & museums for the benefit of the visually impaired visitors. The braille signage were provided at all monuments under Agra Circle by Arushi – a Bhopal based NGO that works with people with disabilities.

Visually impaired visitors reading the braille information board at Taj Mahal — Braille signage installed at Taj Mahal by ASI with technical assistance from Arushi – a Bhopal based NGO.

Braille Signage at Taj-2 — Braille Signage standing next to the text signage at Taj Mahal entrance.

Needless to say this would not have been possible if the Archeological Survey of India had not been committed to take this lead and not only translate its own mission of conserving and maintaining the national heritage sites but taking it to a higher level of making it accessible in all terms of the word to all.

The Superintending Archaeologists of different circles should take lead in ensuring that the monuments under their control are made completely accessible in terms of the access audit reports as well as best practices shared with them. We congratulate Mr. NK Pathak , SA -Agra Circle & Mr. M. Ali, CA – Taj Mahal and Mr. Vasant Swarnkar, SA-Delhi Circle for this initiative. This gradually needs to be replicated at all other world heritage sites and ticketed monuments under other Circles of ASI.

Here is a related news from Delhi Circle that appeared in Indian Express

For visually challenged visitors, ASI makes monuments Braille-friendly

Express News Service | New Delhi | May 13, 2014 2:33 am

In an effort to disseminate information to visually-impaired visitors, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has put up signs in Braille, explaining the cultural and historical significance of the structures at the most-visited monuments in Delhi.

The move came after officials at the Delhi circle of ASI realised the need to reach out to people with disabilities and decided to put these signboards up.

“The project was the brainchild of Superintendent Archaeologist (Delhi) Vasant Kumar. He suggested that blind people visit Delhi’s monuments frequently, but have to rely on either people with sight to read out the information boards to them or hire tour guides, who often give them wrong information. So, it was decided that in addition to Hindi and English, we should have signboards in Braille language too. We got in touch with blind schools in the city and translated the text into Braille with their help. Now, visually-challenged visitors can read the history of our heritage structures on the newly-installed signboards,” a senior ASI official said. Kumar was unavailable for comment.

To begin with, the ASI has put up the Braille signposts only at the 10 ticketed monuments, including the three World Heritage Sites – Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar – that are also among the most frequented places in the city, both by domestic as well as foreigner tourists. The other monuments to get the signs are Jantar Mantar, Old Fort, Safdarjung Tomb, Tughlaqabad Fort, Kotla Feroze Shah, Sultan Ghari’s tomb and Rahim Khan-e-Khana tomb.

The feedback ASI has got from the visitors ever since the Braille signs were put up two months ago has reportedly been very positive and encouraging. The organisation is now planning to implement it in other structures too.

“People are happy; earlier, they could visit the monuments but not see anything. This move not only provides them information but also gives them a greater sense of involvement. We will now gradually extend these information boards to all monuments that witness a high footfall,” the official added.

Lauding the effort, INTACH Delhi convenor AGK Menon said the move is a “great effort” and was legally required. “As per the Disability Act, every public place needs to made accessible for people with special needs. For example, the herbal garden in Rashtrapati Bhavan is one place that has signs in Braille for a long time. So, this is a good idea. We should increase it to more and more public places,” he said.

National Blind Youth Association (NBYA) general secretary Shobhit Yadav said the ASI’s move will “go miles” in helping blind children and adults trying to understand the city’s history and culture.

“Special schools sometimes take their blind students out for educational excursions but not as much as normal schools, where children with eyesight study. This is mainly because the children have to rely on others for information. The information boards in Braille will be an important step towards their understanding and reading of national history,” Yadav explained.

Sound shows and historical documentaries, he suggested, could also prove extremely helpful for blind students and need to be conducted more often at these heritage sites. “That way, they can at least listen to the historical facts being laid out.”

News Source: Indian Express

March 19, 2013

National Tourism Award for Best Disabled Friendly Monument for WHS Fatehpur Sikri

National Tourism Award for Best Disabled Friendly Monument for WHS Fatehpur Sikri

New Delhi, 18 March 2013

Picture of Cover page of Citation Book for National Tourism Awards 2011-2012 — Cover page of Citation Book for National Tourism Awards 2011-12

The Fatehpur Sikri group of monuments in Agra has bagged the prestigious National Tourism Award 2011-12 for “the best maintained and disabled-friendly monument”.

The award was given away at a function here on Monday by President Pranab Mukherjee and presided over by Minister of State for Tourism K. Chiranjeevi.

Six years back the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Svayam, an NGO working in the field of accessibility, joined hands to make the world heritage sites accessible to all the elderly and the disabled.

It’s a proud moment to share the fact that yet again our efforts have been recognized and feted by not just the stakeholders but the Union Tourism Ministry, Government of India by conferring this award for making the Fatehpur Sikri Group of Monuments accessible.

Picture of Svayam Founder Ms. Sminu Jindal receiving the award at the hands of Hon'ble President of India Mr. Pranab Mukherjee — Svayam Founder Ms. Sminu Jindal receiving the award at the hands of Hon’ble President of India Mr. Pranab Mukherjee

Svayam conducted an access audit of Fatehpur Sikri and shared the access strategies with ASI for making the heritage site inclusive and welcoming for everybody while addressing different demographic needs. ASI implemented the audit recommendations with Svayam handholding the entire process. The access provisions like ramps, signage’s, accessible toilet units, accessible ticket counters, dedicated parking facility, defined access route etc. make the heritage site of Fatehpur Sikri a well maintained and disabled friendly monument.

an image of Citation for Best Maintained and Disabled Friendly Monument - Fatehpur Sikri Group of Monuments Agra showing a huge ramp constructed at the Buland Darwaza — Citation for Best Maintained and Disabled Friendly Monument – Fatehpur Sikri Group of Monuments Agra

Svayam founder- Sminu Jindal said the awards and recognition highlight the need for making these places accessible and address the leisure requirements of varied demographic needs. “Monuments are common heritage properties and it is heartening to see ASI’s initiatives in carrying out Svayam’s audit reports to make Fatehpur Sikri accessible to people with reduced mobility,” she added.

Here is the media coverage of the event:

(a) Breaking Tourism News : Fatehpur Sikri Group of Monuments bags Best maintained and disabled friendly monument’ with joint efforts of Svayam & ASI

(b) The Hindu : Fatehpur Sikri Monuments bags Tourism Award

September 20, 2012

Svayam Accessibility Awards 2012 Conferred

New Delhi, September 20, 2012

The First ever “Svayam Accessibility Awards” were held on the sidelines of 13th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED 2012 Conference) that took place at New Delhi during 17-20 September 2012.

The Awards were given away on 19th September by Mr. Arvinder Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Urban Development, Government of NCT of Delhi, the Chief Guest for the occasion.

Award Categories & Recipients

Mr. RK Kasana receiving the Award on behalf of DTC

Most Accessible Public Transport: Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) received the award for introduction of Low floor accessible buses – both ac and non-ac models and for a sensitized fleet of drivers and conductors. The award was received by Sh. R.K. Kasana, Chief General Manager, DTC .

Dr. D.N. Dimri, receiving the Award on behalf of ASI
Most Accessible World Heritage Site (WHS): Archeological Survey of India (ASI) received the award for the WHS Red Fort, New Delhi. The award was received by Dr. D.N. Dimri, Superintending Archaeologist, Delhi Circle on behalf of ASI.
Mr. Niranjan Khatri receiving the Award on behalf of ITC Welcom Group

Most Accessible Luxury Hotel Chain: The award was conferred on the ITC Welcome Group for maintaining the most accessible luxury hotel chain and promoting universal design in the hotels. The award was received by Sh. Niranjan Khatri, GM- WelcomeEnviron Initiatives of ITC Welcome Group.
Mr. R. Hari receiving the award on behalf of The Lemon Tree Hotel Company

Most Accessible Budget Hotel Chain: The award was conferred on The Lemon Tree Hotels for being the most accessible budget hotel chain. The award was received by Sh. R. Hari, GM (Human Resources) for The Lemon Tree Hotel Company.

Jury/ Award Committee 2012

Dr. Sudhir Krishna, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, Govt. of India
Ms. Poonam Natarajan, Chairperson, National Trust, Govt. of India
Ms. Billie Louise [Beezy] Bentzen, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Accessible Design for the Blind
Mr. Russell Thatcher, Co-Chair, ABE 60 Committee of TRB
Ms. Ann Frye, Director, Ann Frye Ltd. and Member, International Activities Sub Committee of ABE 60, TRB
Dr. Lalita Sen, Professor, Texas Southern University, Co-Chair, ABE 60 of TRB
Dr. K.K. Muhammed, Former Superintending Archeologist, ASI

Awards Background

Svayam Accessibility Awards were instituted on 25 October 2010 to promote and recognize the concept of Accessibility & Universal Design in all spheres of our lives to make way for livable communities – in both rural & urban scapes. The awards are conferred on the organizations in the TRANSED hosting nation, that have shown consistent commitment towards providing accessible infrastructure and services for all. These awards play a pivotal role in providing the right impetus to the development of inclusive infrastructure, related policies & practices so that such initiatives are sustainable and meaningful.

About TRANSED2012:

Over 600 attendees from 46 countries from across the world representing all aspects of the infrastructure and transportation value chain joined the TRANSED 2012 conference which was hosted by Svayam, in partnership with the Ministry of Urban Development, Govt. of India, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India & Ministry of Transport, Govt. of NCT of Delhi and was co-sponsored by Transportation Research Board of USA. Canadian Transportation Agency also came up in a big way as one of the supporting organizations to the conference. Around 240 papers and 40 posters from 32 countries were presented during three-day long deliberations during 17-20 September 2012.