Shri Thawarchand Gehlot, Honourable Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India (GOI), and Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder, Svayam, jointly unveiled “Guidelines for Making Religious Places Accessible” in New Delhi on 25 January 2019.
In photo (From Left to Right) – Dr. Kamlesh Pandey (Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities), Mr. Thawarchand Gehlot (Union Minister, Govt of India) & Ms. Sminu Jindal (Founder-Svayam), and Sh. SK Prasad, Dy. CCPD, jointly unveiling the Svayam authored booklet: “Guidelines for Making Religious Places Accessible” on 25 Jan 2019 in New Delhi.
Prepared by Svayam, the Guidelines were jointly published by Svayam and the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD).
Cover page of the Guideline on Making Religious Places Accessible
As accessibility helps not only the devotees with disabilities, but also the elderly, women, sick and injured believers/worshipers, this Booklet can help set new benchmarks of accessible and inclusive religious places. The Guidelines can help management committees overseeing religious sites in providing minimum accessibility features at their shrines/ place of worship.
While unveiling the guidelines, Shri Gehlot said, “The Guidelines is a big step towards honouring the tenets of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act 2016, and may also add strength to the ongoing Accessible India Campaign.”
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder – Svayam, said, “Every religion teaches us that all humans have equal rights to seek God and pray at their chosen places. I hope the management committees of various religious places take advantage of the recommendations/tips given in this first-of-its-kind booklet in the country to achieve universal accessibility standards to make their shrines accessible, so that no one is left behind in their pursuit of spirituality.”
Dr. Kamlesh Kumar Pandey, Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, said: “Considering the mandate of the Office of CCPD and provisions of the RPwD Act 2016, we are happy to join hands with ‘Svayam’. Based on the National Standards, the present guidelines are in short, crisp and easy-to-implement format.”
Mr. Pandey added that, he would urge all the State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities to ensure accessibility at religious places in their respective states based on these guidelines.
केंद्रीय मंत्री ने स्वयम की पुस्तिका “धार्मिक स्थानों को सुगम्य बनाने के लिए दिशानिर्देश” का अनावरण किया
नई दिल्ली | 25 जनवरी 2019
25 जनवरी 2019 को, श्री थावरचंद गहलोत, माननीय केंद्रीय मंत्री, सामाजिक न्याय एवं अधिकारिता मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार, एवं सुश्री स्मिनू जिन्दल, संस्थापक, स्वयम, ने संयुक्त रूप से “धार्मिक स्थलों को सुगम्य बनाने के लिए दिशानिर्देश” पुस्तिका का अनावरण नई दिल्ली में किया।
स्वयम ने ऑफिस ऑफ़ चीफ कमिश्नर फॉर पर्सन्स विद डिसैबिलिटीज (सी.सी.पी.डी.) के साथ साझेदारी करते हुए इस पुस्तिका का प्रकाशन किया।
पुस्तिका का विमोचन करते हुए केंद्रीय मंत्री श्री गहलोत जी ने कहा, “यह दिशानिर्देश ‘दिव्यांग अधिकार अधिनियम 2016 (RPWD Act)’ के नियमों एवं सिद्धांतों को ज़मीन पर उतारने की ओर एक बड़ा और सही कदम है। इस पुस्तिका का लेखन एवं प्रकाशन करके ‘स्वयम’ ने भारत सरकार द्वारा चलाये जा रहे ‘सुगम्य भारत अभियान’ को भी गति देने का एक सराहनीय कार्य किया है।”
सुश्री स्मिनू जिन्दल ने टिप्पणी करते हुए कहा: “ सभी मनुष्यों को उनके द्वारा चुने हुए स्थानों पर ईश्वर की तलाश करने और प्रार्थना करने का समान अधिकार है। मुझे उम्मीद है कि विभिन्न धार्मिक स्थानों की प्रबंधन समितियां अपने धार्मिक स्थलों को सुगम्य बनाने के लिए इस पुस्तिका में दी गई मानकों का इस्तेमाल करेंगे, ताकि कोई भी अध्यात्म की खोज में पीछे न रह जाए।”
डॉ. कमलेश कुमार पाण्डेय, सी.सी.पी.डी., सामाजिक न्याय एवं अधिकारिता मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार, ने कहा: “ऑफिस ऑफ़ सी.सी.पी.डी. ‘दिव्यांग अधिकार अधिनियम 2016 (RPWD Act)’ के प्रावधानों को ध्यान में रखते हुए ‘स्वयम’ के साथ हाथ मिलाया है। राष्ट्रीय मानकों के आधार के साथ, यह पुस्तिका संक्षिप्त है और इसमें आसानी से लागू होने वाले प्रारूप/मानक दिए हुए हैं। हमें उम्मीद है कि विभिन्न धर्मों से संबंधित लोग अपने धार्मिक स्थलों को सभी के लिए सुगम्य बनाने के लिए इसकी मदद लेंगे और इसके बारे में प्रचार-प्रसार भी करेंगें।”
श्री पांडे ने कहा कि, वे सभी राज्य आयुक्तों (दिव्यांगजन) से आग्रह करेंगे कि वे इन दिशानिर्देशों के आधार पर अपने-अपने राज्यों में धार्मिक स्थानों पर सुगम्यता सुनिश्चित करें|
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.
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.
#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
An indefatigable accessibility crusader, Ms. Sminu Jindal is a visionary entrepreneur who broke the myth that women cannot lead the big business entities. She successfully took the Jindal SAW Limited, a part of the $18 billion Jindal Group of Industries, to greater heights. In 2000, she founded ‘Svayam’- an initiative of the S.J. Charitable Trust, with an aim to make this world, particularly India, accessible and dignified for the people with reduced mobility. Svayam has worked with ministries, departments and organizations to bring about path-breaking changes in the accessibility landscape in India, including making the World Heritage Site Qutub Minar accessible to the people with reduced mobility.
In a brief chat with Mr. Santosh Kumar, the CSR Vision correspondent, Ms. Sminu Jindal, MD, Jindal SAW Ltd. & Founder-Chairperson, Svayam, talks about lack of awareness about accessibility, importance of making rural India accessible, accessibility as a CSR option, and how inclusive schooling can be a game changer, among other things. Excerpts from the interview:
When people hear the word ‘Accessibility’, they immediately link it with the disabled or disability, while the truth is that accessibility is required by anyone with reduced mobility such as the elderly, expecting mother and the injured. How do you remove this ‘Big Confusion’ and convince people as well as the policymakers about this everyone’s need?
“There is a widespread lack of awareness about accessibility which benefits all” – Ms. Sminu Jindal, MD, Jindal SAW Ltd. & Founder-Chairperson, Svayam
That is very true. Due to lack of awareness, people generally assume that accessibility is only for the disabled. Also, people are either too sympathetic or totally apathetic towards the persons with disabilities. We need to accept that people with disabilities need opportunity, not charity. They are as normal as anyone else, and they don’t deserve any less or more dignity. And disability does not mean ‘inability’.
I think a greater, sustained and robust awareness is needed to spread the message amongst the people as well as the policymakers and other stakeholders that accessibility is for all; it benefits everyone. Doesn’t an accessible toilet help a pregnant lady, an elderly with reduced mobility or an injured, or a patient who just had an operation? Does a ramp only help a wheelchair user?
You have already made a name for yourself in the domain of accessibility, but there is lot to be done. What are your priority areas of action in this sector both at the level of policy as well as action?
Raising awareness is our top priority. Today, India’s 65% population is under 35, which means we will have the same number of elderly population after 30-40 years. So, we need to plan now. Secondly, as India is 70 per cent rural, accessibility is crucial in remote areas and villages. India can be made accessible only when rural India is accessible. The government should add accessibility as a non-negotiable clause in rural schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Gram Awas Yojana, so that a portion of fund is spent on making village infrastructure accessible.
Accessibility is crucial in huge impact areas such as railways, public infrastructure, various modes of transport, tourism and education, as it benefits a large population. So we focus more on these segments.
What do you think about the Government’s mission, “Sarva Siksha Abhiyan” (Education for All)? Does it help children with disabilities?
The Government’s mission, “Sarva Siksha Abhiyan” (Education for All) is a very good idea, but we have to ensure that every child with disabilities get to school. For this, we need accessible school environment, trained and sensitized teachers, awareness, and accessible school transportation. PM’s slogan ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas’ epitomizes the ethos of this great nation. But as I said, we need to take along everyone.
Parents of children with disabilities may feel that special schools are better places for their kids to get education, and that their children may face discomfort in regular schools, but they should understand that today’s discomfort will make their children face the world bravely when they grow up; they will be better equipped to handle the complexities and diversity of life. It will also sensitize other children towards the needs of the children with disabilities, so that they will appreciate the differences. This is true inclusion.
What has been your experience of working in the field of accessibility? What are the issues that you come across?
I feel lack of awareness is the main hurdle. That is why accessibility is often much lower on our priority list. Accessibility is also often neglected at the planning stage. If minimum non-negotiable clauses are added at the planning stage itself, we can save a lot of money because retro-fitting, post the completion of a project, costs 25-30% more.
As per a study conducted by our publication for the Department of Disability Affairs, GOI, awareness about disabilities and accessibility amongst the corporate is insignificant. As per your understanding what needs be done to generate awareness amongst the corporate India to enable them to do justice to their CSR budget by focusing on the disability and accessibility sector?
CSR Vision’s findings echo my perception. CEOs are no exceptions; they are not aware about potentials of enabling environment created by accessibility to attract and retain a committed and diverse manpower. They also look at disability as a charity, as opposed to persons with disabilities as equal rights holders. This charity approach is not sustainable. Time has come that Indian CEOs look at persons with disabilities as potential employees. They need to modify their HR policy to make it more inclusive. Researches also reveal that employees with disabilities are more committed, stay longer with their companies, and are more motivated. Companies only need to provide accessibility, and reasonable accommodation at workplaces. The cost for making offices accessible is negligible as compared to the value these employees add to the company.
We also need to work with persons with disabilities and their families, so as to bring a change in their attitude and perception towards life and work.
Traditionally, CSR budget is spent on segments like environment protection, skill development, health, girl child education, etc. After the latest amendments in the Companies Act, areas related to accessibility, inclusive education, culture, disability sports have also been added to the list which can be funded under the CSR budget. However, very few companies consider these new areas.
In absence of any committed action by the Government in the development of accessible infrastructure, what initiatives can be taken by the civil society/NGO to ensure the public infrastructure is accessible in the whole country, especially rural areas?
We can’t say that the government has no committed plan or action for accessibility. But yes, things might get delayed due to bureaucratic hurdles, or simply dye to lack of expertise and awareness. The role of NGOs is crucial in many ways. As I said more actions are needed in rural India, NGOs can help build the right momentum and make it a movement, empower people, raise consensus, and link the cause of accessibility to safety, well being and enhancing the quality of life for all.
You are known as an accessibility champion; accessibility is closer to your soul. You are also heading Jindal SAW Limited. How do you balance family life and work when your pursuit is so big and the pressure is so tremendous?
Accessibility is about quality of life, and giving opportunity to everyone to contribute to the GDP and the National Happiness Index (NHI). I think everyone should be an accessibility champion as it affects all of us at some point of our lives. Accessibility also ensures that old and disabled people live, and not just breathe.
Yes the work pressure is too much, but when your work is your passion, you don’t get tired, bored or detached. I am also fortunate to have a family which shares my passion, and is always there to support me, motivate me and tell me ‘never say die’. I am really very thankful to my family.
And today after 17 long years, Svayam has lakhs of people to support its mission. “हम अकेले ही चले थे जानिब-ए -मंज़िल मगर, लोग साथ आते गए और कारवां बनता गया ” |
P.S. – This interview was originally published in CSR Vision Magazine and its PDF version is available at link CSR Vision [December 2017 edition](PDF File size 5.32MB)
Shri Prakash Javadekar, Hon’ble Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Govt. of India, and Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder Chairperson- Svayam and Managing Director- Jindal SAW Ltd., jointly unveiled “कड़ी जोड़ने का एक प्रयास – विकासशील देशों में विकलांग (दिव्यांग) बालकों के लिए स्कूल तक का सफर आसान बनाने में आपकी भूमिका ”, the Hindi Version of an international research “Bridging the Gap: Your Role in Transporting Children with Disabilities to School in Developing Countries” by the Access Exchange International (AEI), USA.
Hon’ble HRD Minister & Founder- Svayam jointly unveiling the Hindi version of book ‘Bridging the Gap”
As part of its ongoing campaign to promote accessible transportation for children with reduced mobility, Svayam, an initiative of the S. J. Charitable Trust, translated and released the Hindi Version.
While releasing the Hindi Version, Shri Javadekar said, “Kadi Jodne Ka Ek Prayas” holds great hope in developing countries like India; it has case studies and examples taken from many countries which can help stakeholders in providing economically feasible, easy and safe accessible school transportation to children with disabilities.”
Mr. Javadekar added, “The book is a big help to strengthen the government’s “Accessible India Campaign” (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan), and I am sure this Hindi Version will surely help in making school transportation “fully accessible” in coming years, and will make the PM’s slogan of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ a reality.”
“Kadi Jodne Ka Ek Prayas” is surely an ambitious step by Sminu Jindal Ji and her Svayam Team towards enabling children with disabilities and reduced mobility to gain universal access, equal opportunity for development, and participation in all aspects of life in an inclusive society,” Mr. Javadekar added in his message which finds place in the Hindi version.
He also assured that his Ministry will facilitate the implementation of the examples given in the book, and invited every stakeholder in education system to come forward and make India fully accessible for the children with reduced mobility.
Ms. Sminu Jindal hoped that “Kadi Jodne Ka Ek Prayas” will help us ensure that no child is left without education merely due to lack of accessible transport and schools. “Together, we can bridge the gap between where students with disabilities live and the schools they need to attend. We also have to ensure that children with disabilities grow up to become citizens as productive as you and I am, and that is possible only when we put them in schools. This book will help us achieve our shard objectives of Inclusive Education.” added Ms. Jindal.
Svayam had helped the AEI in researches, ground studies and liaising with schools and other stakeholders in India for the preparation of this research. The AEI representative Mr. Pete Meslin (also the Director of Transportation, Newport Mesa Unified School District, California, USA, and one of the authors of this Research Book) visited India to attend events aimed to spread awareness about the Hindi Version of the book.
Mr. Pete Meslin, Representative of AEI speaking at an event to raise awareness on accessible transport to schools
Mr. Meslin appreciated Svayam’s efforts and said: “Accessible transportation can help address the long-standing problem of millions of children with disabilities failing to attend school in developing countries including India. Education and transport ministries, transportation providers, schools and local communities including parents, caregivers and disability NGOs can play their roles to make this global mission a big success.”
Svayam and the AEI have been partnering for projects of mutual interest for many years; notable among them are: the development of the World Bank’s Transit Access Training Toolkit for bus drivers and conductors to ensure safe and dignified transport to the elderly and the people with reduced mobility. Svayam had help in the research and prepared the case study for the Toolkit. Also, Svayam publicized the message of the World Bank to reach a larger audience and magnify awareness amongst the bus drivers and conductors. Svayam also helped the AEI in para-transit transport research on auto-rickshaws and carried out modification experiments and User Testing at the Piaggio facility.
To obtain a copy of the book, click here for Hindi version and click here[External website of AEI] for English version. If you are unable to download, drop an email to svayam.india@gmail.com or editor@svayam.com
As part of its ongoing campaign to promote accessible transportation for people with reduced mobility, Svayam, donated a total of 10 wheelchair accessible vehicles to needy stakeholders.
Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder-Chairperson, Svayam, and MD, Jindal SAW Limited, handed over the keys to the recipients in a cheerful atmosphere, and hoped that this would help children as well as adults with reduced mobility to travel with ease and dignity.
Ms. Jindal said, “We are grateful to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for giving a big boost to accessibility movement in India by launching Accessible India Campaign. We at Svayam enthusiastically promote Govt of India’s mission to make transportation accessible for all. It is because we strongly feel that an accessible transport system is the single most crucial link which can make the entire society inclusive and help provide a chance for equal opportunity to all; regardless of their physical abilities.”
“Accessible transport helps people to feel empowered as they can make their own life choices with freedom of movement. Accessible school transportation is also equally important to enable children with disabilities to attend schools for their all-round development”, she added.
These modified vehicles were retrofitted to ensure easy and dignified commutes for people with reduced mobility. As part of the planning, the vans had their ceilings raised for higher headroom, a fold-able ramp for easy entry and exit via wheelchairs, wheelchair restraint mechanism, among many other necessary modifications. Each van can accommodate three persons apart from the driver (including one wheelchair user while being seating on the manual wheelchair).
Ms. Albina Sarkar, Director Mobility India receiving the keys from the Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder Svayam
In an earlier held similar event on 21 April 2017, a total of three vans were given to Mobility India – a Bangaluru based NGO, for use in Bengaluru and North East India, while one van was given to EzyMov for use in Mumbai.
A woman driver of Sakha Taxi (Azad Foundation) receiving the key
Two such vans were given to the Azad Foundation, and one van to Mr. Samuel Mani, at a special ceremony held at the Jindal Centre, New Delhi, on 23rd August 2017.
“We are adding wings to women empowerment and entrepreneurship, as two vans are being given to women-run organisation, Azad Foundation, which runs ‘Sakha Cabs for Women by Women Campaign’, and ‘Women-on Wheels’ program. They offer 24X7 taxi services to women passengers, thus helping the cause of women safety which is a big issue.” said Ms. Jindal.
Dr. Shanti Aulack, Founder President, Muskaan receiving the keys
Three vans were given away to New Delhi based non-profit organizations working with persons with disabilities on 29 September 2017. The recipients were Muskaan PAWCMH (Muskaan Parents Association for the Welfare of Children with Mental Handicap), ASTHA and Family of Disabled.
Ms. Radhika M. Alkazi, Managing Trustee, ASTHA, receiving the keyRepresentative from Family of Disabled (FOD) receiving the key
Svayam believes that accessibility is not limited to only person with disabilities, it is the need of everyone as it makes our lives much easier; hence Svayam has been using the hashtag #Accessibility4All in its all social media campaigns.
Currently no manufacturers make wheelchair accessible vehicles and thus a vehicle is first bought and then taken to authorised fabirators/ workshops.
People with disabilities or organisations working with them, often have to bear additional costs to modify vehicles. Hence, by distributing such vehicles, Svayam is also sending the right message about the need of manufacturers coming out with accessible vehicles to meet the growing needs of the seniors & those with reduced mobility.
By Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder Svayam & MD, Jindal SAW Ltd. 05 Feb 2016
Often one fails to realise how “disability” is related to one’s environment. Isn’t it amazing that with enabling infrastructure, disability vanishes? Even those who are “able-bodied” may not be so continuously, which makes it all the more surprising that we give accessibility such little importance. If you’ve ever accompanied an elderly person to a public building without a ramp, or given a hand to a pregnant lady who may need to hop off a bus, you’ll know what I am talking about. This is something I’ve been all too familiar with since the time I became a wheelchair user at age 11. My father got a ramp built in my school so that I could attend my school like anybody else.
Today, while inclusive education is a legal mandate, lack of enforcement still keeps schools and colleges inaccessible to students and teachers with reduced mobility. Can we not see the opportunities lost to a nation when we keep back people from realising their full potential? How many Stephen Hawkings and Helen Kellers might we be setting back?
Isn’t it amazing that with enabling infrastructure, disability vanishes?
Even those of you who have not faced disability may have experienced the barriers of an inaccessible environment at some point in your lives. A fracture, sickness, age or just being in the family way can make anyone realise the significance of barrier-free infrastructure. Civilisation is all about making life safe, easier and dignified for everyone. This is why accessibility is a matter of grave concern for the public at large, and not just for the purported 2% of the population who are “disabled”.
Despite India having won its freedom in 1947, many Indians, sadly, continue to be denied the dignity and freedom of mobility. In America, it took a Vietnam War for the entire country to be made disabled friendly. Our brave soldiers who fought several wars and terror attacks and lost their limbs in the process are still waiting to be mainstreamed due to lack of accessible infrastructure.
It is vital that anyone with limited mobility — temporary or permanent — be assured a normal life. In India the human spirit of adjustment has been stretched to absurd limits, so much so that the family of a disabled person is ready to adjust rather than verbalise the need for access. Also, the lack of sensitivity towards people with mobility challenges stems from a deep-rooted fatalistic belief-system in which a handicap is viewed as a result of bad karma in past births!
A fracture, sickness, age or just being in the family way can make anyone realise the significance of barrier-free infrastructure.
In this light, the announcement of the Accessible India Campaign has been a breakthrough for all of us. This campaign seeks to make a significant number of public buildings, transportation systems, ICT, accessible to persons with disabilities. I applaud this initiative, as besides setting defined timelines and requisite funds, it demonstrates the government’s will for the first time.
However, there are challenges ahead. Given the huge number of buildings to be access audited, there is a dearth of trained auditors. To move in a systematic fashion, the government must ensure that a good number of access auditors are trained by a pre-qualified team of master trainers. Along with this, the government must direct changes in the curricula of architecture and engineering courses to integrate universal design and accessibility. Similarly, accessibility should be a non-negotiable parameter for permitting any new building plan.
I also feel the most important aspect for making this campaign a success is raising awareness in the larger community that accessibility just doesn’t enable the elderly or disabled but raises the quality of life for everyone.
Currently, we are working in the islands of accessibility. The Metro is accessible yet last mile connectivity from people’s home is missing. Lack of information on accessible routes, inaccessible hospitals, inaccessible public toilet units, one disabled-friendly bogey a train, flouting norms of disability access even in five star hotels makes us feel there is a stronger need for stricter enforcement. Therefore, the campaign must also look at creating mechanisms for strict enforcement and introduce heavier penalties in cases of non-compliance and misuse.
We hope that this campaign doesn’t remain confined to Smart Cities or only urban areas, but that it reaches rural India too.
I believe in the goodness and sensitivity of our citizens and I hope that there’ll soon come a time when accessible pedestrian pathways will not be encroached on or misused for driving bikes. That the citizens will appreciate kerb cuts, right gradient ramps, tactile paving, pedestrian crossings and will also report broken or non-working facilities to the concerned authority — for rights come with duties!
We hope that this campaign doesn’t remain confined to Smart Cities or only urban areas, but that it reaches rural India too. For the Accessible India Campaign to be a success, it must become a movement first. And each of us must embrace it because, at some point in our lives, we all stand to benefit from it. Let’s leave hope in our wake for our future world.
Committee of secys to monitor Accessible India campaign
Press Trust of India | New Delhi
January 18, 2016
The Govt. of India has constituted a committee of secretaries on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to monitor the implementations of the ‘Accessible India Campaign’, which aims at making public spaces accessible to people with disabilities.
A committee of secretaries under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary has been formed to review the progress of ‘Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan’ which was launched on December 3,
the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The campaign was launched with a view to ensuring ease of access for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in government buildings, public transportation and the information
technology field.
The first meeting of the committee was held on 18 January 2016 with the secretaries from Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, Civil Aviation, Road Transport and Highways, Information and Broadcasting etc.
“The Prime Minister had written to Cabinet Secretary following which a Committee of Secretaries has been constituted to monitor the implementation of the campaign.
“The idea is to involve other ministries to effectively deal with hurdles that may arise in the implementation of the campaign,” a senior official in the Disability Division in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said.
The Committee will draw a plan of action. Also, they will hold regular meetings to see that the targets are met in a planned and focused way, the official said.
As part of the campaign, 50 government buildings in 20 tier-1 cities and 25 in 20 tier-2 cities will be made accessible for disabled people by July this year.
This covers building disabled-friendly steps, ramps, corridors, entry ways, emergency, exists, parking as well as indoor and outdoor facilities, including lighting, signage, alarm systems and toilets.
Also, all the 18 international airports will be made disabled-friendly by July, while the remaining 78 domestic airports will be completed by March 2018.
Five major railway stations with the most footfall will be made disabled-friendly by July, while 50 per cent of all railway stations will be made accessible by the community
by March 2018.
“Ideally, a disabled person should be able to commute between home, work place and other destinations with independence, convenience and safety. The more persons with disabilities are able to access physical facilities, the more they will be part of the social mainstream,” the official added.
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is collaborating with Ministry of Home, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Tourism for creating
‘Accessible police stations’, ‘Accessible hospitals’ and ‘Accessible tourism’ respectively across the country.
The Department is also coordinating with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting for enhancing accessibility of Television programmes by incorporating features like
captioning, text to speech and audio description.
