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|
Founder of a pioneering dream – “To Rethink, Redesign, Rebuild a newer world to empower every soul”, an accessibility crusader, India’s first women leader to have broken the glass ceiling in the Steel, Oil and Energy sector, young and dynamic Managing Director of Jindal SAW Ltd. Ms. Sminu Jindal gave away the ‘Svayam Accessibility Awards 2018 (Taiwan Edition)’ at Taipei on the sidelines of 15th International Conference on Mobility and Transportation for the Elderly and Disabled People (TRANSED2018), on 14th November 2018 to leading government and non-government agencies of Taiwan for their wonderful initiatives to promote #Accessibility4All and inclusion.
The Call for Nomination received an overwhelming response from across Taiwan – both from government organisations as well as businesses and social enterprises.
Board of Jury
The Board of Jury for Svayam Accessibility Awards, comprised of International experts and practitioners and included Ms. Ann Frye, Director, Ann Frye Ltd., U.K. and Member, International Activities Sub Committee of TRB ABE 60, Prof. (Ms.) Anabela Simões, Ergonomics Department, Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal and Member, Research Sub Committee of ABE(60) TRB, Mr. Rex CK Luk, Hong Kong Welfare Society, Member, TRB ABE 60 Committee, Mr. Joey Goldman, Independent Consultant/Co-Chair TRB ABE 60, Dr. Geetam Tiwari, Transport Research & Injury Prevention Program (TRIPP), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) New Delhi, Mr. Mohammed Yousuf, US Department of Transport and Member ABE 60, Mr. Anuj Malhotra, Centre for Green Mobility, India, Mr. Amit Bhatt, Director – Integrated Transport, Sustainable Cities, World Resources Institute, India, Prof. M. Balakrishnan, Computer Science Engineering Department, IIT Delhi, and Prof. Sheila Mitra –Sarkar, Founder, Future Trans Consulting and Member, ABE 70 – Women’s Issues in Transportation.
Introductory Film to Svayam Accessibility Awards, its legacy and nominees of 2018 edition.
RECIPIENTS OF SVAYAM ACCESSIBILITY AWARDS 2018 (TAIWAN EDITION):
Category: MOST ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT (POLICY)
Institute of Transportation (IOT), Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), Taiwan
Dr. Chi-Kuo Lin (centre), Director General, Institute of Transportation, MOTC, Taiwan, receiving Svayam Accessibility Award 2018 from Svayam Founder Ms. Sminu Jindal & Mr. Patrick Yey, Hony. Chairman, TRANSED2018, at Taipei on 14 Nov 2018 on the sidelines of 15th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED2018)
Citation: The Institute of Transportation (IOT) helps the MOTC in accessible public transportation using a promotion cycle with concepts introduction, planning and design demonstration, operation demonstration, and regulation and policy development. IOT has been successfully assisting MOTC to establish a public transportation that is more in line with the needs of diverse groups, from barrier-free to universal design.
Institute of Transportation, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (IOT-MOTC) introduced the concepts of barrier-free environment through a series of researches since 1990. In 1995, IOT performed a series of studies that demonstrated how to plan, design, and operate the barrier-free vehicles and services.
With the help of a series of researches, IOT successfully demonstrated the planning, design, and operation of barrier-free vehicles and services. IOT also drafted the Regulation based on the gradually implemented accessible public transportation. The Regulation draft accomplished the legalization of accessible public transportation in land (road and railway), sea, and air transportation.
IOT helped towards facilitating the “sustainable development of policies for accessible public transportation to establish an inclusive environment.”
Congratulations Institute of Transportation, MOTC!
Category: MOST ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT (PRACTICE)
The Bureau of Transportation, Taichung City Government, Taiwan
Mr. Hui-Sheng, Feng, (Centre) Deputy Director, Transportation Bureau, Taichung City Government, Taiwan, receiving Svayam Accessibility Award 2018 from Svayam Founder Ms. Sminu Jindal & Mr. Patrick Yey, Hony. Chairman, TRANSED2018, at Taipei on 14 Nov 2018 on the sidelines of 15th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED2018)
Citation: The Bureau of Transportation, Taichung City Government has undertaken inclusion- friendly accessible transport initiatives such as “Adopting Connected Vehicle Technology to Improve Bus Service” and “Accessibility for Blind and Visually Impaired Passengers”. The Bureau’s ‘City All-in-One Service’ is a ‘visually impaired navigation technology’ combined with public transport applications’ services, which is truly a great enabler. The system also works for inclusion as general population and visually impaired passengers can use the bus service together without any barrier.
In the last two years, the Bureau had started to develop Smart Transportation IOV Service, which includes Continuous promotion of Accessibility for Blind and Visually Impaired Passengers services, Bus shelter flow, and traffic detection. The buses are equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) & driving recorders (MDVR).
Congratulations Bureau of Transportation, Taichung City Government!
Category: MOST ACCESSIBLE TOURIST ATTRACTION
North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, MOTC, Taiwan
Mr. Shi-Ching, Chang (Second from Left), Dy Director General, Tourism Bureau MOTC Taiwan and Mr. Jenn-Chyan Chang (second from right), Director of North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, MOTC, Taiwan, receiving Svayam Accessibility Award 2018 from Svayam Founder Ms. Sminu Jindal & Mr. Patrick Yey, Hony. Chairman, TRANSED2018, at Taipei on 14 Nov 2018 on the sidelines of 15th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED2018)
Citation: In order to a create disabled- friendly environment, the North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, MOTC, Taiwan, has included accessibility as one of its main focus areas toward “Building a Barrier-Free and Accessible Environment at the Keelung Heping Island Park” and North Cost Accessibility Route”, and allocated a dedicated budget to develop accessible facilities.
North Coast offers nursery room, accessible toilet and accessible parking lot, accessible route, while also offering wheelchairs and baby stroller on rent. As North Coast owns one of the most unique geomorphic and incredible beaches in the world, it made the entire facilities accessible so that tourists with disabilities can also enjoy cruise tourism.
Congratulations North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, MOTC, Taiwan!
Category: BEST PRACTICE AWARDS
1. Best Practice (Accessible Transport) : Bureau of Transportation, Tainan City Government, Taiwan
Mr. Wu Yu-Chiu, Section Chief of Transportation Management Section, Tainan City Government, Taiwan, receiving Svayam Accessibility Award 2018 from Svayam Founder Ms. Sminu Jindal at Taipei on 14 Nov. 2018 on the sidelines of 15th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED2018)
Citation: The Bureau of Transportation, Tainan City Government’s “Bus Rapid Transit” system helps in creating a barrier-free environment of bus service. There are 149 low-floor buses now in Tainan with wheelchair zones, specific seats for guide dogs, and companion seats. In addition to 40% low-floor buses ratio, there are 607 new type bus shelters which have been built with LED dynamic information display systems, and 62 of them were selected to be equipped with “blind information dots” and “bus to the station voice broadcast” equipment.
“Rapid Public Transportation System” by the Bureau includes Bus Rapid Transit, Railway Rapid Transit, Inter-modal Stations Development, Demand Responsive Transportation Service (DRTS), Integration of Electronic Tickets and Information, and Advanced Public Transportation System.
Congratulations Bureau of Transportation, Tainan City Government!
2. Best Practice (Accessible Hospitality) : – OurCityLove Social Enterprise Co., Ltd., Taiwan
Prof. Dr. Chong Wey Lin (second from left), Founder and CEO, along with Mr. Jack Chen, Vice CEO, OurCityLove Social Enterprise Co. Ltd., Taiwan, receiving Svayam Accessibility Award 2018 from Svayam Founder Ms. Sminu Jindal & Mr. Patrick Yey (extreme right), Hony. Chairman, TRANSED2018, at Taipei on 14 Nov 2018 on the sidelines of 15th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED2018)
Citation: OurCityLove Social Enterprise Taiwan combines innovative technology and passionate social entrepreneurs to raise awareness, increase inclusivity and improve accessibility for the elderly, mobility impaired, and people with disabilities.
It is now the leading smart city accessibility information service partner for 15 city governments, 3000+ companies in public service category and 77 NGOs in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. Many famous museums, shopping malls, hospitals, schools, transportation stations and government agencies have adopted OurCityLove’s advanced ICT solution to offer inclusive services to all.
Congratulations OurCityLove Social Enterprise!
3. Best Practice (Comprehensive rehabilitation & accessibility services for Persons with Disabilities)- Eden Social Welfare Foundation, Taiwan
Mr. Juo-Sung HUANG, CEO, Eden Social Welfare Foundation, Taiwan, receiving Svayam Accessibility Award 2018 from Svayam Founder Ms. Sminu Jindal at Taipei on 14 Nov 2018 on the sidelines of 15thInternational Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED2018)
Citation: Eden Social Welfare Foundation has undertaken brilliant steps towards accessible para-transit systems, rehab bus transportation provisions, vocational training for persons with disabilities, job counselling, emotional therapy, as well as early intervention services for children with delayed development and residential care for seniors.
Eden has more than 100 service centres in Taiwan and overseas and serves nearly 200,000 people every year. Through a series of activities, such as “Love without Borders – Assistive Devices Donation Project”, Eden has successfully been promoting the cause of disabilities and accessibility in Taiwan and beyond.
Congratulations Eden Social Welfare Foundation!
4. Best Practice [Accessible Transport (Taxi service)] – Joint Award to The Yulon Group, Taiwan and the OurCityLove Social Enterprise, Taiwan
Mr. Vincent Tsao (extreme right) Vice President Luxgen Motor Co. Ltd, Yulon Group & Prof. Dr. Chong Wey Lin (extreme left), Founder and CEO, OurCityLove Social Enterprise Co. Ltd., Taiwan jointly receiving Svayam Accessibility Award 2018 from Svayam Founder Ms. Sminu Jindal at Taipei on 14 Nov 2018 on the sidelines of 15th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED2018)
Citation: The Yulon Group and the OurCityLove Social Enterprise have together redefined access to hotels with its inspiring accessible transport (Taxi service).
Their cooperation inspires social innovation and boosts accessible tourism services in Taiwan. “Luxgen V7 Eco‐Hyper” is the result of their joint design with the inputs from the people with disabilities, and is Taiwan’s first accessible vehicle.
With these breakthrough models, they have successfully tried to address a common frustration among the elderly and people with disabilities and their families — travelling far tourism.
Congratulations Yulon Group and the OurCityLove Social Enterprise!
5. Best Practice (Rehabilitation of People with Intellectual Disabilities) – Children Are Us Social Welfare Foundation, Taiwan
Ms. Sunny Hu, Director, Public Affairs, Children Are Us Social Welfare Foundation, Taiwan, receiving Svayam Accessibility Award 2018 from Svayam Founder Ms. Sminu Jindal at Taipei on 14 Nov 2018 on the sidelines of 15th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED2018)
Citation: Children Are Us Social Welfare Foundation (CAREUS) has constructed a safe working environment for children with intellectual disabilities and has demonstrated the Best Practice in their Rehabilitation. With assistance of social workers and industrial mentors, they teach children with ID professional skills, and have simplified the operational procedures through individualized and differentiated practical training and the design of assistive devices.
Children with ID are engaged in job matching and license acquisition to transform them from “service receivers” into “service providers.” Also, positive values are also being instilled into them for equal participation in the society.
Congratulations Children Are Us Social Welfare Foundation!
Media Coverage
Coverage of Svayam Accessibility Awards 2018, Taiwan Edition held on 14 Nov 2018 at Taipei.
सुश्री स्मिनू जिन्दल, मैनेजिंग डायरेक्टर, जिन्दल सॉ लिमिटेड, एक दूरदर्शी उद्यमी हैं जिन्होंने ये मिथक तोड़ दिया कि महिलाएं स्टील, तेल और गैस क्षेत्र में बड़ी कंपनियों का नेतृत्व नहीं कर सकती। जिन्दल सॉ लिमिटेड, जिसका मौजूदा टर्नओवर Rs. 8300 करोड़ है, को उचाईयों तक पहुंचाने में सुश्री जिन्दल का अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण योगदान रहा है।
सुश्री जिन्दल, जो खुद व्हीलचेयर यूजर है, वर्ष 2000 में ‘स्वयम’ नाम की एक संस्था की स्थापना किया, जिसका उद्देश्य विश्व को सुगम्य बनाना है ताकि बुज़ुर्गों, बच्चों, बीमारों, और दिव्यांगजनों को जीवन जीने और अपने रोज़ मर्रा के कार्यो के करने में किसी भी तरह की परेशानी न हो और वो स्वाभिमान और सुरक्षा के साथ अपना जीवन जी सकें।
स्वयम की स्थापना से पहले देश में अधिकतर लोग केवल विकलांगता के बारे में जानते थे और इनके अधिकारों की मांग करते थे। स्वयम ने लोगो में सुगम्यता को लेकर जागरूकता फैलाना शुरू किआ और पालिसी और धरातल दोनों लेवल पर कड़ी मेहनत की। एक ऐतिहासिक मौका हमें क़ुतुब मीनार को सुगम्य बनाने को मिला जिसके एक्सेसिबल बनने के बाद 20 मेंबर्स वाली संसदीय समिति, जिसके अध्यक्ष श्री सीताराम येचुरी थे, ने क़ुतुब परिसर का सर्वेक्षण किया और देखा कि कैसे सुगम्यता हर तरह के टूरिस्ट्स (बुज़ुर्ग, बच्चे, महिलाएं, दिव्यांगजन) को लाभ पहुंचा रही है। इसके बाद भारतीय पुरातत्व सर्वेक्षण (ASI) ने सारी विश्व धरोहर स्थलों को सुगम्य बनाने का निर्णय लिया जिसमे ताज महल भी शामिल है।
इसके बाद पर्यटन मंत्रालय, दिल्ली सरकार और राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर सुगम्यता से होने वाले फायदे के बारे में जागरूकता बढ़ने लगी और सरकार को ये मालूम हो गया कि सुगम्यता देश के लिए ज़रूरी है। जब सरकार ने ‘सुगम्य भारत अभियान’ की शुरुआत किआ तब बहुत सारी संस्थाओं को रोज़गार से जुड़ने का मौका मिला और पहली बार संस्थाओं ने सुगम्यता के लिए काम करना शुरू किया ।
राष्ट्रीय और अंतर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर सुगम्य वातावरण को प्रोत्साहित करने के लिए स्वयम वर्ष 2012 से अलग अलग देशों में अवार्ड्स भी देता रहा है। अगला पड़ाव ताइवान है।
ऐसा देखा जाता है कि घर में बुज़ुर्ग होने के बावजूद भी लोग अपने घर को सुगम्य नहीं बनाते। क्या ये जागरूकता की कमी की वजह से है या लोगों को ये लगता है की ये काम महंगा होगा?
हाँ, जागरूकता की कमी है। हमें लगता है की हमारे बुज़ुर्गों ने अपनी ज़िन्दगी जी ली और वो अब ‘एडजस्ट’ कर लेगें। हम उनकी दिक्कतों को नहीं समझ पाते और उन्हें ‘एडजस्ट’ करने के लिए बोल देते हैं।
लोग 60 वर्ष की आयु में सेवानिवृत हो जाते हैं परन्तु बेहतर स्वास्थ्य सेवाओं की वजह से रिटायरमेंट के बाद भी उनके पास जीने के लिए लम्बी आयु बची होती है। हमें सोचना चाहिए की 60 से 80 के बीच इस लम्बी उम्र को भला एक बुज़ुर्ग कैसे एडजस्ट कर लेगा। सुगम्य व सुलभ बुनियादी वातावरण और सुविधाओं की कमी के कारण बुज़ुर्ग सोने के पिंजरों में क़ैद हो जाते हैं जिसे वो कभी घर कहा करते थे!
और फिर बुज़ुर्ग ही क्यूँ? सुगम्यता की ज़रूरत आप को है, सब को है। महिलाओं, बीमार, बच्चों, घायल – इन सबको सुगम्य इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर की ज़रूरत पड़ती है। सुगम्यता आपके घर को ‘सुरक्षित’ बनाती है। इसलिए सुगम्य बिल्डिंग, सुगम्य यातायात और सुगम्य सर्विसेज का होना बेहद ज़रूरी है।
ये काम लगता महंगा है किन्तु ऐसा नहीं है। आज के इंटरनेट के ज़माने में सुगम्य घर बनाने के लिए हर इन्फॉर्मेशन आसानी से हासिल की जा सकती है। अगर आप नया घर बना रहें हैं तो इसे सुगम्य बनाने में कोई अलग खर्च नहीं होगा। पहले से बने हुए टॉयलेट को सुगम्य बनाने (रेट्रोफिटिंग) में भी ज़्यादा खर्च नहीं होता, पर ये तो आपको घर बनाते समय सोचना चाहिए था कि चिकनी टाइल्स या संगमरमर न लगाए जबकि बाजार में स्किड-फ्री टाइल्स और ग्रैब बार्स आसानी से मिल जाते हैं। ये तो आपको मालूम होगा की अगर दरवाज़ा चौड़ा होगा तो जहाँ लकड़ी ज़्यादा लगेगी वहां ईट, सीमेंट कम भी तो हो जाएगी।
ये काम महंगा नहीं, डिफरेंट ज़रूर है। या ये कहिये कि ये दूसरी तरह से सोचने की चीज़ है।
पब्लिक इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर को सुगम्य बनाने में मुख्य चुनौतियां क्या हैं?
तीन चुनौतियां हैं। पहली चुनौती जागरूकता की कमी हैं। इसकी वजह से हम ये नहीं जान पाते कि ‘सुगम्यता’ हम सब का विषय है और हमें इससे कभी न कभी तो जूझना ही पड़ेगा। चूँकि हम जागरूक नहीं इसलिए हम अपनी ज़िम्मेदारियों को भी नज़रअंदाज़ कर देते हैं। हम रैम्प का रखरखाव नहीं करते, वहां कूड़ा दाल देते है, ट्रैफिक से बचने केलिए कर्ब-कट से अपनी बाइक निकाल ले जाते हैं, लिफ्ट में बुज़ुर्गों को पहले नहीं चढ़ने देते।
दूसरी बात, मान लो अगर एक बस या बस स्टॉप ख़राब हो जाये तो क्या हम उसे इस्तेमाल करना छोड़ देते है? नहीं, बल्कि हम उसे मेन्टेन करते रहते है। इसी तरह रैंप व सुगम्यता के अन्य साधनों का रखरखाव भी ज़रूरी है।
लोगों के नज़रियें को बदलना दूसरी बड़ी चुनौती है। जैसे हम पानी का इंतज़ाम करते हैं (न कि ये इंतज़ार करें की पहले प्यास लगे फिर कुआँ खोदें), वैसे ही घर को अभी सुगम्य बनाना ज़्यादा ज़रूरी है या फिर पहले चोट लग जाये, विकलांगता और बुढ़ापा आ जाये तब सोचें कि आओ अब घर को सुगम्य बनाते है? तबतक शायद बहुत देर हो चुकी होगी। उम्र के उस पड़ाव में शायद आपके पास आर्थिक निर्णय लेने की क्षमता भी न हो।
ऐसा मानना कि ये तो केवल २% (दिव्यांगजन) लोगों की प्रॉब्लम है फिर भला हम क्यूँ इस विषय पर बात करें, न सिर्फ ग़लत है बल्कि अपने आप को धोखा देने जैसा है। क्या आप बूढ़े नहीं होंगे? क्या आप के घर पर बुज़र्ग नहीं है? क्या आपके घर पर कभी कोई महिला प्रेगनंट नहीं होगी? क्या आपके घर में बच्चे नहीं रहते? क्या किसी को कभी भी चोट नहीं लगेगी? क्या कभी कोई बीमार नहीं पड़ेगा? ये सब हर घर में होता है, इसलिए नज़रिया बदलिए, नज़ारा अपने आप बदल जायेगा।
जागरूकता डिमांड्स को बढ़ाएगी और जब डिमांड्स बढ़ेगी तो सुगम्य घर बनाने वालों और इसमें इस्तेमाल होने वाली चीज़ो की उपलब्धता अपने आप ही बढ़ जाएगी।
तीसरी बड़ी चुनौती आवाज़ न उठाना है। उदाहरण के तौर पर रेलवेज में सुगम्यता को लेकर तो काम हो रहा है पर विमानों में में एक भी सुगम्य टॉयलेट नहीं होता जबकि इसमें प्रथम श्रेणी का कक्ष व विशिष्ट स्नानगृह का प्रावधान होता है। अब जरा कल्पना कीजिये कि आप लम्बी दूरी की हवाई यात्रा पर जा रहे हैं और आपको केवल इसलिए अपने आपको रोकना पड़े कि विमान में एक भी सुगम्य शौचालय नहीं है! क्या ये मानवाधिकार का उल्लंघन नहीं? लेकिन ये हक़ तो तभी मिलेगा जब सारे लोग एक साथ आवाज़ उठाएगें।
दिव्यांग लोगों को हमारे देश में चैरिटी की नज़र से देखा जाता है, जबकि उन्हें सामान अधिकार मिलना चाहिए। इस पर आपके क्या विचार है?
आपने बिलकुल सही कहा। दिव्यांगजनों को सामान अधिकार मिलना ही चाहिए। जन सामान्य ये समझती है कि दिव्यांगजन केवल चैरिटी के पात्र है। स्कूल और कॉलेज सुगम्य नहीं, बच्चो के माता-पिता चाहते नहीं कि उनके बच्चे के साथ कोई दिव्यांगजन पढ़े, कंपनी इन्हे जॉब देना नहीं चाहती क्यूंकि फिर उन्हें अपने ऑफिसेस को सुगम्य बनाना पड़ेगा, इसलिए अधिकतर लोग दिखावे, पुण्य प्राप्त करने या एक अच्छी अनुभूति हेतु थोड़ी देर के लिए दिव्यांगजनों के प्रति सहानुभूति तो दिखा देंगें पर कोई ऐसा काम नहीं करेंगे जिससे एक दिव्यांगजन स्वाभिमान के साथ अपनी रोज़ी कमा सके। दिव्यांगजन को ‘बेचारा’ दिखाने में कुछ संस्थाओं का भी काफी योगदान है। यहाँ तक कि माता -पिता भी अपने दिव्यांग बच्चे को ‘स्पैशल ट्रीट’ करते है, जो गलत है। उनको पूरी तरह दूसरों पर निर्भर बना देते हैं और इस तरह वो बच्चे असली दुनिया और इसकी प्रोब्लेम्स को नहीं समझ पाते और न ही झेल सकते हैं। इसलिए माता-पिता को चाहिए कि दिव्यांग बच्चों को भी आत्मनिर्भर बनाये और उन्हें गिरने और उठने का मौका दे।
दिव्यांगजन को आगे बढ़ने के लिए चैरिटी नहीं, अपॉर्चुनिटी चाहिए। इसीलिए हमें सुगम्य शिक्षा और शिक्षा का सामान अधिकार की मांग करना चाहिए। अगर दिव्यांग बच्चो को चैरिटी के बजाये सुगम्य शिक्षा मिलेगी तो वो अपनी राह तलाशने में खुद सक्षम होंगें।
सम्मिलित समाज तभी बनेगा जब पब्लिक इंफ़्रास्ट्रक्टर, ट्रांसपोर्ट एवं टेक्नोलॉजीज सुगम्य होंगी। जब लोग पालिसी बदलने की बात करेंगे तब अधिकार मिलेगा। ‘स्वयम’ इसी मिशन को लेकर आगे बढ़ रहा है।
सरकार का कितना सहयोग रहा है आपके मिशन में?
सरकार का सहयोग स्वयम के लिए बहुत ज़रूरी है क्यूँकि इतने विशाल देश के आधारभूत ढाँचे को सुगम्य बनाना किसी एक व्यक्ति या संस्था के बस की बात नही। वर्तमान सरकार ‘सुगम्य भारत अभियान’ को लांच करके हमें जागरूकता फ़ैलाने का मौका दिया। अगर हम सब अपनी शारीरिक परिस्थितियों के बावजूद एक साथ विकास के लिए चल पड़े तो वो दिन दूर नहीं जब हमारा देश फिर से ‘सोने की चिड़िया’ कहलाएगा।
जब आपकी सरकार ‘सबका साथ सबका विकास’ की बात करती है तो वो तभी होगा जब सही मायनों में सम्मिलित सर्व शिक्षा अभियान, स्वच्छ भारत, सुगम्य भारत के अन्तर्गत साफ़ और सुगम्य टॉयलेट और इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर और यातायात होगा।
‘स्वयम’ का आगे का क्या प्लान है?
स्वयम सरकार के साथ मिलकर देश को सुगम्य बनाने के लिए पूरी तरह समर्पित और कार्यरत है। हम नेशनल बिल्डिंग कोड (NBC) के अलावा ब्यूरो ऑफ़ इंडियन स्टैंडर्ड्स (BIS) द्वारा स्मार्ट सिटीज मिशन के लिए बनायीं गयी समिति के भी मेंबर हैं। हम केंद्रीय लोक निर्माण विभाग (CPWD) साथ भी हमारे कई प्रोजेक्ट्स चल रहे हैं। पहले भी हम सरकारी डिपार्टमेंट्स जैसे लोक निर्माण विभाग (PWD) और नई दिल्ली नगर निगम (NDMC) के साथ कई बड़े प्रोजेक्ट्स कर चुके हैं।
हवाई यात्रा सुगम्य बनाने के लिए नागरिक उड्डयन मंत्रालय एवं सामाजिक न्याय और अधिकारिता मंत्रालय को हमने CAR (हवाई नियम) को बदलने के लिए कई रेकमेंडेशन्स दिए हैं, और उम्मीद करते हैं की उन्हें जल्द नए CAR में शामिल किया जायेगा।
अभी हमने दिल्ली मेट्रो के अमान्तरण पर उनके 10 मेट्रो स्टेशन को बुज़ुर्गों, महिलाओं, बच्चो, बीमारों एवं दिव्यांगों के लिए सुगम्य बनाने के लिए एक्सेस ऑडिट किया है, जिसका रेकमेंडेशन्स तैयार किया जा रहा है।
इसके अलावा वाराणसी के घाटों को सुगम्य बनाए के लिए हमें आमंत्रित किआ गया था। इन घाटों का एक्सेस ऑडिट संपन्न हो चूका है और रेकमेंडेशन्स भी सबमिट करने के कगार पर हैं।
आहार विहार के पाठकों को सुगम्यता के बारे में आप क्या सलाह देना चाहेंगीं?
जब लोग विकलांग हो जाते हैं या बुढ़ापे की वजह से चल फिर नहीं सकते, तो उनके पास दो विकल्प होते हैं – आप क्या कर सकते हैं, और आप क्या नहीं कर सकते हैं। आप जो नहीं कर सकते हैं उसे पछतावा करने के बजाय, महत्वपूर्ण यह है कि आप अपनी मौजूदा क्षमताओं पर ध्यान केंद्रित करें और देखें कि आप उन क्षमताओं के साथ क्या कर सकते हैं। इसके लिए सुगम्यता के बारे में बोध होना और उसके प्रति कार्यरत होना और आवाज़ उठाना ज़रूरी है।
हम सभी को वास्तविकता को स्वीकार करना होगा और इसके लिए पूर्ण रूप से तैयार भी रहना होगा। हमें सोचना होगा कि भारतवर्ष में 65 प्रतिशत जनसंख्या 35 वर्ष से कम आयु वाले लोगों की है। जब वो बुज़ुर्ग हो जायेंगें तो क्या उन्हें सुगम्य इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर नहीं चाहिए?
अगर एक समावेशी समाज हमें बनाना है तो ‘सुगम्यता’ हमारे लिए “रोटी, कपडा और मकान” की तरह बेहद ज़रूरी होना चाहिए। आपकी मैगज़ीन का नाम भी ‘आहार विहार’ है। उम्मीद है इसके ज़रिये काफी लोगों तक मेरी बात पहुंचेगी और सुगम्य विहार के कैंपेन को बल मिलेगा।
इस नेक काम में हर इंसान की मदद चाहिए तभी ये एक ‘क्रांति’ बन पायेगा और मुझे पूरा विश्वास है कि जिस तरह ‘हरित क्रांति’ एवं ‘श्वेत क्रांति’ आई, उसी तरह अब हम सब मिलकर ‘सुगम्य क्रांति’ लेकर आएगें।
On the invitation of the Base Hospital Delhi Cantt, Ms. Sminu Jindal, Chairperson-Svayam, visited Base Hospital to deliver a ‘Motivational Talk’ to the injured soldiers and their family members, doctors and hospital staff, on 11th May 2018. She was received by Major General Manu Arora, The Commandant, Base Hospital Delhi Cantt.
Ms. Sminu Jindal, delivering the motivational talk at Base Hospital Delhi Cantt
During her motivational talk, Ms. Jindal talked about the initial struggles of her life, and shared that looking at life positively despite disabilities or age is the key to success and happiness.
“When you acquire a disability, you have two options; what you can do, and what you cannot do. Instead of regretting what you cannot do, it is vital that you focus on your existing abilities and see what you can do with those abilities.” said Ms. Jindal.
“Sitting at home like a sad man cannot be a choice. Don’t give anyone an excuse to call you or make you feel ‘बेचारा’ (hapless), she continued. Sharing her own life story, she added, “Due to an accident at the age of 11, I became a wheelchair user for the rest of my life. Apprehensive that others might make fun of me, I did not want to go to school, and instead wanted to study at home. However, my parents ensured that I got a normal school education, so that I could grow and do things like any other child. That way, my parents did not give me any excuse to feel ‘’बेचारा’ !
Ms. Jindal told the rehabilitating soldiers, “I can only give you an outlook. I always admired the soldiers who fight at the borders for others. When you did not bow down in the battlefield on the border, please do not bow down in the battlefield of life. Life is also a war, so fight it and figure out your own path.”
Ms. Sminu Jindal speaking to officers of the Base Hospital Delhi Cantt.
Talking about accessibility and the need of greater awareness, the Svayam founder said: “The prevailing misconception that ramps, lifts and accessible technologies are only for the disabled, need to be demolished. We all need accessibility for ease and safety. Accessibility is a ray of hope which ensures that we can go out and earn our living with dignity. Accessible built environment is crucial to tap the enormous talents in persons with reduced mobility.”
“No matter how long or dark the tunnel is, a single ray of light gives you hope – and accessibility is that ray,” she added.
Ms. Jindal also emphasized that Svayam is pressing upon the government to build one accessible toilet in every village with local material and technology. “This will set an example for others to follow.”
“If our village schools have accessible toilets, our retired or rehabilitated soldiers living in the village can go out and teach. This is another dimension of inclusive education,” she added.
Ms. Jindal at the Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt
Ms. Jindal said: “We need to raise awareness. If voices are many, it will create an impact. Can we not add ‘सुगम्यता’ (accessibility) along with our usual demands – बिजली, पानी और सड़क (electricity, potable water & roads) ? The government has to realize that it needs to look at all sections of society. Then only, ‘सबका साथ, सबका विकास’ (inclusive development) will become a reality!”
She said: “The choice of our daily activities should depend on us, and not on our built environment. That’s why Svayam is working with ministries and government departments to ensure our public infrastructure is accessible. Also, merely making government buildings accessible is not enough, private buildings (open to public) also need to be accessible.”
While answering a query raised by a soldier, Ms. Jindal said: “A सैनिक (soldier) never bows down before an enemy. But today, negativity might be your main enemy; would you bow down? No! you need to have a positive outlook towards life and lot of enthusiasm to beat this enemy.”
Encouraging the Indian armed forces to spread the awareness about importance of accessibility in built and virtual environment towards an more inclusive and caring society, she also praised the work of Base Hospital Rehab Centre, and said that with good rehabilitation and counselling, injured soldiers and their family members can quickly learn to adapt and accept the challenges before them in the life with a positive mindset.
Major General Manu Arora, the Commandant, felicitated the Svayam Founder, and praised her initiatives of spreading such a positive, wonderful outlook towards life through her initiative, Svayam. The Major General exhorted the soldiers and their families that there are shortcomings in everyone’s life, but we need to see what we can do with what we have, and what we can add. He also called upon the participants to link accessibility with their life’s missions.
Taking a cue from an article published in India Today in the year 1999 on the life and work of Ms. Jindal, Maj. Gen. Arora called Svayam Founder a person with true ‘nerves of steel’ and marveled at her achievements in the Indian Industry.
Mr. Subhash Chandra Vashishth, Director, Svayam, made a brief presentation to apprise the audience of his organization’s major projects and achievements in the area of advocacy and policy reforms to achieve the dream of an inclusive and enabling built environment to respect dignity of human lives.
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)
Svayam is amongst the most active accessibility rights organisation in India working in various spheres of society to ensure dignity for people with reduced mobility. Founder of Svayam, Sminu Jindal on her recent trip to Goa spoke to NT BUZZ about how accessibility is not just about disability
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.
