Persons with Disabilities

December 24, 2014

Seeking Incredible and Accessible India

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Seeking Incredible And Accessible India

How Jindal Saw managing director Sminu Jindal is championing the cause of accessibility for the disabled
HIMANSHU KAKKAR

Sep 19, 2014

While her company helps people and businesses gain access to oil and gas through the pipes it creates, for Sminu Jindal, MD, Jindal Saw, access has a completely different meaning. Left wheelchair bound ever since an accident at the age of 11, for 41-year-old Jindal, access means having to navigate offices, homes, bus stops, railway stations, hospitals and schools with limited mobility. She recounts an ordeal during a journey from Delhi to Allahabad by train. “I was wheeled through railway tracks to reach the other platform. Once inside the train, we realised that there was no space for the wheelchair to turn. I had to be lifted and placed on my seat,” she recalls. Add to this the frequent, insensitive enquiries by airline or hospital staff — “Aap kya zara sa bhi nahi uth sakte? (Can you not move even a little bit?)” — as they try to help her to her seat.

After years of dealing with such issues, Jindal decided to take control of the situation by launching Svayam in 2001 with the support of the Jindal Group in order to create awareness about accessibility issues. Once she realised that mere dissemination of information was not enough, though, Svayam started getting actively involved in grassroots work. “India has perhaps the best policies and disabled-friendly infrastructure, but all on paper,” Jindal says. So, she decided to work with the government and in 2007 appealed to the ministry of tourism to release annual funds to state governments and agencies only if they ensure that historical and tourist sites are fully accessible. “The proposal was accepted and Delhi’s Qutub Minar is our biggest success story,” she beams.

Thereafter, Jindal worked with the Archaeological Survey of India to make World Heritage Sites in Delhi, Agra and Goa barrier-free. “In the world of tourism, we need to project India as ‘Incredible, Accessible India’,” she says. Besides helping introduce a query relating to differently abled persons in the Census, Svayam functions as a one-stop shop for anything to do with accessibility, having been invited by government agencies, such as the NDMC and the ministry of education, government of Delhi, to make public conveniences and schools accessible and barrier-free.

Jindal feels that much can be done with respect to attitudinal changes and sensitisation, when it comes to accessibility issues. “The government wants to take steps towards increasing access but nobody sensitises civil engineers or contractors about such things. They sometimes don’t even know why ramps are installed. And most schools don’t even accept handicapped children.”

Thankfully, there is no lack of success stories for her to feel good about the future of accessibility in the country. With a glint in her eyes, she recounts the day she felt great pride at the work done by Svayam: seeing an old man in a wheelchair getting into one of the state transport buses using a ramp installed with the help of the organisation.

For most people, it is quite hard to balance work with their passions and ensure that they don’t neglect either of these. But, for Jindal, there is no distinction between the two as the issue concerns her deeply and personally. “In terms of involvement and dedication, this is very different from setting up a hospital or launching 10 schools. I am giving others a hope for a better life,” she sums up.

Source: Outlook Business dot com

May 14, 2014

Delhi’s Railway Stations continue to defy the Disability Act – remains inaccessible to disabled

Dear Friends,

The Indian Railways has been continuously disregarding the access rights of persons with disabilities and the elderly and has not set its house in order even after nearly two decades of the passage of the Disabilities Act.

Svayam has been advocating that the platforms need to be connected by both- the dynamic measures such as lifts and elevators but also non-dynamic features such as ramps. For Eg. the platforms are interconnected by big ramps at Agra railway stations. The stations in the capital — even the New Delhi Railway Station does not have that interconnectivity. One has to travel through the passage used by luggage vans which goes across the railway tracks.

Svayam also raised the issue of non-implementation of basic design. For instance, the tactile blocks that guide the visually impaired run into walls, railings etc. Also, the descent to the platform from the escalator is marked by a step without a warning tactile block. And there is no accessibility for the hearing and visually impaired persons.

During the Railway Budget of 2013, Svayam has shared the issues in detail with the Railway ministry. However, the ministry has been sitting quite in complete defiance of the law of the land. See a related news in TOI dated 27 Feb 2013 titled Rail Budget 2013: Disabled say there are many hurdles in the way.

Here is the media coverage in TOI today.

Delhi’s railway stations test elderly, disabled

Suhas Munshi,TNN | May 14, 2014, 01.32 AM IST

NEW DELHI: For the city’s elderly and the infirm, train journeys begin with pain and humiliation-at the railway station. In the absence of ramps or lifts, those incapable of walking have to be carried up foot overbridges on way to the platform in the arms of their kin or wheeled through routes meant for transportation of goods. Over the years, say the elderly, this debasing experience hasn’t changed.

At the New Delhi railway station, for instance, 60-year-old Tara Devi, who suffers from joint pains, waited on her walker for half-hour in the hot son as her son went hunting for a wheelchair. Sunheri Devi, 73, had a similar agonizing experience, being carried in his arms by her son to the platform.

“My mother lost a leg recently. Besides, she is too old to walk up the stairs. So, I carried her to the platform,” said son Om Prakash. Asked if he knew about wheelchairs or golf carts provided by the station for free, Prakash shook his head. The response was similar in most spot interviews TOI conducted of persons with some sort of disability.

Article in Newspaper image format as it appeared in the Times City

Clearly, while railway authorities say they have made arrangements for wheelchairs and golf carts at some stations, most passengers haven’t heard about it yet. Those who have, find it impractical and use it only as a last resort.

Of the major railway stations in Delhi, only Anand Vihar has been designed with a functional ramp to take the wheelchair-bound across the platforms. At Hazrat Nizamuddin, Old Delhi or New Delhi stations, the disabled have to be ferried to the end of a platform where goods are ferried on hand carts, and stand in queue with cart-loaders waiting for passing trains to give way in order to change platforms.

“The platforms are totally unapproachable by senior citizens and it’s about time someone decided to do something about it. It’s really a shame for the national capital to have an unapproachable platform for boarding important trains,” said senior citizen Sudipta Maitra, IBM’s former manager of business operations, who also has a disability.

Dr Satendra Singh, an assistant professor of physiology at GTB hospital, himself afflicted with polio, says the only way to help is to install lifts and reserve escalators for the disabled.

“Railways goes on installing escalators at stations but for someone like me who uses calipers, escalators don’t work because people like me tend to lose balance, as I have in the past. Lifts, reserved for the disabled, as done in the Delhi Metro, would make life so much simpler for us. That’s what I hope gets done some time in the forseeable future,” said Singh.

Old Delhi station happens to have a pair of lifts leading to waiting halls. But both have been in a state of disrepair for the past three years.

“We have been trying to ensure that the journey becomes safe and comfortable for everyone. We have one golf cart and 20 wheelchairs at Old Delhi railway station, one golf cart and five wheelchairs at Nizamuddin station, four golf carts and 20 wheelchairs at New Delhi and four wheelchairs at Anand Vihar. Besides, we have other facilities such as separate queues for elderly,” said a Northern railway spokesperson.

Clearly, the railways has to start making these facilities more accessible and user-friendly.

Source: Times of India

May 13, 2014

Agra and Delhi Monuments under ASI to go Braille-friendly

Dear friends,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For visually challenged visitors, ASI makes monuments Braille-friendly

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

News Source: Indian Express

April 7, 2014

A near-fatal accident couldn’t restrain her

Reeba Zachariah & Vipashana V K, TNN | Apr 7, 2014, 12.35AM IST

Silver spoons need to be nurtured so that they remain silver,” says the heiress of Jindal SAW. The eldest of three sisters, she was aware that if she wasn’t good enough, opportunities would be taken away from her. But proving her mettle wasn’t tough, as business was in her blood. At the tender age of 6, when most children had games on their minds, Sminu Jindal had business on hers.

Her ambition was not undermined even by a near-fatal accident, which left her paralyzed below the waist and turned her world upside down. With her parents standing rock solid behind her, Jindal overcame her disability. “The mishap made my belief in God stronger. If not for my wheelchair, I would have been married off before getting a shot at my career,” says the iron lady, adding, “My parents wanted me to be independent first.”

At 19, soon after her class XII, she started her career as a trainee with one of the companies of Jindal SAW, eventually rising to be the boss of the flagship firm. “People were surprised to see a woman in the male-dominated steel business. Many also thought that I was a guy because of my unusual name (Sminu incidentally means ‘the one who keeps smiling’). Some presumed that I was the ‘fifth’ Jindal brother,” chuckles the 39-year-old managing director of Jindal SAW.

She has battled both personal and professional challenges with resilience. During her early days at the company, she faced opposition from male staff who refused to report to her, with some even quitting. “Many thought I had joined the family business to while away time, but there are other better ways to while away my time,” says Jindal, pointing out how silver spoons can go against you.

The wheelchair-bound Jindal, a mother of two school-going boys, says that she is used to curious looks and questions. “I prefer curious minds to an apology. At least curiosity will encourage people to believe that if I could achieve something, they too can.” When Jindal joined the business, she was the only woman besides the receptionist and, in a way, opened doors for other women to join the organization.

The number of women employees has increased, but it’s nothing to boast about, rues Jindal, who is flummoxed by the skewed gender ratio in the steel industry. “Women have it in them equally, may be they don’t have equal opportunities. Every woman, like every man, can’t be a CEO. But women shouldn’t be scared of pursuing their dreams,” says Jindal, who is also a classical singer and painter.

For her own inspiration, Jindal looks up to at all those women who sacrifice careers without feeling guilty, turning homemakers. “Men are successful because they have well-run households. They (housewives) have the most thankless jobs,” says Jindal, who attributes her success partly to her husband, who is also the managing director at Jindal SAW. “We try hard not to get the boardroom into the bedroom,” she says.

News Paper format of the news from The Times of India dated 07th April 2014

March 11, 2014

Ms. Sminu Jindal shortlisted for Loreal Paris Femina Women Awards 2014

We are glad to share that Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder, Svayam – National Centre for Inclusive Environments & MD, Jindal SAW Ltd. has been nominated by Loreal Paris Femina Women Awards in the category of “FAVOURITE FACE OF A CAUSE”, which is a Reader’s Choice Award.

She, as you know is herself a wheelchair user & has taken up the cause of accessible and barrier free infrastructure for all and particularly the persons with disabilities, the seniors, children and the women.

To vote Please click the link below and vote for Ms. Sminu Jindal:

https://www.facebook.com/feminawoman/app_1410445975881464

Voting closes soon, so please vote ASAP!

Here is the process of voting:

Click on the link and login with your facebook username and paasword.
A window will appear saying Loréal Paris Femina Women Awards will receive the following info: your public profile, friend list and email address, click on okay.
A second window will appear saying Loréal Paris Femina Women Awards would like to post to Facebook for you, click on okay or skip as you desire.
Once again, like the page, and you will be directed to the Reader’s Choice Award.
Click on the category of Favourite Face of a Cause.
Now, click on Vote written below Ms. Sminu Jindal’s name.
Now the screen will appear to say “Thank you for your vote” and one vote will be added.

May we request you to help us garnering votes to bring to fore the issue of accessibility that she has been working to promote tirelessly.

Looking forward to your support. Remember every vote counts!

Team Svayam

January 8, 2014

A myth shattering Comedian with Disability : Maysoon Zayid

The eloquence of this Palestinian woman from New Jersey Ms. Maysoon Zayid – a writer, actor, comedian and co-founder of New York Arab-American Comedy Festival can impress anyone – with or without a disability.

She shatters the myths and stereotypes associated with persons with disabilities in no time and you can not but return much more sensitized and knowledgeable about yourself, about your own beliefs about persons with disabilities and their abilities.

I am sure you would love to see this embeded video herein below:

July 25, 2013

Svayam hosts side event “Funding Accessible Transport” at ITF 2013

Svayam- National Centre for Inclusive Environments, hosted a side event titled “Funding Accessible Transport” at the Annual Summit of International Transport Forum (ITF) held on 22 May 2013 at Leipzig, Germany.

Background Note

Most of the transport infrastructure to date have been manufactured/ designed without accessible features. The transportation systems in most of the developed countries too, are far from ideal let alone developing nations. Transport plays a crucial role in a nation’s development by providing access to facilities and services.

Enhanced mobility for the vulnerable groups is one of the most important preconditions for achieving sustained growth. The needs of the elderly and disabled should be anticipated in the planning and designing of the transport infrastructure especially in the light of the growing silver population the world over.

To ensure all the transportation systems align with the varied needs of all, there is an urgent need of funding for developing new accessible transport systems as well as retrofitting the existing with the aim of developing accessible, affordable, economically viable, people-oriented and environment-friendly transport systems.

Speakers at the Event

Ms. Abha Negi, Director, Svayam – National Centre for Inclusive Environments, New Delhi, India
Mr. Ramakant Goswami, Hon’ble Minister – Transport, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, India (couldn’t attend)
Ms. Ann Frye, Director, Ann Frye Ltd, UK
Dr. (Ms.) Lalita Sen, Professor, Texas Southern University, USA
Dr. Manoj Singh, Advisor (Transport), Planning Commission of Govt. of India
Ms. Mary Crass, Policy Head, International Transport Forum (Moderator)

Click here for Photos of the event on Facebook

January 23, 2013

Making homes accessible and Adaptable for Guests with Disabilities

Dear Colleagues,

How to be a good host and make a guest with disabilities or an elderly guest ‘feel at home’ at your home / guest house so that every one can enjoy the holidays together?

Inviting family and friends over for the holidays generally brings up thoughts about the menu, decor, and how to keep everyone occupied and everything spotless. Once a host figures those things out, everything should run smoothly. However, some will be faced with the challenge of how to make special accommodations for loved ones this holiday season. Read here to learn how a few adjustments, accommodations and adaptations that can help everyone feel welcomed and happy:

For Mobility Challenged

Remove all throw rugs and low-lying clutter that could result in falls.
Create a floor plan that allows for maneuverability from serving areas to seating areas, any lounging areas and restrooms. *Rule of thumb: Wheelchairs are usually 24-27 inches wide – Walk with one arm extended throughout aisles to ensure enough space.
Have hand sanitizer available, most bathroom counters also do not allow for easy wheelchair access.
Extended stays? Pick up a shower seat and install a removable shower head for easy bathing.
Consider a folding ramp to negotiate few steps or level changes in the house. The suitcase ramp is the most versatile of products and can serve as a threshold over indoor or outdoor steps.

Alzheimer’s or Dementia

Engage them! Answer their questions in a positive way; don’t make anyone feel bad for not remembering.
Names and recent events may not be easily recalled or remembered at all. This may mean recapping a milestone event that the person was even there to witness.
Speak with the caregiver to learn what their emotional triggers or stressors may be. If someone with dementia becomes upset, distraction with a fun activity can be a lifesaver.
Lock doors and block off staircases. Put up a sign to direct people to bathrooms.
Try to have a bedroom or quiet space prepared, people with dementia may get restless and decide to take a nap.

Developmental Delays

Resist the temptation to offer unsolicited advice to parents.
Do not undermine the child by addressing the parent with questions like, “Is Deepak excited for dinner?” Instead ask Deepak.
Understand that parents need to stick to their child’s routines as closely as possible; prepare a place suitable for quiet times.

Visually Impaired

When introducing yourself, give a standard hug or handshake or a verbal greeting like “Namaste” with folded hands but be sure to say your name as you do so.
While introducing someone else, mention what direction they are in, “This is Anju Auntie to my left”.
If dashing out of a conversation to grab a pie out of the oven, remember to say so!
Provide detailed verbal fore-warnings of any inclines or steps that the guest may incur.
When showing a blind guest to the table, placing their hand on the chair and allowing them to take it from there is often enough.
If there is food on the table for serving, explain the location of the food by clock measurements, “Chapati’s at your 12 o’ clock.”
Speaking louder is unnecessary unless the person is also hard of hearing.

Deaf or Hard of Hearing

No need to yell or make dramatic mouth movements while speaking.
Keep eye contact with the hearing impaired guest during conversation, NOT their interpreter/translator.
Keep a text-ready cell phone or note pad and pen handy for when the interpreter isn’t around.
Learn a few things in Sign Language, like “Welcome”, “Eat”, “Enjoy”.
Make name cards explaining what each dish is and key ingredients.

Source: PRWeb