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October 2017: BULMIM students complete their internship at Svayam

To raise awareness about Universal Design and Accessibility  in the young minds so that they become more receptive to the diversity and inclusion in their lives and career, Svayam provides internship opportunities for graduate and post graduate students of various streams.

In this series, final year students of PGDM program of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Usha & Lakshmi Mittal Institute of Management (BULMIM), New Delhi underwent their internship during 25 September 2017 to  14 October 2017.

Group Photo of students at Gargi Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Green Park, New Delhi,
Site visit of students to Gargi Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Green Park, New Delhi,

As part of the internship, a batch of 16 students attended sensitization and awareness workshops on disability equality, accessibility and universal design, and were exposed to the process of conducting access audits of built environment (Govt Schools & Pedestrian infrastructure) from the perspectives of its usability by persons with reduced mobility and making presentations of audit reports of the sites visited.

Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder Svayam, handing over Internship Certificates to Interns
Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder Svayam, handing over Internship Certificates to Interns

Upon completion of their three-week long internship, Ms. Sminu Jindal Founder and Chairperson, Svayam, handed over the Internship Certificates to them on 12 October 2017.

Sharing their experiences about how their attitude has changed, a student said that he never looked at the built environment from this perspective. Now he will go back to his city as a changed man and will sincerely attempt to make his town accessible and spread the message of inclusion, accessibility and universal design. Similar ethos echoed with every student.

Ms. Sminu Jindal motivated them to work for accessibility and said, “Accessibility helps everyone, and not just the disabled. An elderly person can independently step out and do their daily chores without depending on other people. Accessibility ensures that they live, and not just breathe.”

“Wherever you go, whatever you do in life, add your efforts to make your surroundings accessible, and change the attitude of those who come across you,” she exhorted the students, and wished them good luck in their future endeavours.

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Railway Minister promises to address the problems faced by passengers with disabilities in Indian Railways

Dear Readers,

Representatives of 17 organisations working among the disabled in the India, met the Union Railway Minister Shri Dinesh Trivedi on September 28, 2011 to draw attention to the problems faced by passengers with reduced mobility, the elderly in general and those with disabilities in particular, while travelling with the Indian Railways.

 The delegation inter alia demanded extension of e-booking facility for the disabled, extension of concessions on tickets to all categories of disabilities enshrined in the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. They also demanded that concessions be provided in local and passenger trains as well, as was being provided in long distance trains.

“I find no reason why it can not be extended to persons with disabilities if it can be conveniently extended to other passengers. In fact, it is the disabled who require it most!”, expressed the Hon’ble Minister.

The members of the delegation pointed out that railway stations continues to be inaccessible despite legal mandate resulting in multiple barriers for persons with reduced mobility in using them. Ramps  were rare and that too limited for entry to the first platform in big stations while there was no access to the other platforms if it were more than two. Ramps lead to the foot over-bridges which can not be climbed by persons with reduced mobility.

It was pointed out to the Minister that the Platforms do not provide accessible entry to the train. The gap (height) between the platform and the coach varies from station to station and there is no provision of ramps. There is not enough space for mobility inside the coaches. Toilets cannot be used by persons with certain disabilities. In this light, they demanded that the railways should set up a task force on access and go in for universal design. They also demanded that battery operated cars now provided at some stations should be made available at all major stations and platforms.

The Hon’ble Minister suggested that they would consider placing a mobile ramp in front of the coach designated for the disabled so that they could conveniently use the coach specially reserved for them in the long distance trains.

The delegation also pointed out that for the past many years the railways have not made recruitment to fill the 3 per cent quota for disabled persons mandated by the PWD Act. In the matter of promotions also, despite court orders, reservations in promotions are not being implemented.  It was also brought out that employees acquiring disability during  their service who are protected under Section 47 of the the Act were silently being accommodated against the minimum 3% reserved employment quota which was against the mandate of the Persons with disabilities Act 1995.  They urged upon the minister to fill the backlog both in employment and promotions without delay and implement the reservation policy as per the mandate of the law.

Mr. Dinesh Trivedi gave a patient hearing to the delegation. He assured the delegation to consider their demands sympathetically. He also stressed the need for the railways being more sensitive to the issues of the disabled.

The delegation was led by Ms.Brinda Karat, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member and ex member of parliament and comprised of Mr. Muralidharan, Assistant Convener of the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled, Mr. Rajive Raturi of the Human Rights Law Network, Mr. Subhash Chandra Vashishth of Svayam, Mr. Abdool Mabood of Snehi amongst others. They submitted a memorandum to the minister, in which they welcomed the decision to extend concessions to the disabled in Shatabdi and Rajdhani trains. This was one of the demands that was raised with the ministry earlier. However, many other issues continue to remain unaddressed. Some urgent issues mentioned in the memorandum are as follows:

Concessions

 (i)   Extend concession to all trains: The railways have been providing concessions for disabled persons in mail and express trains, which now has been extended to Rajdhani and Shatabdi also. But the concession is not provided in local and passenger trains and the Garib Rath. We request that concessions be provided on these trains also.

(ii)  Validity of disability certificates:  Currently, a separate certificate has to be obtained for availing railway concession. The railways should accept disability certificates or cards as valid proof of the disability of the concerned person and do away with the requirement of a separate certificate.

(iii) Travelling without Escorts: Except for visually impaired persons and the hearing and speech impaired, currently all other disabled persons have to invariably travel with escorts if they have to avail concession. This restricts their right to travel.  All disabled persons who are capable of travelling independently like persons with locomotor disabilities should be allowed to travel with or without escort.

(iv) Concession to mentally disabled persons: People with mental illness are included in the PWD Act but they are not provided concessions in the railways. All those classified as disabled in the PWD Act should be provided concession in the railways.

(v) Concession on tatkal tickets: The usual concession given on other tickets should also be provided for bookings made under tatkal.

E-booking facility

E-booking facility should be extended to the disabled. In fact they require it more than non-disabled persons. As is done in the case of senior citizens, the TTE can verify the proof (disability certificate) during the course of the journey.

Coach for disabled

Most of the time the coach reserved for the disabled is occupied by other non-disabled travellers, railway employees and even RPF personnel in connivance with and often due to lack of proper enforcement. It should be ensured that the coach be placed next to the guard’s coach and a disability sensitive attendant be provided in these coaches to ensure that none other than disabled persons and their escorts are allowed in the reserved coach.

Accessibility

The Persons with Disability Act of 1995 mandates railway stations and coaches to be made barrier free. Its implementation, however, has been disappointing.Tactile marking should be made on the platform to guide blind persons to the exit, bridges, stairs, ticketing counters etc. Tactile markings should also be provided on the edges of the platforms. Platform numbers should be labelled in Braille both at the entry/exit points as well as on the railing of the foot over bridge. Train coaches need to be re-designed to cater to the needs of the disabled persons. 

Sensitizing railway staff

The disabled encounter a lot of problems at railway counters.  There is a need to sensitise all personnel working in the railways, especially those dealing directly with travellers, on issues connected with disability.

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“Svayam Accessibility Awards” announced

Media Release:

Svayam (an initiative of Sminu Jindal Charitable Trust) and the host of the 13th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled People- TRANSED 2012, today announced institution of the first ever Accessibility awards.

To host these awards at TRANSED – 13th international conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and the Disabled persons to be held from September 17th -20th 2012 at New Delhi, India.

Svayam (an initiative of Sminu Jindal Charitable Trust) and the host of the 13th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled People- TRANSED 2012, today announced institution of the first ever Accessibility awards. To be given on the sidelines of the conference, the awards will be conferred on agencies involved in development and maintenance of most accessible public places. These awards will play a pivotal role in encouraging the development of policies, practices and relationships to ensure that achievements on accessibility are sustainable and meaningful.

The Theme of TRANSED 2012 is – “Seamless access for all: Universal Design in Transport system and built infrastructure, a key element in the creation of livable cities.’’

“It is an effort to recognize committed businesses and organizations that go significantly beyond the legal requirements of providing excellent accessibility initiatives to accommodate people with disabilities. The three different categories of the award will be – Transport, Heritage Site /Place of Tourist Interest and Hospitality. The awards will acknowledge agencies taking social initiative and will motivate others in the community to step up and take positive action,” said Sminu Jindal.

Svayam was awarded the bid for the 13th TRANSED at Transport Research Bureau of USA against Germany and South Africa. TRANSED 2012 is designed to review advances in research, profile international breakthroughs and explore perspectives for technological innovations in response to the mobility challenges of an ageing population and persons with disabilities. It also aims to examine ways to address challenges associated with improving mobility and transportation needs for the elderly and disabled.

Svayam has been making tremendous efforts for making India accessible to all. It has been closely working with various groups/ agencies to provide an inclusive infrastructure for all. Svayam was also awarded the National Tourism Award of Excellence jointly with ASI for making the World Heritage Site of Qutab Minar in New Delhi as Most Accessible & Disabled Friendly Historical Monument.

About TRANSED 

Founded in the 1970’s by Professor Norman Ashford (University of Loughborough) and Professor William Bell (University of Florida), the International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled People has been held twelve times in ten countries. From its roots as a small, specialized meeting among a handful of researchers, the conference today attracts between 200 and 600 delegates from up to 40 nations on six continents. Conference proceedings are a standard reference for researchers, planners and operators alike, and are referenced in the TRB Transport Research Information System TRIS.

Professionals and consumers throughout the world recognize the TRANSED series conferences as the key forum for scientific and philosophical advances in the pursuit of mobility and access for elderly and disabled people.

About Svayam and its founder Ms. Sminu Jindal

Svayam an Initiative of Sminu Jindal Charitable Trust has been working towards providing independence and dignity to people with reduced mobility. Svayam has been engaged in making various public places accessible to all especially the elderly and disabled.

As the result of an accident at the age of eleven, the founder of Svayam, Ms. Sminu Jindal became a wheelchair user but this did not deter her spirits and she is dedicated to the cause of improving the lives of people with reduced mobility. She devotes extensive time, resources and energy to realize Svayam′s mandate to work towards making public infrastructure accessible to all including reduced mobility people.
Discharging a dual role of being a successful businesswoman, as the Managing Director of Jindal SAW Ltd., and a person dedicated to creating social consciousness by way of Svayam, Sminu Jindal was undeterred by time or familial constraints. She has and continues to carry out all her roles, including being a mother of two children, beautifully. Every new role adds a new facet to her personality.

Svayam aspires to make India barrier free and provide universal access to all. It aims at not only generating awareness about the trials and tribulations of people with reduced mobility (that includes the elderly, expecting mothers, mothers with new born babies as well as toddlers and persons with disabilities) but also mould the opinions of public and policy makers in favour of public private participation in providing and executing accessibility solutions.

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Govt. of India invites proposals from States to ensure Disabled Friendly public buildings & websites

Dear Friends,

A recent press release from the Union Govt. invites from the States proposals to the tune of 100 crore to ensure that their all public buildings and websites are made barrier free. This is remarkable initiative from the Centre.

However, are there sufficient experts who can help state governments achieve this? Average website site developers know nothing about W3C standards and those who know little ask for exceptionally huge amount of money to do the work. There are very few genuine organisations who are dedicated and know their job well, but they are very busy!

Similarly, there is no system in the country to train the existing architects and engineers involved in maintaining and developing physical infrastructure so that the desired accessibility in the infrastructure could be ensured.

There have been efforts on the part of civil society and sensitization workshops have been conducted here and there but that doesn’t ensure that the implemented work will be accessible to the end user for the perceptions of accessibility have been found to be far removed from the actual accessibility!

Also, while it may be easy to plan new infrastructure as accessible, it is equally difficult to address the existing buildings  of universities, schools, hospitals, institutions, offices, public spaces etc in absence of trained access auditors. Retrofitting also poses specific challenges of space, location and financial viability!

Thirdly, the multiple standards on physical accessibility of public infrastructure adds to the confusion of the existing sensitized professionals. While the effort from the Ministry of Urban Development to harmonize the existing multiple standards viz. BIS standards on Functional Requirements in Buildings, Chief Commissioner Disabilities document on barrier free environment and the one with CPWD on barrier free environment will bring out some concrete document in near future, however as of date it is utter chaos.

The existing standards fail to satisfy the aspirations of persons with disabilities  and the mandate of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  Still the effort is on special design to address the need of disabled and not Universal Design that serves all. The Government of India should consider these issues on urgent basis since the call for proposals has been published.

regards

SC Vashishth

The Press Release:

Centre Invites Proposals from States for Giving Central Assistance to the tune of Rs. 100 Crore to Provide Barrier free Environment in Govt Buildings and to Make Government Websites Accessible to Persons With Disabilities

The Centre has invited proposals from States to give central assistance to provide barrier free environment in important State Government buildings in the State Secretariat, Collectorates, Main Hospitals, Universities and other important Government offices to ensure that these are accessible to the Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

Central assistance will also be given to make Government Websites at the State and District levels accessible to PwDs as per guidelines for Indian Government Websites issued by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances.

Proposals from States have been invited by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment under the “Scheme for Implementation of PwD Act, 1995 (SIPDA)” after effecting a major increase in the annual allocation under this Scheme from Rs. 15-20 crore in the past to Rs. 100 crore this year.

The Ministry has made a notional allocation to the States based upon their population of PwDs as per Census, 2001 and has requested them to sent proposals on that basis. For example, a notional allocation of Rs. 16.50 crore has been made for Uttar Pradesh, 8.90 crore for West Bengal, 7.90 crore for Tamil Nadu, 7.60 crore for Maharashtra, 6.70 crore for Madhya Pradesh and 6.60 crore for Andhra Pradesh. Similar notional allocations have also been communicated to other States based on their population of PwDs.

It may be recalled that the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), 2008, to which India is a signatory, calls for making buildings, work places, facilities including information, communication and other services etc accessible to PwDs on an equal basis. The Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Mukul Wasnik, had written to the Chief Ministers of all States earlier this year urging them to make the important buildings and websites of the State Government accessible to People with disabilities in a time bound manner.

Central assistance on significant scale is provided to states under “Scheme for Implementation of PwD Act, 1995 (SIPDA) to encourage them to move in that direction.

source: http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=66210