Ability Forum

[THOMASJACOB]

CHENNAI: Disabled People, access to public spaces is still a distant dream as several organisations gear up to observe the International Day of Disabled Persons that falls on Monday.

The State–level meet for children with special needs began on Saturday at Rajarathinam Stadium, Egmore. The lack of ramps practically put the viewing gallery off–limits to several children in wheelchairs.

There are no toilets close to the grounds, let alone disabled–friendly ones. These features are mandatory in public buildings, according to the Development Control Rules (DCR), government officials working with disabled people conceded.

The stadium is to be renovated shortly and disabled–friendly features would be added then, they said. It was used for conducting the State–level games last year also.

A few thousand children from across the State participated in the sports meet that included running, walking and wheelchair races and a long jump competition. There was also a contest for gathering potatoes.

The meet was declared open by Social Welfare Minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna.

N.S. Palaniappan, Secretary to Government, Social Welfare and Noon Meal Programme, and Salma, Chairman, Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board, participated.

The DCR require provision of "minimum one special toilet for the use of disabled people as specified in National Building Code with essential provision of washbasin near the entrance for disabled people."

The rules also require provision of handrails on stairs, ramps of specified incline and minimum length and lifts large enough to accommodate wheelchairs.

One of the steps the Social Welfare and Nutritious Meals Department, in its policy note for 2005–06, had vowed to take was "to introduce measures for the removal of architectural barriers in all buildings, to provide easy access and indeed all barriers to the successful adjustment of disabled people."

Access to public spaces can only be improved when people are sensitised to the needs of disabled people, said R. Muniappan of College Students and Graduates Association of the Blind.

For instance, he has encountered conductors and drivers of Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses, who would not help clear the seats reserved for disabled people.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/02/stories/2007120258910300.htm

_________________
Warm Regards
Thomas Jacob

CHENNAI: Disabled People, access to public spaces is still a distant dream as several organisations gear up to observe the International Day of Disabled Persons that falls on Monday.

The State–level meet for children with special needs began on Saturday at Rajarathinam Stadium, Egmore. The lack of ramps practically put the viewing gallery off–limits to several children in wheelchairs.

There are no toilets close to the grounds, let alone disabled–friendly ones. These features are mandatory in public buildings, according to the Development Control Rules (DCR), government officials working with disabled people conceded.

The stadium is to be renovated shortly and disabled–friendly features would be added then, they said. It was used for conducting the State–level games last year also.

A few thousand children from across the State participated in the sports meet that included running, walking and wheelchair races and a long jump competition. There was also a contest for gathering potatoes.

The meet was declared open by Social Welfare Minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna.

N.S. Palaniappan, Secretary to Government, Social Welfare and Noon Meal Programme, and Salma, Chairman, Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board, participated.

The DCR require provision of "minimum one special toilet for the use of disabled people as specified in National Building Code with essential provision of washbasin near the entrance for disabled people."

The rules also require provision of handrails on stairs, ramps of specified incline and minimum length and lifts large enough to accommodate wheelchairs.

One of the steps the Social Welfare and Nutritious Meals Department, in its policy note for 2005–06, had vowed to take was "to introduce measures for the removal of architectural barriers in all buildings, to provide easy access and indeed all barriers to the successful adjustment of disabled people."

Access to public spaces can only be improved when people are sensitised to the needs of disabled people, said R. Muniappan of College Students and Graduates Association of the Blind.

For instance, he has encountered conductors and drivers of Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses, who would not help clear the seats reserved for disabled people.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/02/stories/2007120258910300.htm

_________________
Warm Regards
Thomas Jacob

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