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Research on Unfriendly public places for Differently abled people in India
- 3. The population of specially abled people in the world is about 15 per cent of the world population, that is, over one billion. Special ability/Disability is a broader term and encompasses people with limited mobility, activity limitation or hearing and vision impairment. As per Census 2011, nearly 2.68 crore people in India are disabled. Nothing has dampened the indomitable spirit of people with disabilities as much as their inaccessibility to proper infrastructure. Lack of adequate disabled-friendly facilities has acted as bigger roadblock than their condition itself and prevented them from making valuable contributions to the society. The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, both are intended towards securing the rights of persons with disability and providing them equal access. However, a lot needs to be done with regards to revamping public infrastructure like foot-bridges, trains, buses and offices and thus guarantee them a comfortable lifestyle. INTRODUCTION
- 4. The term differently abled is sometimes used as a substitute for disabled or handicapped. Differently abled emphasizes the fact that many people with disabilities are quite capable of accomplishing a particular task or performing a particular function, only in a manner that is different from or takes more time than that of people without the disability. On the other hand, differently abled is often criticized as an awkward euphemism and in some cases may be taken as offensively condescending by disabled people themselves. Like challenged, it is used most frequently in academic, government, and social service environments; its use outside those contexts may be problematic. Differently abled’ means that someone has different capabilities to the average person. It’s an umbrella term, and can be used to describe a wide spectrum of disabilities, from blind people, to amputees, to wheelchair users. It's supposed to be more positive than the word ‘disabled’. WHAT IS DIFFERENTLY ABLED ?
- 5. “Disability is not a curse; And not disease. Rather, it is a condition that can come to anyone by accident or disease. The need for them is not sympathy, but love, comfort and support. They are not ‘incompetent’; Rather, they are ‘differently abled’. Blind and deaf Helen Keller proved that truth by becoming world-renowned in social work, deaf Beethoven in music, the mentally handicapped Vincent Van Gogh in art, and Albert Einstein, who had a learning disability in science.”
- 6. Assistive technology is something which helps the people with disability by giving them assistance and rehabilitative devices. It increases functional capabilities of the individuals with disabilities. Such devices are not installed in India that makes it inconvenient for disabled people to access public infrastructure. If we see the problem from sociological perspective, there have not been any upgrades or advancements in the system. Henceforth, there is no growth for the disabled person. There are still a lot of places where barrier free access is not available to the disabled or handicapped. This is needed in both rural as well as urban areas. There are a lot of public infrastructures where it gets very hard for the disabled people to get access to and having access to the disabled people is still a neglected issue. An attempt to get out of the house and travel places, for the disabled people, is still a far cry. Like any other person, barrier free environment for a disabled person is his legal right too under the constitution of India. According to a survey, only 11% of the architects are aware of the designs and information that is used for accessibility design for the disabled. Indian law for Indian infrastructure is not that well developed and not a lot of things are mandated which should be given importance. IS INDIAN INFRASTRUCTURE DISABLED FRIENDLY?
- 7. Section 46. Non-discrimination in the built environment.—The appropriate Governments and the local authorities shall, within the limits of their economic capacity and development, provide for— (a) ramps in public buildings; (b) adaptation of toilets for wheel chair users; (c) braille symbols and auditory signals in elevators or lifts; (d) ramps in hospitals, primary health centres and other medical care and rehabilitation institutions. Section 47. Non-discrimination in Government employment.— (1) No establishment shall dispense with, or reduce in rank, an employee who acquires a disability during his service: Provided that, if an employee, after acquiring disability is not suitable for the post he was holding, could be shifted to some other post with the same pay scale and service benefits: Provided further that if it is not possible to adjust the employee against any post, he may be kept on a supernumerary post until a suitable post is available or he attains the age of superannuation, whichever is earlier. (2) (2) No promotion shall he denied to a person merely on the ground of his disability: Provided that the appropriate Government may, having regard to the type of work carried on in any establishment, by notification and subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in such notification, exempt any establishment from the provisions of this section. THE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES, PROTECTION OF RIGHTS AND FULL PARTICIPATION) ACT, 1995
- 8. THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, 2016 Section 40. The Central Government shall, in consultation with the Chief Commissioner, formulate rules for persons with disabilities laying down the standards of accessibility for the physical environment, transportation, information and communications, including appropriate technologies and systems, and other facilities and services provided to the public in urban and rural areas. Section 41. (1) The appropriate Government shall take suitable measures to provide,— (a) facilities for persons with disabilities at bus stops, railway stations and airports conforming to the accessibility standards relating to parking spaces, toilets, ticketing counters and ticketing machines; (b) access to all modes of transport that conform the design standards, including retrofitting old modes of transport, wherever technically feasible and safe for persons with disabilities, economically viable and without entailing major structural changes in design; (c) accessible roads to address mobility necessary for persons with disabilities. (2) The appropriate Government shall develop schemes programmes to promote the personal mobility of persons with disabilities at affordable cost to provide for,— (a) incentives and concessions; (b) (b) retrofitting of vehicles; and (c) (c) personal mobility assistance.
- 9. ● The Rights of Persons With Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016 has successfully replaced the Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights, and Full Participation) Act, 1955.The need to replace the previous Act arose after India signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in the year 2007. The RPWD Act, 2016 is made in accordance with the obligations as given in the UNCRPD. After receiving Presidential assent, the said act was notified under the Official Gazette of India on 28th December 2016.
- 10. Q1. What is the objective behind the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act, 2016? Ans. The Act was a result of India being a signatory of UNCRP and later ratifying it. The main objective behind the Act is to empower persons with disabilities by safeguarding their dignity, freedom to make their own choices, independence and their position in the society. The society tends to alienate the people who have certain disabilities which lead to discrimination and exclusion from the society. With the help of this act, the gap between the society and persons with disabilities can be reduced. The Act aims to achieve equality between persons with disabilities and others, participation of persons with disabilities in any arena, preserving the rights of women and children with disabilities and ensure their human rights. Q2. Which types of disabilities are covered in the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act, 2016? Ans. In simple words, disability is a mental or physical condition that limits a person’s movements, senses or activities. The RPWD Act, 2016 gives an exhaustive list which contains 21 disabilities (previously there were 7). This list includes blindness, low-vision, leprosy, hearing impairment, locomotors disability, dwarfism, intellectual disability, mental illness, autism, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, chronic neurological conditions, specific learning disabilities, multiple sclerosis, speech and language disability, thalassemia, haemophilia, sickle cell disease, multiple disabilities, acid attack victim and parkisnson’s disease. If a person has 40% or more of any of these disabilities he/she will come under the category of persons with benchmark disabilities.
- 11. It is a program which is set to be launched to serve the differently- able community of the country. The program comes with an index to measure the design of disabled-friendly buildings and human resource policies. The flagship program has been launched by the Prime Minister on 3 December 2015, the International Day of people with Disabilities. ACCESSIBLE INDIA CAMPAIGN OR SUGAMYA BHARAT ABHIYAN “Although such a program was started to help people with disabilities, its activities declined within a year or two”
- 12. LET’S TALK ABOUT UNFRIENDLY GOVERNMENT OFFICES FOR DIFFERENTLY ABLED IN KERALA With no or few facilities made for the differently abled, many government offices in the city remain inaccessible to them. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, says that all public spaces, including government buildings, must have infrastructure to make them accessible to the differently abled. While most of the buildings have ramps, they are not accessible. Some of the ramp are narrow and cannot accommodate a wheelchair. And some of them lacks handrails. The differently abled stand a risk of falling as the wheelchairs descend at a faster pace. Most of the buildings do not have wheelchairs for easy access of the differently abled within the premises. Many government buildings do not have disabled friendly toilets. Many of the differently abled people also say that drinking water cans at accessible points must also be provided for them. other facilities like signboards, audio-visual signage, and Braille tactile signs to help the visually-challenged must also be present at the government offices.
- 13. Hundreds of disabled people approaching the government offices, including taluk office, motor vehicles department office, Krishibhavan and employment exchange, in the multi-storied building are struggling to access the service of these offices. Some of government buildings have no ramp facility and disabled people could not access the offices functioning in the first floor and the second floor as the lift installed in the buildings is not functioning properly. Recently, around 20 wheelchair-bound people were forced to wait on roadside as they could not access the sub-regional transport office, which is functioning in the first floor of the building.
- 14. INFRASTRUCTURE Of government offices Collectorate – Malapuram Collectorate Kozhikode Collectorate – Ernakulam Village office
- 15. Panjayath office Police station Police station Sub registrar office High court of Kerala
- 16. PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES ● Inaccessible ramps for wheelchair entry ● Lack of specially abled –friendly toilets ● Most buildings do not have wheelchairs ● Some do not have escalators ● Absence of audio-visual signages and braille tactile signs ● For a massive building ,there aren’t enough ramps for easy access. Also, there are no signages or audio systems to assist persons with disabilities ● there is no provision for parking for persons with disability.
- 17. ● the steps have not been provided with handrails. There are no visible signage signifying accessible entrance, exit and washrooms. Though the main building has a ramp, the slope is not as per required standards. ● some buildings have ramp, but it is slippery and reflective. ● Does not have any disabled- freindly restrooms. Also, it lacks signages and there are multiple obstructions on the corridors. The floor is also slippery. ● For Some buildings, the main entrance only has steps. There is no alternative accessible entrance to the building for wheelchair-users. No ramps have been provided. There are neither signages nor designated parking space for persons with disability. ● Lack in distribution of space inside the office for wheelchair – congested by tables and chairs
- 18. UNFRIENDLY GOVERNMENT OFFICES FOR SPECIALLY ABLED IN KERALA IGNORANCE OF LEGAL RIGHTS AND RULES DISCRIMINATION LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE (ON BUILDINGS) LACK OF PROPER AUDIO- VISUAL-BRAILLIE SIGNAGE NO PROVISION FOR PARKING WHEELCHAIRS ARE NOT PROVIDED INACCESSIBL RAMPS LACK OF SPECIALLY ABLED FRIENDLY TOILET NOT HAVE ESCALATORS DOESN’T HAVE SPECIALLY ABLED – FRIENDLY RESTROOMS STEPS HAVEN’T PROVIDED HANDRILS OBSTRUCTIONS ON THE CORRIDORS MASSIVE BUILDING HAVEN’T ENOUGH RAMPS SLIPPERY AND REFLECTIVE RAMPS THE SLOPE IS NOT ASPER REQUIRED STANDARDS PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES- FLOWCHART LACK IN DISTRIBUTION OF SPACE INSIDE THE OFFICE FOR WHEELCHAIR
- 19. “People like us face difficulties because most places, especially government offices, are not disabled-friendly. We demand the government office to build infrastructure that is accessible to everyone. They should make it compulsory for all government offices to cater to the disabled while passing public building design.” “ most of the disabled return from the premises of government buildings in the district, as they cannot climb the stairs “ “The main problem is that these people are isolated from society. There are problems in terms of infrastructure, transport and access to the physical environment and information,” “many government offices are inaccessible for disabled person here. Some of them do not have basic facilities like ramps and disabled-friendly toilets.” “I am very sad for the blind people. The government says that they are making India digital but the blind people are struggling as there is no braille or audio signage or any digital system” RESPONSES
- 20. The All Kerala Wheelchair Rights Federation (AKWRF) has called for creating wheelchair-friendly facilities across the State to enable easy access for the differently abled. The organisation undertook a rally to the Secretariat in connection with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Saturday (dec-03-2016) to press for their demands and submit memorandums to the members of the Cabinet. According to AKWRF coordinator S. Rajesh, government offices, educational institutions, public places, shopping centres, theatres, recreational areas, and tourist destinations were not accessible to wheelchair-bound persons. The federation also demanded that buses and trains also be equipped to enable easy access for the wheelchair-bound. “Despite several representations, the authorities continued to turn a blind eye towards our welfare. The absence of ramps and other facilities have always prevented us from moving as freely as the others,” he said. They also urged the government to increase the disability pension from Rs.1,100 to Rs.5,000 for those with more than 80 per cent disability. The federation has also proposed setting up of two rehabilitation centres on the lines of that functioning at Christian Medical College, Vellore, for the wheelchair-bound and those with spinal injuries. The other demands included initiating schemes to enhance employability of the differently abled; creating reserved posts in government institutions; and instituting lottery with proceeds utilised for the welfare of the differently abled. PROTEST FOR THEIR RIGHTS
- 21. On 3rd DECEMBER 2016, The All Kerala Wheelchair Rights Federation ♿(AKWRF) has called for creating wheelchair-friendly facilities across the State to enable easy access for the differently abled. The organisation undertook a rally to the Collectorate in connection with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities♿
- 22. On 3rd DECEMBER 2015, The NGO GREEN PALLIATIVE proposed a new protest that “wheelchair friendly state campaign” to achieve wheelchair- friendly facilities across the State to enable easy access for the differently abled. The organisation undertook a rally to the Collectorate in connection with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities♿ And wall paintings, public performances etc.
- 24. THE ERGONOMICS STUDY OF RAMPS
- 25. Disability Systems recommends a 1:12 slope on most applications. Residential applications can use a 2:12 slope ratio if space is an issue but only if an assistant is present to help push the wheelchair or to help a person walking on the ramp. For commercial public access, a 1:12 ratio is required. 1:12 SLOPE RATIO (ADA Recommended) means that for every inch of rise, you will need one foot of ramp. As an example, a 12 inch rise would require a 12 foot ramp to achieve a 1:12 ratio. 2:12 SLOPE RATIO means that for every two inches of rise, you would need one foot of ramp. As an example, take the total amount of rise in inches and divide by 2. If you have a 12 inch rise divide by 2 and the resulting number would be 6, this is the length of ramp which is required in feet to achieve a 2:12 ratio.
- 26. 3:12 SLOPE RATIO means that for every three inches of rise you would need one foot of ramp. As an example, take the total amount of rise in inches and divide by 3. If you have a 12 inch rise divide by 3 and the resulting number would be 4, this is the length of ramp which is required in feet to achieve a 3:12 ratio. This slope ratio is only used to move an unoccupied wheelchair, never an occupied wheelchair and should never be used for walking. For ADA compliance, any ramp that is used on a rise of 6 inches or more, must have handrails and be 36" wide. Any ADA compliant ramp longer that 30 feet (30 inch rise) must include a resting platform and have guardrails (Baulusters spaced 3.5" - 4" apart) to prevent a child from falling through. Different states have different ADA codes, CA and MA take note.
- 27. wide doors, corridors , office rooms that allow people on wheelchairs to manoeuvre easily separate disabled-friendly restrooms. having operating person for elevators, good accessibility to the cafeteria and signages — in Braille also . Introducing audio systems to help the visually-impaired and wheelchairs at all floors will be of great help Universal Design (UD) concept should be adopted through the provision of friendly built environment for all. The slogan “anything good for the differently abled is good for everyone” should be adapted in the provision of facilities and infrastructures. provision of compatible toilets with grab bars, audio announcement system, wheelchair facilities, graphic signage, installation of ramps, etc NEEDS
- 28. PRINCIPLE ONE: Equitable Use The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. • It provides the same means of use for all users: identical whenever possible; equivalent when not. • It avoids segregating or stigmatizing any users. • Provisions for privacy, security, and safety are equally available to all users. • The design is appealing to all users. PRINCIPLE TWO: Flexibility in Use The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. • It provides choice in methods of use. • It accommodates right or left handed access and use. • It facilitates the user’s accuracy and precision. • It provides adaptability to the user’s pace. UNIVERSAL DESIGN (UD) PRINCIPLES :
- 29. PRINCIPLE THREE: Simple and Intuitive Use Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level. • It eliminates unnecessary complexity. • It is consistent with user expectations and intuition. • It accommodates a wide range of literacy and language skills. • It arranges information consistent with its importance. • It provides effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion. PRINCIPLE FOUR: Perceptible Information The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities. • It uses different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential information. • It provides adequate contrast between essential information and its surroundings. • It maximizes “legibility” of essential information. • It differentiates elements in ways that can be described (i.e., make it easy to give instructions or directions). • It provides compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with sensory limitations.
- 30. PRINCIPLE FIVE: Tolerance for Error The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. • It arranges elements to minimize hazards and errors: most used elements, most accessible; hazardous elements eliminated, isolated, or shielded. • It provides warnings of hazards and errors. • It provides fail safe features. • It discourages unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance. PRINCIPLE SIX: Low Physical Effort The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue. • It allows user to maintain a neutral body position • It uses reasonable operating forces. • It minimizes repetitive actions. • It minimizes sustained physical effort.
- 31. PRINCIPLE SEVEN: Size and Space for Approach and Use Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use, regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility. • It provides a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user.• It makes reaching to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user. • It accommodates variations in hand and grip size. • It provides adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance.
- 32. SOP Title: To provide support to the specially abled persons in the context of increase of unfriendly public spaces for them vis-a-vis government offices in Kerala Purpose: Ensuring equality and make government offices friendly to specially abled persons across the state CONCLUSION SOP The fact that people with disabilities are neglected in society is still a topic of discussion. Although many changes have taken place in Kerala than before, some of public places are still not friendly to them. One of the major reasons for this is the behavior and outlook of the society and the lack of government intervention. It can be called ignorance or discrimination. They deal with infrastructure issues and signs distribution issues, especially in the case of government offices. In such a case a new system needs to be brought to the point of equality.
- 33. ● A special cell may constructed to provide support to the needy. It will provide employment to many too. Most of the government offices in Kerala do not give equality to the differently abled. Especially its infrastructure. People with disabilities face a number of problems, such as limited space inside offices , staircases, multi- storey buildings, and the lack of wheelchairs or assistants to navigate them in such a building. In such a situation, it would be advisable to set up a cell exclusively for differently abled persons in government offices such as the Collectorate, Panchayat and Village Office. If such a system is in place, they can meet their needs without facing any other obstacle. Moreover, such a cell would help a section of the people to get jobs. Step 1
- 34. ● Interactive systems may be installed outside the public offices providing all support to the needy. In most government offices , you have to go in and out many times for any purpose. This is a big hurdle for people with disabilities. People in wheelchairs, visually impaired, and other specially abled people are forced to enter government offices for even the smallest of needs. Therefore, if a special interactive system like ATM is brought outside the government offices, their problems will be less. It will help them to ask questions and to know the details of the services available in the respective offices. Bringing the Braille language system into such a system would be equally useful for all categories of people with disabilities. Step 2
- 35. ● Waiting rooms with multisensory information systems and toilets may be created adjoining the public offices for the needy. Many government offices do not have restrooms or waiting rooms. Normally in such offices everyone has to stand in queues for their needs or wait outside. In some offices, we may have to wait for hours. In such cases, the need for a waiting room is greatest. Just as a waiting room is essential in a government office, such waiting rooms should be equipped with an audio visual informative system and all the Braille language informative system to help specially abled people. If there is such a system, it will be useful for everyone equally. Moreover, in such a situation, the issue of inequality does not arise. It should also include a differently abled people - friendly toilet adjacent to the waiting rooms. It is important that all of these must be in a place that is accessible to all. Step 3
- 36. Conclusion : A new system is needed to bring the differently abled into the same position of others in the society, without giving them a place in the backside or ignore them, so that everyone has an equal opportunity in society. Above mentioned steps are proper steps for developing a new system .