Svayam, founded by Sminu Jindal, works to make historical sites and public spaces accessible for people with disabilities. They have conducted accessibility audits and consultations at sites like Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Taj Mahal, and Jallianwala Bagh. Issues identified include steep ramps, lack of handrails, inaccessible entrances, and missing accessible toilets. Svayam's recommendations have led to improvements like addition of accessible ramps and pathways, signage, and toilets. They are also developing accessibility guidelines for public conveniences in India.

1. Svayam’s Initiatives towards
Creation of an Inclusive
Environment-Part 1
Prepared
By
Svayam
(an initiative of S.J. Charitable Trust)
Jindal Centre,12, Bhikaji Cama Place,
New Delhi-110066
Email: editor@svayam.com
web: www.svayam.com

2. Sminu Jindal-Founder of Svayam
• Sminu Jindal, the
young and dynamic
Managing Director of
Jindal SAW Ltd
founded Svayam, an
initiative of S. J.
Charitable Trust.
• A unique initiative that
gives wings to people
with reduced mobility.
• She is also the
chairperson of
ARUNIM.

3. Awards and Recognitions
– Women Entrepreneur of
the Year 2009 Award by
FICCI
– Young Global Leaders
2009 by World Economic
Forum.
– National Tourism Award of
Excellence by Min. of
Tourism, Govt of India for
making the World
Heritage site Qutub Minar
accessible.

4. Role of Svayam
Svayam steps in as Access Consultants to fill the
gap by
• way of undertaking audits,
• identifying problem areas,
• developing strategies to overcome the same as
per international standards of accessibility and
universal design
• and handhold the implementation process to
ensure the accurate execution so that rightful
needy benefit.

5. Overview of Projects Undertaken
• With Archaeological Survey of India, Svayam has audited
Qutab Minar and Red Fort. We have signed an MOU with ASI
to make World heritage Monuments at Delhi, Agra and Goa
barrier free.
• ITDC appointed Svayam as consultants to make the
Ticketing complex of Qutab Minar, Visitors parking at Red
Fort and Jallianwala Bagh accessible to all visitors.
• Working in association with:
– NDMC to make public conveniences accessible
– DTC to make Bus Q shelters accessible
• Initiated a process with Ministry of Urban Development to
develop at least minimum accessibility standards for our
country & have them incorporated in Building Bylaws of all
States

6. • Conducted training workshops at Schools of Architecture
for students
• Providing access consultancy to the ITC Welcome group
Hotels to make their existing & forthcoming properties
accessible to all
• Conducted Disability Awareness and Sensitization
workshops for the stakeholders from all segments.

7. Initiatives to Make the
Historical Monuments
and Places of Tourist
Interest Accessible

8. Audit Findings at Qutub Minar
• Even the elderly find it difficult to negotiate high steps and
need assistance in absence of handrails.

9. Pre- Audit Scenario at Qutub Minar
• The concrete
ramp at the
entrance was
steep.
• The temporary
ramp at the
iron pillar was
unstable,
without
handrails and
had a very
steep gradient.

10. Issues Identified during Audit
• The existing ramps were steep and did not conform to
international standards.
• The floor surface of the ramps was slippery.
• There were no handrails provided.
• The connecting pathway of loose gravel made it difficult to
maneuver the wheelchair.
• All the monuments within the complex were not
accessible.
• The ticketing complex did not provide an accessible toilet.
• The ticketing window was too high for a person on
wheelchair to access it.
• No accessible parking bay present.

11. Post Execution of the Audit Report
Ramp at the Entrance of Qutub Minar

12. Post Execution of the Access Audit Cont..
Ramp at Iltutmish tomb
Ramp to the Iron Pillar

13. Continuous Level pathways

14. Accessible Ticketing Complex

15. Current Scenario at Red Fort
• The ramp at the
Diwan- e- khas is
more of a slip
hazard.
• The steps at Khas
Mahal are not
supplemented by any
ramped access.

16. Red fort Audit
Svayam undertook
an audit of the Red
Fort and submitted
its report which is
under execution
presently.

17. Taj Mahal, Agra, India
A World Heritage Site

18. The ramp that existed earlier at Taj Mahal

19. Current Status of Accessibility
at Taj Mahal, Agra

20. Ramp at the Entrance

22. Ramp to the Toilet

23. Ramps to the Toilet and the Garden

24. Ramp Towards the Exit

25. Minor levels addressed at exit

26. Audit of Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar
• Svayam was invited
by ITDC to conduct
the Access Audit of a
heritage site,
Jallianwala Bagh at
Amritsar.
• The facilities are being
upgraded to include accessible
features in toilets, drinking
water fountains, pathways, etc.
• The audit report submitted
thereafter is under
implementation at the
moment.

27. Public Conveniences

28. Accessibility Issues Identified in PTU’s

29. Accessibility Issues Identified
in PTU’s

30. Accessibility Issues Identified in the
Existing Public Convenience Units
• Most of the Public Convenience Units did not have
any universal design features.
• Most of these units did not have barrier free
access from the pedestrian pathway or the road.
• In some of the cases the access to these facilities
is via steps
• Non-availability of even a single unisex accessible
toilet in the Public Convenience Units

31. Site Specific Solutions Provided

32. Proposed PTU Plan

33. NDMC Public Conveniences
• The design of Unisex
Accessible toilet
proposed by Svayam
was accepted for their
tendering process.
• The design has been
incorporated in the
new public toilets
being constructed at
new locations in New
Delhi as shown in the
adjoining pictures.

34. New NDMC Public Conveniences

35. Content of the Accessibility Guidelines
for Accessible Public Convenience Units
• Size specifications of the unisex accessible toilet
• Layout of the Unisex Public Toilet with emphasis on
placement of the WC, Grab Bars, Washbasin, and door
width specifications
• Accessible approach to the toilet block
• Ramped access wherever required along with design
specification of the ramp
• Basic hygiene, safety and appropriate international
signage and proper manning
• Issues like ventilation, natural light, rainwater
harvesting, and alternate energy solutions like solar
energy
• (Continued in Part 2)………….