Svayam: Creating an Inclusive Environment - Part 2

Svayam’s Initiatives towards Creation of an Inclusive Environment-Part 2 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 1 Bus Q Shelters 2 Svayam undertook audits of DTC Bus Q Shelters 3 Issues Identified in the New Bus Q Shelters • The new bus Q shelters remained isolated islands of accessibility. And did not provide access from roads/side lanes/service lanes. • 4 Accessibility Issues identified in the Bus Q Shelter being developed by DTC • • • • • • • Absence of kerb ramps to access the bus Q Shelters from the bus bays and vice a versa Incorrect design of curb ramps where incorporated, characterized both by overly steep ramps and improper location of the same. At places the ramps exceed 1:12 ratio The horizontal gap issue between the floor of the bus q shelter and the low floor buses when docked needs to be addressed Incorrect placement of the tactile warning blocks Incorrect placement of the handrails Absence of auditory signal to help visually impaired identify that they are in the vicinity of the Bus Q Shelter 5 Concerns Identified 6 7 8 Solutions given by Svayam 9 10 Implementation of the designs DTC accepted the designs given by Svayam and is currently in the process of executing it through the Public Works Department 11 The New Public Transport System Welcomes All 12 Five Star Hotels 13 • We conducted access audits of hospitality giants like ITC-Welcome Group Hotels and Hyatt Regency Delhi recommending solutions to make their properties accessible and more friendly to guests. ITC-Rajputana Sheraton, Jaipur Hyatt Regency, Delhi 14 Level of Accessibility in Hotels • At present 5–star hotels have 1-2 accessible rooms. However, whether rest of the facilities like restaurants, etc are accessible is another story. There are no accessible budget hotels or guest houses nor do they come under the purview of the law that mandates accessibility. Bed and Breakfast schemes are being offered but accessibility is not one of the eligibility criteria. • • 15 Inaccessibility in Public Areas of Hotels Narrow door width Steps to restaurant No Handrails for support Steps to restaurants & pool area 16 Government Buildings 17 Audit of Palika Kendra Svayam conducted access audit of Palika Kendra, the HQs of NDMC. The following main issues were identified: • There was no accessible parking facilities for persons with reduced mobility. The reception counters were inconspicuous and not clearly identifiable. • 18 Audit Report Findings • The payment counters were not accessible to persons on wheelchair. The main lobby had a ramp but with incorrect placement of handrails. The adjacent flight of steps did not have any supporting handrails. • • 19 Audit Report Findings • The recommendations are under execution stage at present. • The complaint cell was inaccessible as it had stepped access. • Good directional signage was conspicuously absent. 20 Implementation of the Audit Report • Accessible car parking bays have been provided in the general parking. The pathway leading to the main entrance has tactile warning and guiding blocks to assist visually impaired visitors in way finding. • 21 Implementation of the Audit Report • The main reception has one accessible counter at a lower height for visitors with disabilities. • Continuous handrails have been provided in the staircase. 22 Implementation of the Audit Report • The ramp in the main lobby has been provided with handrails at two levels as per the specifications provided by Svayam. The complaint cell has been made accessible with stepped access along with ramped approach. • 23 Disability Awareness and Sensitization Workshops/Trainings and Advocacy Activities Initiated 24 Svayam used multi-pronged approach to tackle the issues of NHE in community and has taken up a number of initiatives : • Svayam conducted workshops in Architecture college at Jaipur, Rajasthan. • Svayam conducts regular lectures, trainings and simulations with trainee government school teachers in the Teacher Training Institutions of SCERT (State Council for Educational Research & Training). 25 Disability Sensitization to Drivers and Conductors of DTC To sensitize Drivers and Conductors of Delhi Transport Corporation on serving passengers with disabilities, Svayam joined hands with AICB to conduct training and simulating sessions and trained their master trainers. 26 Transed 2007 Svayam participated in Transed 2007 held at Montreal, Canada. 27 3rd General Assembly and Conference of APDF • Svayam presented a paper at the 3rd General assembly and Conference of APDF organized by National Forum of Organizations working with the Disabled (NFOWD) and Asia Pacific Disability Forum (APDF) 28 Inclusive Tourism Workshop • A workshop on Inclusive Tourism was hosted by ASTA-India chapter in July 2008. • Svayam made a presentation at the workshop on Inclusive Tourism In India-The current Situation. 29 Capacity Building Workshop conducted by Min Of Tourism • Ministry of Tourism is organizing a series of capacity building workshops at Institute of Hotel Management, Pusa, for the budget hotel and guest house owners in their initiatives towards Inclusive Tourism. Svayam has been invited by MOT to conduct these workshop on promoting Access features in Guest Houses. • 30 Workshop for Ministry of Tourism The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India hosted a workshop on Creation of Disabled Friendly Tourist Destinations in October,2008. Svayam was invited to conduct the same for officials from the various state tourism corporations and departments from all over India who attended the workshop. 31 Conference on Accessible Transportation and Tourism • The conference was inaugurated by the Minister of Transport, Mr A S Lovely. He is seen here with members of the Paraplegic Association of Greece who had come to attend the conference. In March this year, Svayam hosted the Conference on Accessible Transportation and Tourism in partnership with the Ministry of Transport, Government of Delhi and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India • • 32 Conference on Accessible Transportation and Tourism • The second day of the conference was inaugurated by the Secretary, Tourism Mr. Sujit Banerjee, seen here lighting the lamp along with the leading international experts from US. • Mr. Banerjee stated that Ministry of Tourism and Culture will not provide financial assistance to projects which do not incorporate accessibility features. 33 ICAT 2009 at Singapore • Svayam made a presentation on Incredible India-Inclusive India at ICAT 2009 held at Singapore in April, 2009. • The Conference was well attended by participants and speakers from various Asia Pacific countries like Spain, Israel, Australia, Thailand, Japan, etc. 34 Svayam in the News 35 36 37 38