Svayam: Creating an Inclusive Environment - Part 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 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. 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. 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. • • • • 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 • 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. Initiatives to Make the Historical Monuments and Places of Tourist Interest Accessible Audit Findings at Qutub Minar • Even the elderly find it difficult to negotiate high steps and need assistance in absence of handrails. 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. 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. Post Execution of the Audit Report Ramp at the Entrance of Qutub Minar Post Execution of the Access Audit Cont.. Ramp at Iltutmish tomb Ramp to the Iron Pillar Continuous Level pathways Accessible Ticketing Complex 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. Red fort Audit Svayam undertook an audit of the Red Fort and submitted its report which is under execution presently. Taj Mahal, Agra, India A World Heritage Site The ramp that existed earlier at Taj Mahal Current Status of Accessibility at Taj Mahal, Agra Ramp at the Entrance Ramp to the Toilet Ramps to the Toilet and the Garden Ramp Towards the Exit Minor levels addressed at exit 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. Public Conveniences Accessibility Issues Identified in PTU’s Accessibility Issues Identified in PTU’s 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 Site Specific Solutions Provided Proposed PTU Plan 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. New NDMC Public Conveniences 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)………….