Accessibility
What is Accessibility?
- Ability to access some system/entity that makes things accessible to able-bodied and disabled people.
- Design of a product/environment that can be acessed by PwDs (Person with Disabilities)and able-bodied , thus it becomes a universal design.
ACCESSIBILITY IS RELEVANT TO
- LOCOMOTOR
- VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
- HEARING IMPAIRMENT
- SPEECH IMPAIRMENT
- INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
- INVISIBLE DISABILITIES (AUTISM,ADHD,etc.)
- SENIOR CITIZENS
- PREGNANT WOMEN
Why accessibility is important ?
- It brings about social inclusion of people with disabilities into the mainstream.
- Disabled friendly infrastructure can be accessed by all.
- Infrastructure for the abled bodied does not necessarily become accessible for PwDs(Person with Disabilities)
Guidelines for infrastructure access in India:
- Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan(Accessibility Campaign India(2016)
- PwD (Person with Disability) Act 2016
- It mandates that PwDs be provided with equal opportunities and protect their rights to full participation.
- Spaces to be designed to suit the needs of all PwDs.
- Section 45 mentions that all public spaces should be made accessible within 5 years of amendment notification.
- Model building Bye-laws 2015
- It mandates barrier-free environments are maintained to ensure inclusive cities and universal designs.
Link to: GuidelinesIndia.PDF
Relevance of Accessible Public Transport in Metropolitan Cities:
- Long distance travel required in metropolitan cities.
- Public transport has good connectivity.
- Cost-effective.
- Private transport services are expensive.
DISABILITY ETIQUETTES:
- TRAINING OF STAFF ON HOW TO INTERACT WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
- SYMPATHY VS EMPATHY(PITY VS COMPASSION)
- HELP ONLY IF ASKED BY A PWD
- KEEP PATIENCE WHILE INTERACTING WITH PwDs
- TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE PERSON,NOT THE DISABILITY