Team DRA is heartened and excited after the proactive Disability Rights Alliance meeting yesterday with the Chennai Metro Rail Team on Chennai Metro accessibility for passengers with disabilities in India It was such a pleasure to see CMRL members brandishing the CPWD Guidelines for Barrier-Free Access and ready with slide presentations on facilities for disabled passengers. A few aspects like hearing loops, the on-demand assistance system and vending machine accessibility need looking into - they may even require kludges. It would be a good day when compliance with the 1988 guidelines is the norm in India. It would be even better when these standards reflect a more 360 degree approach to accessibility and inclusion. Built environment is the beginning, but for example, what good is an accessible airport... If the aeroplane itself cannot be accessed safely (seen those palanquin wheelchairs?) Or if flight announcements do not reach deaf passengers? Or if security staff refer to disabled people as luggage? (One wheelchair coming!). Or if toilets for the disabled are kept locked or used for stashing housekeeping items? ...the list could go on and on. Yesterdays experience was a glimpse into a world where a disabled person is treated as an Equal, and not as the Other. We look forward to the day when that feeling becomes familiar. For related resources check the documents here scribd/collections/3490912/Chennai-Metro-Rail
Posted on: Sat, 05 Jul 2014 08:23:55 +0000
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