Enabling a law 

Enabling a law 

Context

The Supreme Court has struck a blow for the rights of the disabled ,with a direction to the Central and State governments to provide full access to public facilities, such as buildings and transport, within stipulated deadlines

Supreme Court’s timeline to ensure full access for the disabled to public facilities is welcome

People with a disability form 2.21% of India’s population according to the 2011 Census.

Series of orders in response to a PIL

Now, in response to a public interest petition filed by a visually handicapped activist, the court has issued a series of orders:

• That all government buildings should be made accessible by June 2019;
• Half of all government buildings in the capital cities should meet accessibility norms by December this year;
• The Railways should present a report in three months from December 15 on implementing station facilities;
• 10% of government public transport must be fully accessible by March 2018;
• And advisory boards should be formed by the States and Union Territories in three months.

Ignorance for too long

For too long, planners and designers have built infrastructure for use only by able-bodied individuals, ignoring the aspirations of those with disabilities, and the letter of the law.

New technology to the aid

A transformation requires governments to also harness the power of newer technologies. Geolocation is one, and it enables targeted provision of services

Accessibility of transport

It is eminently feasible, for instance, to aggregate the travel requirements of disabled people with the help of information technology and smartphones, and provide affordable shared transport using accessible vehicles

Should be included in smart cities

Given the emphasis on smart cities and upgraded urban facilities, such schemes should be given the highest priority and start-up ideas roped in

Retrofitting all the stations

Railway stations and access to train carriages continue to pose hurdles for not just the disabled, but even elderly travellers

Level boarding all stations

The Railways should embark on an urgent programme to retrofit all stations, and try simple solutions such as portable step ladders to help board and exit trains, since level boarding is not possible in most places

Cost is not the barrier but the political will

Cost is not the barrier to improving facilities; what is in short supply is the political will to change the design of public facilities and stick to professional codes.

Conclusion

Today India, which is richer than it was then, and has passed a new law in 2016 to strengthen the rights of the disabled, should demonstrate the will to implement it