Policy Makers Must Take Laws for Disabled Seriously By Express News Service Published: 03rd Apr 2016 09:11:52 AM Delhi’s lack of infrastructure for the differently abled citizens at public places is making the capital’s aspirations, to be a global smart city, apprehensive. The Census 2011 cites that there are around 2,28,427 people with disabilities in the city; the number includes those suffering from vision, hearing issues, speech problem, movement impairment, and the mentally challenged. According to Disability Act 1995, all public places are to be made accessible for the differently abled. “But in the last 20 years there has been hardly any ‘concrete’ changes,” said Javed Abidi, director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People. He added, “Be it the markets, malls, schools, universities, government offices or private buildings, 99.99 per cent of Delhi is inaccessible to the differently abled. These places are hostile to them. The reason behind this is the lack of will of the policy makers. Why is it that despite the power given by the law, commercial and residential buildings are made without looking into this aspect?” Suggesting that the solution lies in the bylaws of municipality, he said that no building plan should be approved without making it friendly for the differently abled. He said that government buildings such as the Shastri, Yojana and Krishi Bhawans have ramps and toilets for the differently abled; but the policy makers have to move on from the archaic mindset of defining accessibility just by making toilets and ramps. In its latest report to the Delhi government, the Office of the Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities said that 77 buildings: private and public, violated the norms for the differently abled population. “There is a lot that needs to be done. The Central Government through its Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) allocates funds which are being used to increase such infrastructure in the capital,” said a senior official at the state’s Department of Social Welfare. The AAP government has also allocated Rs 1,381 crore for social security and welfare schemes in its budget 2016-17. Source http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Policy-Makers-Must-Take-Laws-for-Disabled-Seriously/2016/04/03/article3360041.ece
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