further it is the responsibility of all our NGO organizations to take up these issues. let us fullfill our duties and i request all the representatives of "NAB" "ENABLE" "AICF" ETC. shall take up these issues in to consideration because if we protest as individuals there wont be much response but if we take these issues as groups there will be much response. so so so at least now my dear friends please wake up and raise to the occasion.
On 6/15/09, phani srikanth <[email protected]> wrote: > hi, kanchan i am sending it right now. it is the responsibility of all > of us to write the same facts and express ourself so please do it. > srikanth > > On 6/15/09, SC Vashishth <[email protected]> wrote: >> Dear Kanchan, >> >> You have pointed out to very relevant issues faced by travellers with >> disabilities in Indian Railways. The provisions being made at Railways >> stations are not accessible from any point of view. While new Toilets of >> NDMC that we worked on are free to use, the railway stations Rest rooms >> are >> in very bad shape and are being charged for. To me all rail ticket >> holders >> should be allowed to use these service free of cost and the same should >> be >> maintained in the highest hygienic conditions. Its because of this reason >> that many prefer to spoil the station by using the train toilets while >> train >> is on the platform!! >> >> The exclusionary practice of separate boggy is a second class non-ac 8 >> seater compartment appended close to the guards coach which in itself is >> in >> accessible. My experience indicates that it is more often used by railway >> police staff and people bribing railway staff. Not only Users feel highly >> unsafe and vulnerable but they don't get other services like Pantry >> tea-Breakfast etc as this is not connected to the train at all. >> >> Well we are writing a letter to the Railway Minister covering all the >> points >> that you mentioned. >> >> Thanks! >> >> >> 2009/6/15 Pamnani <[email protected]> >> >>> We have been expressing our concern and anguish regarding the >>> railways >>> on this list. Now is the time to act. I am copying below some points >>> which >>> can be sent to the Railway Minister. many of us are affected lets see >>> how >>> many of us are really bothered. if you are not only an arm chair >>> complainer >>> then please send out a letter to the Railway minister on similar lines >>> and >>> send a copy to Secretatiat >>> E-mail Address(es): >>> [email protected] >>> >>> Ms. Mamta Banerjee >>> >>> Hon’ble Minister for Railways >>> >>> Room No. 239 >>> >>> Rail Bhavan >>> >>> New Delhi – 110 001 >>> >>> >>> >>> SUGGESTIONS FOR THE RAILWAY BUDGET VIS-À-VIS DISABILITY >>> >>> >>> >>> Travelling in train continues to be an ordeal for disabled people and >>> senior citizens in our country. Their safety and needs should be taken >>> into >>> account while planning the Railway Budget. >>> >>> >>> >>> Even though The Disability Act (enacted over a decade ago) mandates >>> railway >>> stations and coaches to be made barrier free for disabled people, its >>> implementation leaves much to be desired. >>> >>> >>> >>> Following are some of the suggestions for the Rail Budget with respect >>> to >>> the needs of people with disabilities: >>> >>> >>> >>> a.. Railway Stations: Railway stations are not accessible for people >>> with >>> disabilities. Apart from a ramp (sometimes it is just a slope and not a >>> proper ramp!) which is available in some stations and reserved parking, >>> there are no facilities for people with disabilities at the stations. >>> The >>> issue of accessing the reserved parking, reaching the various platforms >>> and >>> getting on to the train for people with mobility impairment; making >>> enquiries and getting information about rail routes, arrival/departure, >>> etc. >>> for hearing impaired people; and safe and independent mobility and >>> access >>> to >>> information for visually impaired persons are not being taken into >>> account >>> while renovating/upgrading the railway stations. Specific Plan (covering >>> all >>> aspects of accessibility for disabled people) should be prepared to make >>> all >>> stations disabled friendly. All passenger amenities that are being >>> planned >>> should ensure that they cater to the needs of disabled passengers as >>> well. >>> There should be availability of serviceable wheelchairs at every >>> platform >>> and sign language interpreters at every station. >>> >>> >>> a.. Coaches: There are now ‘special coaches’ for disabled people in >>> certain trains. The approach is exclusionary and defeats the very >>> purpose >>> of >>> inclusiveness and a universally accessible environment. The coach is >>> totally disconnected from all other compartments. Only 8 passengers >>> along >>> with the escorts can travel. The design of ALL coaches should follow >>> the >>> universal design concept and should be accessible for all. There should >>> be >>> a clear plan to design coaches which are inclusive, so that disabled >>> people >>> can travel with dignity and comfort in whichever class or compartment >>> that >>> they wish to, from say a general category bogey to a Ist AC Coach! >>> >>> >>> a.. Allocating appropriate seats in coaches: While booking tickets >>> using >>> the Railway Concession Forms, persons with disabilities and their >>> escorts >>> should be assigned seats according to their preference, such as lower >>> berths, seats near the entry/exit of the coach, etc. >>> >>> >>> a.. Railway Concessions: Concessions are available only for mail and >>> express trains but not for superfast trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, >>> etc. >>> The disability concessions should be available in all trains including >>> local >>> trains. >>> >>> >>> a.. Procedure for availing concession: The whole procedure of getting >>> concession is very complicated. ‘Disability Certificate’ issued by >>> Government to people with disability is not valid for railway >>> concession! >>> People with disability have to collect a Railway concession Form from >>> DRM’s >>> office, fill it in, and go through medical examination once again to get >>> the >>> concession. Also, they come with 5 years validity and need to be >>> renewed. >>> Disability Certificate should be considered as a valid proof for >>> availing >>> railway concession. >>> >>> >>> a.. On-line Ticket Booking: On-line booking is a great boon. However, >>> disabled people cannot buy their tickets online, as they have to submit >>> the >>> railway concession form while booking their tickets. This really makes >>> it >>> very difficult for people with disability. Disabled people should be >>> allowed >>> to book their tickets online (One can give the details online, which can >>> be >>> cross checked by T.C. at the time of the Journey, as it is done in the >>> case >>> of Senior Citizens). >>> >>> >>> a.. The Indian Railways Website should be made accessible for people >>> with >>> disabilities. It should comply with the guidelines announced by the >>> Department of Technology (DIT) on web accessibility (WCAG 2.0). >>> >>> >>> a.. Training of the railway staff: Disabled people often face a lot of >>> issues dealing with railway staff who are not only ill informed about >>> disability concessions & procedures but are also insensitive and >>> misbehave >>> with them. There should be a system to make disability training >>> mandatory >>> for all railway staff. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Kanchan Pamnani >>> Advocate & Solicitor >>> 9, Suleman Chambers, >>> Battery Street, Colaba, >>> Mumbai - 400 039. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> To unsubscribe send a message to >>> [email protected] the subject unsubscribe. >>> >>> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >>> please visit the list home page at >>> >>> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> Warm regards, >> >> Subhash Chandra Vashishth >> Mobile: +91 (11) 9811125521 >> Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to. Consider >> environment! >> >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] >> with >> the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please >> visit the list home page at >> >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> > To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
