Top South Mumbai Stores A Nightmare For The Disabled.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/top-south-mumbai-stores-a-nightmare-for-disabled-activists/1116011/ DESPITE the state government's stringent guidelines to ensure the physically challenged have access to basic infrastructure facilities, a recent accident has brought to fore how even plush showrooms in the city blatantly disregard these norms. Earlier this month, Malini Chib, 47, who suffers from cerebral palsy, had gone to Westside at Fort. She wanted to visit the women's apparel section on the first floor. With no elevator or a ramp, she and her friend took the escalator. Both met with an accident, with Chib suffering cuts and bruises on her shoulder, waist and arms. Her friend suffered back injury. "In all accessibility guidelines, it is a rule that staircases be located adjacent to the escalator if that is the primary means of transport between floors. It may also be necessary to provide an elevator next to an escalator for wheelchairs and disabled people," said Chib's mother Mithu Alur, who is the founder-chairperson of Spastics Society of India (now known as ADAPT). "Since none of these facilities was available, Malini was forced to use the escalator. Westside's callous attitude is only a reflection of other buildings in south Mumbai. While making money, these stores should also think of client welfare," Alur said. A Westside spokesperson said, "Our stores are located inside malls, which are better equipped with facilities for the disabled. The store at Kala Ghoda is housed in a heritage building. We will consult with our advisors on how we can accommodate the right facilities." Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee chairman V Ranganathan said it is not difficult to make alterations inside heritage buildings. "If and when they make an application to the heritage committee, we will fast-track it on humanitarian grounds," he said. According to the 1995 Persons with Disability Act, all public places should be accessible to people with disabilities, including those on wheelchairs. Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ 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 Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
