Correct, but more safety measures must be strictly adopted. Collective efforts are required to sensitize the DMRC towards our special needs.
-----Original Message----- From: AccessIndia [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ravindra Jadhav Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 3:33 PM To: AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the disabled. Subject: Re: [AI] Indian Express: how accessible are the Delhi Metro, DTC buses and the railways to the disabled? Delhi metro is much much better than Mumbai local. it may be. And this is a real fact mumbai for blind people because I heard many blind people fall on the railway track, even me also fall 3 4 times on the railway tract. 1. at the Ghatkopar station, 2. Dadar. 3. Grantroad and Kalyan but i came up safely on the platform without injury. Now I am very conciously walking on the railway platform I know most of the people had got this experience. But they don't want to share their experiences due to hesitation because of the blindness. Therefore, here everyone should be share his or her experience and raise your voice and find some solution on it. This is my humble request to all. On 6/17/14, Ajay Minocha <[email protected]> wrote: > Mumbai local is even tougher. > I have traveled by it for almost two months and had to be on my tows > everytime. > Delhi metro is much much safer than Mumbai local. > Therefore, the policies should be uniform. > Thanks, > Ajay > > On 6/17/14, Kasia <[email protected]> wrote: >> Ts fine to see they are demanding for assistance. But whenever you people >> are talking or asking or demanding for some assistance, as far as I've >> noticed, it's being asked, demanded or requested or even discussed all >> about >> delhi blind alone. Please extend it to national level. >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: AccessIndia [mailto:[email protected]] On >> Behalf >> Of avinash shahi >> Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 1:40 PM >> To: jnuvision >> Cc: accessindia >> Subject: [AI] Indian Express: how accessible are the Delhi Metro, DTC >> buses >> and the railways to the disabled? >> >> Timely written and published very handy... >> http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/the-city-fails-them/99/ >> Mahesh Kumar (40) takes the Blue Line Metro daily from Uttam Nagar, where >> he >> lives, to Tagore Garden, where he teaches in a government school. In >> November 2013, this visually impaired man reached the Uttam Nagar (West) >> Metro station to board the train as usual. He was in the lift going up to >> the platform, when he heard the train. He asked a fellow passenger if the >> train had arrived. On being told it has, Kumar decided to hurry. He did >> not >> have a Metro assistant escorting him that day -- he had asked for one but >> nobody was "free". So he walked unescorted towards the train. Before he >> knew >> it, he lost his balance and fell onto the tracks. Mercifully, there was >> no >> train coming on that track and Kumar escaped with minor injuries. >> >> "I was walking at the very edge of the platform and yet nobody paid >> attention. It was only after I fell that people screamed. That alerted >> the >> DMRC staff who came and helped me get up. Usually, I get a Metro >> assistant >> to escort me till the train. But if none are available, we have to walk >> alone," Kumar said. >> >> His plight is mirrored by other visually challenged persons who commute >> on >> Delhi's Metro, buses and trains every day. In the past three years, more >> than 30 visually challenged persons approached the National Federation of >> the Blind with complaints after they fell off the platforms of various >> Metro >> stations in the city. >> >> But such incidents involving the disabled are not limited to the Metro >> system alone. Similar accidents on Delhi's buses and at railway platforms >> show clearly that the capital has a long way to go when it comes to >> making >> its public spaces, particularly urban transport, disabled-friendly. >> >> Needed: Preventive barriers on Metro platforms, helpers for visually >> impaired >> >> Vice-president of National Federation of the Blind Inder Singh says the >> most >> critical problem the disabled, particularly visually challenged, face at >> Metro stations is the problem of falling on the tracks due to the gap >> between the coaches and the platforms. >> >> "The rubber-strips between the coaches and platforms are worn out. As a >> result, many visually challenged people end up hurting themselves. >> The most recent case is that of Sanjay Jha, a North Delhi resident who >> works >> with the Railways. He fell on the tracks and fractured his left hand," >> Singh >> said. >> >> The other problem, he feels, is an absence of steel railings on several >> platforms. "They have metal railings at the edge of platforms in Rajiv >> Chowk >> station. Why can't they put them up at all stations?" >> he says. >> >> Also, Metro assistants who help disabled persons at stations are >> reportedly >> unavailable most of the time. "Metro has no official post of assistants. >> Usually, when a visually impaired or disabled person approaches a Metro >> official for assistance, they ask one of their housekeeping staff -- >> sweepers, cleaners, guards -- to escort the person. Usually, we have to >> wait >> for nearly 30 minutes for an assistant. But who has that kind of time to >> spare? Many visually challenged students and employees are forced to >> board >> the train alone rather than get late for school, college or work," Singh >> says. >> >> When Singh himself fell at the INA Metro station last year, he approached >> the station manager with the issue. "I gave my feedback and suggestions >> and >> was told that it would be forwarded to the persons concerned. But nothing >> has been done so far," he says. >> >> There are also those who feel that when it comes to aiding the disabled, >> the >> Metro is far better than other urban transport modes. >> Rajive Raturi, in-charge of Asia-Pacific region of Disability Rights >> Promotion International, and is visually-impaired himself, feels >> accessibility is one of the most important concerns for people with >> disability and the Metro does justice to the cause to some extent. >> >> "The Delhi Metro is the latest urban transport mode, so it is more >> accessible than others. It has tactile gradings to guide the blind and >> colour markings for people with low vision. There are ramps and lifts for >> the benefit of the wheelchair-bound. The audio-announcement systems are >> also >> helpful." >> >> Raturi describes the availability of helpers as a "good facility", which >> was >> brought about by the efforts of young visually-impaired people. >> >> "Metro has now introduced helpline numbers for the blind, so a person >> receives them at the gate and escorts them till the coach," he said. >> >> According to Singh, the Delhi Metro could look to airports to see how to >> help the disabled. "At airports, a disabled person is given an assistant >> at >> the gate. The assistant leaves only after the person is comfortably >> seated >> in the aircraft. This must be emulated at bus stops and railway stations >> too," he says. >> >> 'General passengers, RPF personnel travel in coach reserved for disabled' >> Lakhs of passengers daily use the three railway stations in the capital >> -- >> the New Delhi, Old Delhi and the Nizamuddin railway stations. But, >> problems >> for a disabled traveller begins even before he/she reaches the station. >> >> The lack of lifts, ramps and assistants apart, one of the most critical >> issues a disabled person travelling by train face is the difficulty in >> ascertaining the train schedule and his/her compartment and seat. Most >> rely >> on co-passengers to read the schedule out to them. >> >> At present, Habibganj railway station in Bhopal is the only one in the >> country equipped with a Braille time table. The station also has special >> parking, ramps, toilets, accessible water facilities and a graded pathway >> on >> the platform for the visually impaired. Also, in another first, the seat >> numbers are listed in Braille in the ISO 9000-certified Bhopal Express. >> >> Vice-president of National Federation of the Blind Inder Singh feels >> writing >> coach numbers in Braille would help the visually-impaired find their >> seats >> without any assistance. >> >> Rajive Raturi, in-charge of the Asia-Pacific region of Disability Rights >> Promotion International, says, "Habibganj is one of the most >> disabled-friendly public spaces I have come across in India. In other >> cities, inter-platform connectivity is a problem. Wheelchair-bound >> persons >> have to go through luggage transport corridors. The coaches are at least >> six >> to eight inches from the ground and a disabled person has to be lifted in >> and out of coaches. Where is the accessibility?" >> >> Another issue activists highlight is the misuse of the coach reserved for >> the disabled by general passengers and railway staff. These coaches have >> broader doors and come with berths and toilets that are convenient for >> both >> the visually impaired and wheelchair-bound travellers. >> >> Raturi says there were instances of disabled people being denied entry >> -- in some cases "even being thrashed" -- when they demanded a berth in >> the >> coach reserved for them. "It is usually occupied by Railway Protection >> Force >> personnel. On several occasions, visually-impaired and the >> orthopaedic-disabled have been asked to vacate the coach for the railway >> staff." >> >> Singh claims the Railways has removed the reserved coach from many >> trains. >> "The seats are now enjoyed by general passengers who collaborate with >> Railway officials and "buy" berths under staff quota," Singh said. >> >> >> >> to help us personalise your reading experience. >> >> >> Lack of separate ticket counters for the disabled is another issue,he >> says. >> "One has to stand in a general queue to buy a ticket. At railway >> stations, >> they have merged all groups -- disabled, women, senior citizens -- into >> one," Singh said. >> >> The e-ticket facility also cannot be used if one wants to avail the >> disability concession. The Delhi High Court had reportedly taken note of >> the >> issue, pulling up the Railways for the "discriminatory" nature of the >> rule. >> So, essentially, if a disabled person wishes to avail the disability >> concession, he/she must go to the station to book a ticket. >> >> Singh also raises the issue of renewal of concession passes. "Why can't >> it >> be done online? Why can't they have travel cards that can be used in all >> modes of transport, rather than us having to run around?" >> he says. >> >> More than anything, activists feel people's attitudes need to change >> towards >> those with special needs. Only then can everyday issues be sorted out. >> >> DTC should have more 'friendly' low-floor buses: Rights groups >> >> Most bus stops do not have ramps for the disabled Most bus stops do not >> have >> ramps for the disabled Anjali Agarwal, the founder of NGO Samarthyam -- a >> disability rights organisation which works closely with IIT Delhi's >> Transport Research and Injury Prevention Programme (TRIPP) -- feels >> low-floor buses are an important step towards ensuring equal >> accessibility >> for disabled persons. >> >> "One good sign is that they (DTC) have seats reserved for physically >> handicapped persons on the lower level. The emergency exit is >> strategically >> located near their seat to facilitate easy evacuation," >> she says. >> >> But lack of 'audio clues', Agarwal says, is a problem. "Earlier, there >> used >> to be conductors shouting the destination of the bus at each stop. The >> visually challenged could then decide whether or not to board the bus. >> This >> does not happen anymore," she says. >> >> "The problem can be sorted out if an announcement system is installed on >> all >> buses," she says. >> >> According to v ice-president of National Federation of the Blind Inder >> Singh, since the engine of the low-floor buses is at the rear, the >> visually >> impaired can "hear" the bus only after it leaves a stop. >> "Earlier, buses had engines in the front. So it would alert the visually >> impaired. Also, not all buses are low-floor. The inter-state buses are >> mostly the older ones. So, wheelchair-bound persons cannot travel on >> these," >> he said. >> >> The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPD) Act, 1995, specifies that >> signal points must have different beeps to signify changes in the light. >> Zebra crossings are also supposed to have specialised signs for the >> convenience of the disabled. The suggestions were also approved by the >> Indian Road Congress, 2012, but neither has ever been implemented. >> >> The absence of ramps at bus stops too is an issue. "The BRT corridor bus >> stops are on the middle of the road. How is a disabled person supposed to >> make his/her way through the heavy traffic? If there are no ramps, >> wheelchair-bound and persons on crutches cannot access a bus stop," >> Rajive >> Raturi, who handles the Asia-Pacific region of Disability Rights >> Promotion >> International, said. >> >> Footpaths are another grey area. The yellow tactile-grading, which was >> provided across Delhi ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, were supposed >> to >> guide visually-impaired persons away from danger. Agarwal, however, >> claims >> that these tiles have been paved in such a way that instead of guiding >> them >> away from danger, it causes them to bump into trees or fall into potholes >> and drains. >> >> Agarwal highlights how most benefits for the disabled would also >> indirectly >> help other vulnerable sections of the society, including children, women, >> senior citizens and those with medical conditions. >> >> "When it comes to public transport, things are extremely haywire in the >> capital. What the government needs to understand is that these facilities >> will help the public at large," she says. >> >> "We focus on four important principles -- accessibility, reliability, >> safety >> and affordability. The government needs to provide a system that is safe >> and >> efficient and affordable so that it serves the people it is meant to," >> Agarwal says. >> >> >> -- >> Avinash Shahi >> M.Phil Research Scholar >> Centre for The Study of Law and Governance Jawaharlal Nehru University >> New >> Delhi India >> >> >> >> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >> of >> mobile phones / Tabs on: >> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessind >> ia.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.. >> >> >> >> >> Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility >> of >> mobile phones / Tabs on: >> http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessind ia.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.. >> > > > -- > Ajay Minocha > Mob : +91-9584076767 > E mail : [email protected] > [email protected] > Skype: ajayminocha2 > > > > Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of > mobile phones / Tabs on: > http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessind ia.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. 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