------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------- Make tourist spots disabled-friendly: workshop ------------------------------------------------------------- Goa is a favourite destination for domestic and international tourists but for the disabled and elderly it is still inaccessible.
Because, places of tourists importance, hotels, streets, shops and other places of historical and cultural interest have no approach mode for the handicapped and elderly population.
"All means of transport need to be reviewed for providing the disabled and elderly tourists and the local population accessible, universal or Barrier Free Environment (BFE)", said Radha Pamnani, Chief Architect, PWD, in her keynote address a the workshop on "Barrier Free Environment" on Saturday in Panjim.
The one-day workshop was organized by the Department of Social Welfare in association with office of the Chief Architect, PWD and the Indian Institute of Architects, Goa Chapter.
She said tourism and transportation are inseparable and transportation is fundamental right of people. Every individual including the disabled and elderly have the right to travel with dignity and independence. Travel is a daily necessity for education, employment, medical attention or entertainment. Tourism is a mainstay of the State economy. Persons with disabilities, mother's with babies in prams, a daughter bringing her aged father or mother, constitutes a vast untapped tourism potential.
So also mostly persons above 60 who have all the time and money to indulge in traveling.
However, their travel experiences are characterised by transportation constraints, inaccessible accommodation, inadequate customer services and inaccessible tourism sites.
Hence, Goa should lay emphasis on its tourism and transportation that will be friendly towards elderly, children and disabled, recommended Radha Pamnani.
People with diverse disabilities, senior citizens, pregnant women, families with young children, those carrying excessive baggage, those with diabetes, respiratory, cardiovascular, arthritis or temporary ailments, injury or fracture constitute a sizable segment, which belongs to middle and lower income groups.
As such it is beyond their means to use a private car, taxi or auto rickshaw. Whereas in the existing transport system both the vehicles, and terminals are full of obstacles, stated Radha Pamnani emphasising barrier free environment where a disabled as well as an able-bodied person can move about without having to be dependent on another person.
"The State government should impress upon all concerned planners, architects, engineers, builders for improving external and internal environment friendly to disabled and elderly population.
The government should incorporate all these ideas in the building bye laws so that henceforth buildings are barrier free, and also take steps to make existing environment barrier free, says Radha Pamnani
She has also suggested that Goa should go all out to match international standards, specially in view of forthcoming international film festival.
Further, the State should incorporate all the features of universal or inclusive designs in public spaces, cultural heritage and places of scenic beauty so as to make them accessible to all, according to Radha Pamnani. ----------------------------- HERALD 9/5/04 page 3 -----------------------------
======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================
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