#AvinashMahatekar #DrRaviSubbaiah #SugamyaBharat #AccessibleIndia “Why not use the word 'Divyang' instead of 'Viklang,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in 2015 winning the hearts of persons with disabilities. The PM had intended to make the change to bring a major shift in mind set about differently abled people. The same year, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government launched the “Sugamya Bharat” Abhiyaan meaning Accessible India campaign. A nation-wide campaign for achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities, the campaign was in Maharashtra the same year by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. It’s been four years and the campaign seems to have not reached any city in the state yet. NMTV Chief Editor Disability Rights Activist Dr Ravi Subbaiah took up the issue with State Minister for Social Justice and Special Assistance Avinash Mahatekar.
“VIDHAN BHAVAN IS NOT DISABLED FRIENDLY “
The experience of meeting the State Minister in itself brought to light that Accessible India implementation needs to begin from Vidhan Bhavan itself. The entry to the Bhavan has ill-fitted ramps, the elevators are not disabled friendly nor was the entry and exit to the Office of State Minister for Social Justice. In his meeting with State Minister Avinash Mahatekar, Dr Ravi Subbaiah informed him the need to make the Vidhan Bhavan premises and the office of the Minister disabled friendly.
“AUDIT OF CITIES UNDER ACCESSIBLE INDIA NEED OF THE HOUR”
In his meeting with State Minister Avinash Mahatekar, Dr Ravi Subbaiah informed him that despite the Accessible India campaign that advocates the need to “Build Environment Accessibility,” it’s not being implemented. In a written letter to the Minister, disabled rights activists Dr Ravi Subbaiah has informed that government buildings, transport system to footpaths, curb cuts and obstacles that block movement of wheelchairs to gardens, schools and even public places; are still not made disabled friendly.
His appeal to the Minister is :
• Direct the BMC, NMMC and CIDCO to carry out an accessibility audit in the cities of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai inclusive of the public transport system and all government buildings.
• Direct the Maharashtra police to carry an accessibility audit of police stations in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai
• Direct the Health Dept. of Maharashtra to conduct accessibility audit of all public and private hospitals and medical care centers.
• Direct the State Tourism Dept. to conduct accessibility audit of tourist spots in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai
• Direct CIDCO and MHADA to allot free homes to women and girls with disabilities
• Make Digital India initiative accessible to people with disabilities
Dr Subbaiah said that the implementation of Accessible India campaign should cover the built environment – services, steps and ramps, corridors, entry gates, emergency exits, parking – as well as indoor and outdoor facilities including lighting, signages, alarm systems and toilets wherever applicable as per law. State Minister for Social Justice and Special Assistance Avinash Mahatekar accepted the need for the same and assured to forward the appeal from his office to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for immediately expediting the same. Speaking to NMTV, the Minister said the visit has made him aware of the status of Accessible India campaign and the issues need the government attention, so will take the same up.
With Monika Bhosale, Zeba Warsia for NMTV News.
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