INTRODUCTION
It has been a great legacy of the 20th century that the thought that every human being has an equal right to lead his or her life normally has been accepted as a societal norm all over the world. Such rights could be in the political, economic or cultural space but concern the very existence of a human being. Anti-colonialism, anti-apartheid, feminism, jail reforms, job reservations etc. have all been streams flowing out of this very thought. Gradually, societies and governments are being called upon, and made to undertake, affirmative actions for all such groups, which either by birth or otherwise or due to natural or man made reasons, are at a disadvantageous position compared to majority of its members. Whatever be the source of such thoughts, in different times and in different locations, the philosophy has been gaining ground and covering newer aspects of human life over period of time.
Concerns for physically disabled persons are amongst one of the relatively newer areas in the context. Their position in the society is clearly different from the able bodied persons. They would face problems of mobility, problems of interaction, problems of learning, problems of earning livelihood, problems specifically related to their health etc. If one was to look closely,the most fundamental problem before them would be that of physical movement; once that is taken care of, a number of other issues fall into place. The physical environment built or otherwise, in persons with disability, operates acts an obstacle for their day to day life and the overall quality of life is therefore compromised
The issues about the movement of the physically disabled seemed to have got first serious attention in the United States of America in the 1940s. The serious effort for governmental action and laying down guidelines for providing accessibility began as part of the civil rights movements of the 60s. After a number of official declarations, ultimately these efforts culminated in promulgation of American with Disability Act, 1990.
On its part, the United Nations (“U.N.”) took over the cause in December 1976, proclaiming 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons. Thereafter, the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons was adopted in December 1982 and the period 1983-1992 was proclaimed as the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons. All these actions led to considerable activity in the field of disability at the international, regional and national levels. Various organs of the U.N., like The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (“ESCAP”) and The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (“ESCWA”) started collaborating with countries in their respective regions to put the standards for accessibility in place.
SCENARIO IN INDIA
India could not have escaped such attitudinal changes sweeping the globe, given that such persons formed a significant chunk of the population. In line with the global trends, the sensitivity of the Indian society towards the issue increased over the years. Earlier the efforts of the society at large for such deprived persons have been rather patronizing than to make them independent e.g. we have had schools for blinds, or fairs for free distribution of crutches or providing attendants to wheelchair bound to take them around a park. Yet, there were not much efforts to make such individuals physically, mentally or economically independent. However, as the changed philosophy took over, the Government of India started taking certain landmark initiatives in this area, through legislation and development of infrastructure.
ACCESSIBLE INDIA CAMPAIGN OR SUGAMYA BHARAT ABHIYAN
India’s Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi on 3rd December 2015, on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), launched Accessible India Campaign, also known Sugamaya Bharat Abhiyan. It was launched as a nation-wide campaign for achieving universal accessibility for PwDs. The campaign aimed to serve PwDs in country and create an accessible physical environment that benefits everyone, not just PwDs.
Several measures to be undertaken under programme included – eliminating obstacles and barriers in indoor/outdoor facilities such as schools, medical facilities, workplaces and transport system. The programme also intended to cover places like footpaths, curb cuts and other obstacles that block the flow of regular pedestrian traffic. Since then Government has been working continuously, undertaking various activities and measures to achieve the set goals.
Of all the above, making urban landscapes, buildings, and their premises completely barrier free become utmost important to make people with disabilities fully mobile. It is unanimously felt that buildings form a ‘PART’of the larger ‘WHOLE’—the Urban Landscape. It is of paramount importance to make the walkways, roads, and other parts of the built environment—that lead to the buildings—accessible for all, in order to achieve our goal.
About ten years back I met an architect working with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, an organisation which was at that time incorporating some elements required for a barrier free environment and I vividly remember an observation made by him during a course of discussion. “Sir, differently abled is happy once he reaches our station. But his main problem is reaching the station.”
Although extensive bye laws pertaining to barrier free environment are being put in place but there is an urgent need to incorporate comprehensive rules in the bye laws of town planning body/ municipal corporation whether they are involved in the development of an existing city or raising a fresh one, keeping in mind the principles of UNIVERSAL DESIGN.
Barrier Free Environmental Facilities need to be provided giving equal importance to all forms of disabilities, not only locomotor related, so that persons with all kinds of disabilities feel empowered and lead a normal life earning their livelihood with dignity and not be dependent on a number of people using it.
CONCLUSION
Major (Retd.) H.P.S. Ahluwalia, the renowned mountaineer who became wheelchair confined after the 1965 war, writing for Rehabilitation Council of India, stated “Right to education, work, freedom of mobility, of expression is of no relevance unless the points of entry to success, work place, sports and cultural arenas are made accessible. It is only then that people with disabilities will be able to tap their potentials, hidden talents and give back to society what they receive from it.”
Therefore, providing uninterrupted physical access to such persons boils down to a matter of right, and not one of benevolence or of being progressive or sensitive in thinking.
Dr. Sonia Mehta