Provide barrier-free environment to disabled, states told

All states and union territories have been directed to provide barrier-free environment in important government buildings for the disabled, the Lok Sabha was informed Tuesday.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Sudarshan Bhagat said that under the Persons with Disabilities Act, the ministry provides grants to all states to build ramps, rails, lifts, adaptation of toilets for wheelchair users, brail signage and auditory signals, tactile flooring etc. for the disabled.

"All establishments, appropriate governments and the local authorities are mandated to take certain measures for providing easy accessibility for people with disabilities in a non-discriminatory manner," he said.

"The chief commissioner for persons with disabilities (CCPD) in a letter dated Jan 24, 2012, asked all chief secretaries of states to take concrete and time-bound steps to enforce accessibility standards and guidelines," he added.

"In this regard, directions have been sent to all state governments and union territories to implement the guidelines," he said.