Be ambassadors of Accessible India Campaign: DEPwD secretary to officials

Department of Empowerment of Persons With Disabilities Secretary (DEPwD) Shakuntala D Gamlin has urged the state commissioners of disabled welfare to become "ambassadors" of the Accessible India Campaign.

Reviewing the progress of welfare measures of DEPwD with them here on Thursday, Shakuntala, who is also the chief commissioner for PwD, said they should ensure that the disabled people have easy access to places like hospitals, high courts, district courts, universities, colleges, public service commissions, museums, hotels, banks, municipal buildings and tourist places.

The DEPwD, under the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, has now tied up with private industries to implement AIC.

Shakuntala stated that the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Assocham had been included in AIC "to start ethos of accessibility for disabled in every building, corporate offices, educational institute, hospitals, historical and cultural centres".

A committee for standardisation of facilities in public places like airports, railway stations/ trains and road sector is on the job. Harmonisation of specification and standards of railway coaches, their alignment with platforms, inter platform transfers to lifts and subways are all being posed for better accessibility and quality standards, she said.

Sources said March 2020 has been set as deadline to complete work in public places and transport services for AIC.

As per sections 44 and 45 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, all the existing and new public buildings have to follow accessibility standards notified on June 15, 2017. For existing buildings the timeline is five years.

A Central Advisory Board, headed by SJE Minister Thawarchand Gehlot, is monitoring the progress and DEPwD is coordinating with implementing agencies including the state governments.