‘Accessibility-first’ campus for children with disabilities opens in Doon

Dehradun: In a bid to create a more inclusive learning environment, Latika, a Dehradun-based nonprofit, has opened a "first-of-its-kind" campus designed with accessibility for children with disabilities at its core.Built on sustainable design principles, the campus uses local materials and craftsmanship along with low-maintenance, energy-efficient construction techniques, making it environmentally responsible and easy to maintain. Spread over 56,000 sq ft, the facility caters to around 1,500 children aged 7 to 14 with physical and developmental needs, offering education as well as life skills training.According to experts, educational infrastructure designed entirely around accessibility remains limited. The new Latika campus seeks to address this gap by embedding universal design principles into its architecture from the outset.A parent of a student said that the facility integrates accessibility at every level, with features such as a multi-storey ramp system, barrier-free circulation, inclusive classrooms, therapy spaces, and dedicated family support areas. Officials from Cushman & Wakefield, which provided CSR seed funding and pro bono project management support, said each element has been designed to ensure safe mobility, learning, and participation for children with diverse needs.Jo Chopra, founder and executive director of Latika, said, "The initiative reflects the belief that every child deserves to grow up in an environment where they are valued and can participate fully in community life."Anshul Jain, chief executive (India office and retail) at Cushman & Wakefield, said, "Embedding accessibility into infrastructure from the outset expands opportunities and enables children with disabilities to learn and grow with confidence."Latika, formerly the Latika Roy Foundation, provides a range of services from early intervention and special education to therapies, family counselling, vocational training and legal aid, working towards greater inclusion for children with disabilities and their families.