NGO rallies to make city more disabled-friendly

MUMBAI: Hundreds of Mumbaikars came out in support of making the city more accessible for people with physical disabilities on Friday.
The protest was organized by the Able Disable All People Together (ADAPT), formerly known as The Spastic Society of India, at Azad Maidan. The protesters highlighted the inconveniences faced by physically and mentally challenged people in public places, such as theatres, public toilets and railway stations.The NGO pushed for building ramps, elevators and adjusted toilets in public places saying these are a one-time investment that will open up establishments to nearly 15% extra consumer base.
Among those who participated in the event were students from special schools, including those who have been transferred to regular schools, and celebrities, such as actor Dia Mirza and filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor.
The event was hosted by Varsha Hooja, trustee and acting CEO of Able Disable All People Together (ADAPT), formerly known as The Spastic Society of India. Many of the problems that are faced by the wheelchair bound people who cannot walk.
Salma Qureshi, one of the participants, complained that she lives on the fifth floor and faces difficulty to take her physically-challenged son out when the lift does not function.
This makes it difficult for her to take her son to her house. She also says that she's not the only one who faces the problem but there are many others who are senior citizens who face the same problem as her.
Another was Shobha who said she faces challenges everyday. She asks "Are temples not for the ones who are in wheelchair? If we don't do it no one will do it for us. Everyone says we can understand, but no you don't understand. We have the universal design but we don't consider it."
Malini Alur, daughter of Able Disable All People Together founder Mithu Alur, was happy with the response to the event.
Malini said the facilities in public can be made more accessible to the people.
All the investments such as ramps for wheelchair in places such as colleges, temples, ATMs are not very expensive and are lifetime investments which would help the people who can't walk or climb the stairs. One of the spectators also said that don't just talk or comment about the ramps. We should also take care of the measurements of the ramps to avoid any accidents that may cause fractures to such people. There should be 2 inches tiles with only ¼ inch gap between them. And BMC should give permission to set this up in all the public places.There are buildings which are constructed after the Disability Act 1995 with no such facilities and the condition has been worse. The Municipal Commission should be informed about the infrastructure and basic amenities. It was also mentioned that it was decided that there would be a ramp for disabled in Vidhan Sabha, but no action is taken yet. It is the duty of the people to open the eyes of the BMC authorities.
Makarand Narwekar, corporator from A ward, said, "The event was an eye opener. It will help in changing the mindset of the people.
The needs and necessities of the differently-abled should be recognised. Since, we all are together in this drive we should help them collectively.
I will get in touch with the civic authorities and ensure to get as many facilities for them."
He ensured this would happen in a times frame of one year.
Nilakshi Sengupta added that "Walking on railway stations stairs is extremely difficult. So, instead of escalators the government should consider constructing ramps for such people."
Another disabled spectator said that he suffered from kidney stone twice just because he couldn't use the public toilets just because they weren't proposed in the way disables could use it. Also when he has to use the ATM he has to tell someone else his password and ask him/ her to withdraw money for him.
Nazhat Hambare (30), a spastic, was a student in Bandra's Spastic Society of India. She was shifted to the spastic school from the regular school as she had difficulties learning there. She says that the environment in the school is very good and the teachers are understanding. She designs jewellery at home and her work is displayed at exibitions. She also said that she received immense support from her parents.
The event ended with everyone signing a pledge to help all the differently able people with the proper facilities.