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Rise to the challenge

A number of city development authorities in India launch group housing residential schemes for citizens from time to time.

Rise to the challenge

wheelchair



Aniel Kuumar Saha

A number of city development authorities in India launch group housing residential schemes for citizens from time to time. But it is ironical that the configuration and design of apartments on offer under these schemes are not sensitive to the needs of the physically challenged and the elderly. Even privately built residences have this lacuna. As per the census of 2011, India’s total disabled population is around 2.2 per cent (more than 2.5 crore persons). Considering the 1.25 billion population in the country, the number of disabled is significantly higher. There are also more elderly in our society. But as a result of the complete disregard for their specific needs, a large number of these people live in dwelling spaces which are not equipped enough for them. And disability being of different kinds and categories, the amount of problems for the physically challenged is very different. Actually, in most of our cities the very basic need — housing and mobility - remains a challenge for them.

While India has already passed the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill- 2016, the condition of living and standards followed for the disabled and the elderly remains abysmal in the country. 

So what is the solution? The solution lies in promoting the development and construction of disabled-friendly apartments and transportation corridors and mobility across our cities. Keeping these things in mind, architects and designers have to become an important part of the design as well as the construction process. A number of design elements that can make life easy for the physically challenged and the elderly can be incorporated in the apartments. 

Some such elements can be:

  • The common passage should have side bars on the walls to hold and walk; all staircases on the premises should be low rise and not very steep.
  • Easy signage and Braille signage should be a must for the benefit of the hearing and visually impaired, respectively 
  • The steps on the staircases should be wide enough for someone who has problem in walking. For completely disabled, there should be provision of a separate lift or a separate ramp should be there.
  • Within apartments, too, there are certain modifications required. These can be:
  • Every apartment entrance and exit door has to be wide enough to make the entry of a wheel chair easy. 
  • Rooms should have wide doors and at least one washroom/toilet has to be spacious enough to accomodate a wheel chair. 
  • Water fittings should be installed at a lower level. The bathroom should also be accessible with grab bars around the toilet, tub and shower.
  • Light switches and thermostats have to be easy to reach. Kitchen counters should also be low enough to use effectively. 
  • Within mass housing developments, particular units can be customised for the buyer with a disability or for families having a member suffering from a physical handicap.

The Model Building Bylaws 2016 (Chapter 8), IS Code 4963, CPWD guidelines for Barrier-Free environment give a very detailed design and planning guidelines to provide a barrier-free environment for disabled and elderly people. Thus for actual implementation and enforcement, there is a need for a strong business and political will. And the intent should be greater than mere profiteering.

— The writer is CMD, SAHA Groupe


What does the law say?

Section 45 of the notified Act requires all public buildings to be made accessible within five years of the notification of rules. However, the revised National Building Code of India should incorporate elements of a universal design to bring down barriers for the disabled. 

The Act is a revised and modified version of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1996. Both aimed at creating a barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities and the elderly. Both the Acts have also mentioned about features for residential premise.

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