Despite allocation of funds for the purpose, little had been done to make the spaces disabled-friendly.
A surprise inspection on Thursday by the department for empowerment of the disabled and senior citizens of several buildings that house government offices showed that despite allocation of funds for the purpose, little had been done to make the spaces disabled-friendly.
Among the buildings inspected on Thursday were the office of the commissioner for public instruction, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan and the department of survey, settlement and land records.
Buildings with less than three floors are not allowed to install lifts. Neither the office of the commissioner for public instruction, nor the department of survey, settlement and land records are thus equipped with a lift. Many buildings have a ramp for allowing those in a wheelchair access, but that is the most that is offered in the name of being disabled-friendly.
RV Kulkarni, office superintendent involved in the inspection rounds on Thursday, said, “Even offices located on the first floor cannot be easily accessed by those who have difficulty walking. There is no ramp within the offices, so even those on a wheelchair will not find themselves mobile within the offices.”
The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan is located in a four-storey building. It has a lift, but the lift is too narrow to allow a wheelchair a comfortable ride. The switches cannot be operated by those who cannot see, and no audio announcements are made in the lift.
MN Baig, director, Rashtriya Madhyamika Shiksha Abhiyaan, said that now that the department is aware of inconsistencies, a decision would be taken about any necessary modifications to the building, to make it more disabled-friendly. “We will make the required changes as soon as possible,” he said, adding that the main problem was lack of awareness.
This is the second such inspection conducted by the department for empowerment of the disabled and senior citizens. BB Puradal, state assistant commissioner for persons with disabilities, said, “Notices will be issued to the officials concerned. We will give the offices three months to reply to the letter, and then make a proposal as to what they are going to do. If nothing is done even after that, legal action will be taken.”
Puradal said that lack of funds could not be cited as an excuse for not making special arrangements.
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