The new development plan for the city aims at making Mumbai disabled-friendly. This means all common areas and facilities intended for the general public should be 'accessible' for the physically-challenged too.
The new development plan for the city aims at making Mumbai disabled-friendly. This means all common areas and facilities intended for the general public should be 'accessible' for the physically-challenged too.
What type of buildings does the DP include?
Stating that buildings will have to provide at least one door at their main entrance that the disabled can access, the plan includes residential and office buildings, hotels, restaurants, eateries, schools, colleges, universities, student hostels, dormitories, dharmashalas, hospitals, clinics, dispensaries, maternity set-ups, nursing homes, old-age homes, welfare centres, markets, factories, workshops, industrial units, shops, shopping complexes and malls.
What facilities should they have?
The buildings will have to be designed in such way that there are fire and emergency exits for the disabled. There must also be in place handrails and grab bars on both sides of ramps and staircases.
Which recreational zones must be accessible for the disabled?
As per the development plan, open spaces, zoos, sports complexes, swimming pools, theatres, public transport stations, passenger terminals, taxi and autorickshaw stands, bus shelters and vehicle parking lots must be made accessible to the physically-challenged, along with accessible toilet and drinking water facilities at all these places. Other places under recreational zones include ATM booths, banks and post offices.
What does the plan state?
At least one continuous unobstructed accessible route or path of travel shall be provided, which connects all accessible elements and spaces in a building or facility for a person with disability. An accessible route shall be provided from public transportation stops, parking spaces, passenger loading zones and streets or sidewalks to the accessible building entrances and lifts.
What measures are a must for creating access points for the disabled?
As per the plan, directional signs shall be displayed at all non-accessible entrances to direct the physically challenged to the accessible entrance. Also, a passenger alighting and boarding point shall be provided at the level of approach.
The width of the accessible entrance door shall not less than 0.85 metres and the width of the corridors or passageways leading to and from such access door shall not be less than 1.20 metres.
The area designed for the movement of the physically challenged has to be made from vehicular surface to pedestrian surface, the driveway and pavement shall be blended to a common level or ramped. This area will also be painted with contrasting colours, or may have tactile indicators.
Officialspeak
"The plan has detailed information about each and every aspect discussed and deliberated. The aim is to provide the physically challenged easy access to all places and make them self-reliant," said a civic official.
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