Universal design for all differently abled people stressed

R Rangasayee, director, Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, has developed a unique visiting card that can be easily understood by visually impaired people too.

Rangasayee’s visiting card is one of the different, if you look at his card and touch it, you will feel a slightly raised surface and dots. It is nothing but Braille language and he is on mission to create awareness among people over the universal design concept.

He said, “When I exchange my visiting card, people appreciate the idea behind it and start talking about it. I have made this card purposefully keeping broad-spectrum ideas in mind. Lack of universal design for helping the vision, speech and hearing impaired is creating obstacles in their integration into society.”

“I feel there is an urgent need of universal design in our country, some of the developed countries have already made effort towards creating universal designs. The government also earmarked a budget for a universal design center in our 11th five year plan. With the help of the film directors, we have a planned to convert the some existing movies into universal design - such a film should have audio-visual information for the visually challenged. There is also a window for somebody to explain the movie in sign language,” he added.

Shalan Chavan, principal, Victoria Memorial school for the Blind, said, “People should help create barrier-free environments. That will aid the disabled greatly. In such an environment they need not depend on anyone.”

She added that sidewalk ramps are essential for people in wheelchairs but it can also be used everyone. Colour-contrast dish ware with steep sides that assist those with visual or dexterity problems are also needed. We need BEST low floor buses that that “kneel” (bring their exits and entrance to ground level to eliminate gap).