India seems to have all the information, resources and even legislation to make the country more accessible. It is time to start enforcing action. There is still much to be done to make the environment, technology and healthcare more accessible.
Environmental Accessibility
Though India has taken steps in the right direction when it comes to realizing and sparking change in its problems with barrier-free accessibility, the country is still largely inaccessible. According to the Hindustan Times (2018) the Accessible India Campaign, launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), was off to a good start in 2015 when it set accessibility guidelines for buildings access, transportation use, and information and communication systems. But sadly, two years later it has not come close to meeting its goal of making 50% of the transportation systems and buildings barrier free. The DEPwD reported that only 3% of the 1,707 inaccessible buildings have become accessible in this time (Hindustan Times, 2018).
“Just one in 250 hotel rooms in India are accessible for the disabled. Globally, internationally, the ratio is 1:50” (Roy, 2016).
Accessibility to Technology
When it comes to technology in India, accessibility is available. But web developers do not seem to want to take the time to making their sites barrier-free (Roy, 2016). Examples of this are WCAG 2.0 websites and EPUB 3.0 publications. Government agencies such as the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment have also contributed by creating an accessible online library that accommodates visual impairments (Roy, 2016). Efforts from the Accessible India campaign and other campaigns such as Digital India campaign and the Smart Cities Mission all work to help bring awareness and change to accessible technology (Roy, 2016).
Assistive Technology
As for assistive technology, the future holds more than the present in India. As the country advances, so does its range in technology. For example, in the Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2) lab at IIT Madras, a lot is in the works in the way of assistive technology. The leader of the lab explains,
“With the goal of engineering and developing indigenous and affordable products for the disabled, the lab has created working prototypes of a standing wheelchair, a body-movement wheelchair, an add-on for outdoor mobility, a walker for children with cerebral palsy, a swimming pool lift, a prosthetic knee for uneven terrain, and a tri-state orthotic knee” (Roy, 2016).
Institutionalization
When researching what I thought would be the history of institutionalization of people with disabilities, I came across a disturbing discovery. Institution of people with disabilities is not just part of India’s history but part of its present. Involuntary institutionalization of women is still a common practice in India. In a report released by the Human Rights Watch in 2014, women are being locked up in institutions because the families do not have the proper resources. They have been reported to be treated, “worse than animals” by the Humans Rights Watch. In these institutions, women have reported physical and sexual abuse and experience overcrowding, poor hygiene and even involuntary treatment like electroconvulsive therapy (Human Rights Watch, 2018).
Access to Healthcare
For people with disabilities, access to healthcare is critical. But in India, a study performed by researchers Gudlavalleti, John, Allagh, Sagar, Kamalakannan, and Ramachandra (2014) found that though people with disabilities experience a greater need for healthcare, they have significantly less access to it. Compared to people without disabilities, people with disabilities were provided with less information as to where to go for treatment. Also according to the study, people with disabilities faced more barriers such as cost of transportation and building inaccessibility. Another, more unique conflict I discovered that people with disabilities face in India is behavior of hospital staff. I believe this is linked to the stigmas attached to disabilities in India.
Advocacy
Local Community Disability Services:
- People First Foundation (North)
Nirmal Tower, New Barakhamba Rd, Fire Brigade Lane, Barakhamba, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India
The People First Foundation is an organization that, works for the “empowerment, employment, integration and rights of people with disabilities.” It offers services such as counseling, skill development, and employment help for people with disabilities. http://www.peoplefirstfoundation.in/who-we-are.aspx
- Enable India (South)
473/B, Adugodi Main Road, 8th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560095, India
Is a non-government organization in South India (Bengaluru) that works to train and educate people with disabilities to help them gain employment. They work with companies to train people for unique positions. Provides services, tools and resources for people with disabilities in order to help them become more independent. http://www.enableindia.org
- Integrated Institute for the Disabled (East)
N 4/18 A, Hanuman Dham Colony, Karaundi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221005, India
Is a non-profit organization in the city of Varanasi that provides care to children and adults with disabilities. Services include total care to orphans and poor children, education, training and rehabilitation. http://www.iidindia.org/index.php
- Lakshya Art Foundation (West)
“ASHRAY”, 9, Shreyas Building, Fr.Floor, Patil Wadi, N.C KELKAR ROAD, Veer Kotwal Udyan, Opp: Plaza Cinema, Dadar (W), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400028, India
An art center that organizes events in West India to create and sell art made by people with disabilities. http://lakshyaartfoundation.org
Regional Resources:
- Composite Regional Centre For Persons With Disabilities
Palakottuvayal, Kozhikode, Kerala 673008, India
An organization that helps generate awareness, supports NGOs and parents, provides human resources development, disability services, enhances special education and vocational training, and provides research and development. https://www.crckozhikode.gov.in
- Disable Welfare Trust Of India
BESIDES SAI SAMARTH RESIDENCY, B/H, SHARDA YATAN SCHOOL, OPP. LAKE-VIEW GARDEN, UMRA, Surat, Gujarat 395007, India
A school that offers free education and services to children with disabilities from primary school through college. It also offers services such as physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and self-employment. http://www.disableindia.org/about_us.php
- The Association Of People With Disability
119, 4th Main, 9th Cross, Near-B L M Enterprises, Chamarajpet, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560018, India
A NGO that works to help underprivileged people with disabilities get services such as early intervention, inclusive education, improved livelihood, and rehabilitation in rural and urban regions. https://www.apd-india.org
- Bahera Munga Shala / School for Deaf Mutes
Opposite Times Of India, Ashram Rd, Muslim Society, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380014, India
A school for children and adults with visual, speech and hearing impairments http://www.deafmuteschool.com
Nationwide Resources:
- Cheshire Homes India
http://www.cheshireindia.org/node/18
Provides residential and day care homes for people with disabilities such as people with terminal illnesses, cerebral palsy, and the elderly. There are locations throughout India that provide expertise in education, medical care, and training. Also provides activities, therapy and support.
- AIF
AIF stands for the American India Foundation. It is a charity that works to improve education, equal opportunity, and public health throughout India.
- Sarthak Educational Trust
http://www.sarthakindia.org/pages/about-sarthak
Works to provide services that reduce people with disabilities dependency. Offers services such as early intervention, inclusive education, skill development, employment, advocacy, and the NGO capacity building program.
- Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities
Sarojini House, 6, Bhagwan Das Road, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India
Works to preserve and enforce the rights of people with disabilities as it portains to the Rights of persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD) of 2016. http://scdisabilities.or
References
Gudlavalleti, M. V., John, N., Allagh, K., Sagar, J., Kamalakannan, S., Ramachandra, S. S., South India Disability Evidence Study Group (2014). Access to health care and employment status of people with disabilities in South India, the SIDE (South India Disability Evidence) study. BMC public health, 14, 1125. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-1125
Hindustan Times. (2018, March 23). With just 3% of India’s buildings accessible, our disabled are at a huge disadvantage. Retrieved from https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/with-just-3-of-india-s-buildings-accessible-our-disabled-are-at-a-huge-disadvantage/story-Rh2rd4QzNzw9kHpmaTPV1H.html
Human Rights Watch. (2018, April 06). India: women with disabilities locked away and abused. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/12/03/india-women-disabilities-locked-away-and-abused#
Roy, S. (2016, August 31). India has a long road ahead in becoming a disabled-friendly country. Retrieved from https://yourstory.com/2016/08/disabled-accessibility-india/
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