Agenda: What are the issues pertaining to the Physically Challenged? In which can BMC do something?

 

 Present: Mr. S. Ratho (AMC, Mumbai city), Mr. Arun sabnis (Fulora Foundation), Ms. Shruti Goel (TISS student), Mrs. Vaishali Kolhe (TISS faculty), Mr. Robin (G.B.S. Trust), Ms. Sanchayita (G.B.S.Trust), Mr. Animesh Narain (TISS Student), Mr. Javed Haider (NASEOH), Mr. Suresh Sail (NASEOH) , Mr. Vinay Somani ( Karmayog- Conveyor, NGO- Council)

(Total No. of  Participants: 10)

 

Discussion at karmayog office: 3:30 p.m.

 

After a brief introduction by participants some of the issues pertaining to the physically challenged were discussed. They are as following;

 

1. Public Access

Public buildings- It was felt that the law regarding right to public access is not implemented. It is mandatory to make all public buildings disabled friendly.

 

One of the participants suggested a need to review the curriculum of Architecture Colleges for this matter.

 

Public Transport- Other issue was regarding disabled friendly buses. Although there are such buses running on certain route, the routes, bus numbers, frequency etc. is not known.

Hence it was felt that the bus routes, bus numbers should be written on Bus stops. Also a separate symbol should be put on the buses to identify such buses.

 

Footpaths- The height of footpaths was another concern that was discussed. At many places the height of footpaths has been increased. There is a need to make it disabled friendly.

 

2. Transfer of Telephone booths:

It was felt that the procedure of transfer of telephone booths after the death of a physically challenged person to another is ambiguous.

 

3. Reservations

A need of clarification regarding law related to reservations for jobs for physically challenged was observed.

 

4. Disability and crime:

Increased crimes relating to physically challenged persons was another concern discussed.

 

A need to gather a data on crimes committed by Physically challenged persons (due to frustrations etc.) and victimisation (rapes etc.) was observed.

 

 

5. Funds- One of the participants raised the issue of funds. It is very difficult to run a school for physically challenged.   

It was suggested that the list of GOVT schemes, funding programmes is available in various books. It is possible to get it from various sources

 

6. Sensitization of citizens and media

 Sensitization of Anganwadi and Balwadi teachers

These are some other issues discussed at the end of the meeting.

 

Discussion at BMC office: 5:00 p.m.

 

Can BMC do something?

 

The discussion with Mr. Ratho (AMC, Mumbai city) is provided in question and answer form;

 

If a private school wants special educators then whether it is possible for BMC to provide resources?

Mr. Ratho: For Municipal schools there are special educators but it is not possible to provide special educators for private schools.

 

BEST has introduced disabled friendly buses. However the bus routes, timings are not known. Also drivers and conductors are not sensitized.

Is it possible to inform BEST to put numbers of such buses on bus-stops?

 Is it possible to put a separate symbol on buses?

Mr. Ratho: It is a very good suggestion.

Disabled friendly buses have been introduced because of a PIL. The copy of order of the PIL can be obtained for further details.

 

Is there any roll out plan on disabled-friendly access in public buildings?

Mr. Ratho: Yes. However there are some lapses in reviewing and monitoring system.

 

Is it possible to review the curriculum of Architecture so as to sensitize architects on this issue?

Mr. Ratho: It is difficult for BMC to do it.

However BMC can make a panel of registered Architects who will certify that the new building is disabled friendly.

 

At many places the height of footpaths has been increased

Mr. Ratho: It is done to reduce the problem of parking. However there is a need to make the whole environment disabled friendly e. g. Only disabled friendly buses won’t work. Bus-stops, etc. should be disabled friendly.

 

The procedure of transfer of telephone booths after the death of physically challenged person is ambiguous-

Ratho: There is a procedure but it has to be made public.

 

There is a need to sensitize Anganwadi and Balwadi teachers regarding this issue:

Mr. Ratho: Anganwadi and Balwadi teachers do not come under BMC.

Mrs. Redkar (BMC official): UNICEF plays crucial role in running Anganwadis and Balwadis are run by PRATHAM and Rotary. For more information you can contact Rajlakshmi Nair (UNICEF)

 

There is increasing crime related to physically challenged. Is it possible to get help from BMC in collecting information on this?

Mr. Ratho: It is difficult to get the information because police department doesn’t keep records in this format.

 

Many people lost disability certificates in floods. It is difficult for them to obtain the certificate again

J.J. Hospital and All India Institute for Physically challenged (Haji-Ali) distribute such

Mr. Ratho: They must be keeping the records. So the best way is to streamline

 

Outcome:

It was observed that a lot of information is available but it not made public. Hence Mr. Vinay suggested that the information on various issues can be gathered and made public through karmayog website.

 

What are the key concerns, what is the existing system, what are the gaps, what should be the system and necessary steps followed by BMC.

 

Site enrichment:

It was felt that following sections could be put on www.karmayog.org

• FAQ section
• Information on nodal agencies (GOVT and other)
• Updated list of NGOs working on the issue
• Pictures of Disabled friendly buildings can be put on website
• An interview of a disabled person or a documentary film on disabled
• Jobs available in BMC for Physically challenged
• Acts, Policies, Schemes
• Approaches
• Statistics from latest census

 

List of info to be obtained:

• A compendium prepared by Mrs. Kolhe (TISS Faculty)
• Book: Status of disability 2000 - Published by Rehabilitation council of India
• Disability Act, 1995 from Internet
• A copy of PIL filed by Adv. Jamshed Mistry
• A comprehensive list of NGOs working in this field
• List of rich people who are disabled (can work as ambassadors)
• List of Nodal agencies working in this field (Government and other)
• A copy of circulars issued by BMC (NASEOH will give)
• A list BEST routes of disabled friendly buses (collected from BMC)