obstacles or are
impossible to use. It hinders the right to freedom of
movement, equal participation and access to health and
other social services. It induces fatigue, restricts
educational and employment opportunities thus causing
frustration. Even with the passage of the Persons with
Disability Act, 1995 there appears to be no national
approach to resolve the issue of providing mobility
for daily activities.
Samarthya, National Centre for
Promotion of Barrier Free Environment for Disabled Persons
whose main motto is “Let’s make the
world accessible’’ has been promoting and
advocating for:
Access
to the built environment & information- “Design
for All”
Accessible
transportation- “Mobility for All”
Accessible
tourism– “Tourism for All”
Samarthya has promoted the concept of Universal Design
i.e. “Design for All” in the making of Dilli
Haat (recipient of National Award by the Hon’ble
President of India on promotion of Barrier Free Environment),
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and High Capacity
Bus System (HCBS)/Low Floor Buses. It had conducted
Samarthya has promoted the concept of Universal Design
i.e. “Design for All” in the making of Dilli
Haat (recipient of National Award by the Hon’ble
President of India on promotion of Barrier Free Environment),
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and High Capacity
Bus System (HCBS)/Low Floor Buses. It had conducted
Access Audits (Facility Checks) of Delhi and Mumbai-
Domestic
Airports, New Delhi and Nizamuddin Railway Stations
and various bus terminuses. It had also conducted a
research study on accessibility of Indian Railways suggesting
cost effective, tried and tested designs. The recommendations
were forwarded to Ministry of Railways, Research DesignStandards
Organization (RDSO) and Integral Coach Factory (ICF).
A Research Study on “Accessibility of Buses and
Bus Shelters” has recently been conducted and
Delhi Government has decided to make one model barrier
free bus shelter at Hauz Khas, Delhi.
During its exposure, in the 10th International Conference
on Transport & Mobility for Elderly and the Disabled
(TRANSED), Hamamatsu (Japan) 2004, Samarthya observed
that many countries have introduced access features
into their public transport systems, which not only
meet the needs of disabled and older persons, but also
these systems are user-friendly for all groups. India,
which is characterized by rapid urbanization and expansion
of public transport services, it is critical that it
should benefit from the lessons of the developed countries.
In order to initiate a sustained advocacy campaign to
achieve accessibility and ‘Universal Design’
in the public transport systems, Samarthya believes
that the immediate concern is to organize a National
level Conference on ‘Mobility for All’.
OBJECTIVES
Better understanding between the policy makers/researchers
and user groups i.e. Persons with
Disabilities (PwDs).
Sharing of best practices and case studies (BRTS/HCBS
and DMRC).
Dissemination and data base collection of research studies,
both at National and International
level.
Developing indigenous and appropriate technology (applicable
for countries like India with rural
perspective, large low-income population and limited
government resources).
Exchange of information on “National Policies
on Accessible Transportation” of other countries.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
Creation
of awareness regarding importance of accessible public
transportation.
Documentation
of conference proceedings to be used as “Guidelines”
for information/reference by all concerned.
Promote action oriented research for cost effective
designs of public transportation.
Developing/encouraging stake holders, automobile manufacturers
to work out and develop concrete
strategies/plan of action to make existing mode of transport
(road, rail and air) and future
projects accessible to all.
Above all, the need of the hour is to develop guidelines
for uniform “National Policy on Transportation-
Mobility for All” addressing the concerns of PwDs
and senior citizens.
TARGET GROUP
Participants for this event shall be drawn from:
Government
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Tourism, Railways, Waterways,
Civil Aviation, Road Transport and Highways, Shipping,
Social Justice and Empowerment and others.
Academic & Research Institutions
Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs), School of Planning
& Architecture (SPA), Central Road Research Institute
(CRRI), Research Design and Standards Organization (RDSO),
Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Indian Automobile Research
Institute (IARI), Central Institute of Road Transport
(CIRT), Indian Rail Transport (IRT) and others.
Industry
Automobile, Tour Operators, Hotel and hospitality
Users
Senior citizens and PwDs
National participants -
60
International Consultants
Dr. C G B (Kit) Mitchell, Co-chair of the TRB Committee on Accessible
Transportation and Mobility and Member, TRB Committee on the Safe Mobility of Older Persons.
Mr. Gerhard Menckhoff, Advisor World Bank, Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS)
Ms. Ling Suen, Secretary General, International Centre for Accessible Transportation, Canada and Member, Scientific Committee, Transport Research Board (TRB), USA
Dr. Lalita Sen , Prof. Department of Urban planning & Environmental policy, Texas Southern University, Houston and Member, Scientific Committee, TRB, USA
Mr. Yoshihiko Kawauchi,
, Architect and Expert on Universal Design (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport), Japan
DURATION 17th-19th March 2006
The National Conference (three-day period including
field visit) in New Delhi would include presentations
and site visits such as Dilli Haat, Delhi Metro and
High Capacity Bus Service/System (Low Floor Buses with
modified accessible bus shelter).
PARTNERS
Samarthya is organizing the National Conference in academic
collaboration with TRIPP, Indian Institute of Technology
(IIT), Delhi.
Co-Sponsors Transport and Tourism, Govt. of NCT of Delhi; TATA MOTORS,
Handicap International (HI); Action Aid, India; FICCI-SEDF; Shell India; Indian Federation of
Culinary Association (IFCA) and World Association of Cooks Societies (WACS).
