Ability Forum

[kodakkal]

There’s a thin line that differentiates the haves from the have-nots. This line isn’t characterised by the wads of green notes you possess but the disparity between being abled and differently abled. All the brouhaha about Hyderabad on it s way to becoming a metropolis notwithstanding, some things, unfortunately, haven’t changed.

Planning a simple outing can be tiresome if you view the city from a wheelchair. The best of the malls, cinema halls (including the multiplexes) and amusement centres are still unfriendly to the disabled.

Prasanna Sivadas, who works with an MNC, has a sibling confined to the wheelchair after a polio attack. He rues the lack of basic amenities at upscale hangouts. “We are terribly restricted in planning any kind of outing. In most malls and cinema halls, the ramps are far away from the parking lots and lead only to the ground floor. Imax is one of the few places that are disabled-friendly,” he says, adding that multinational fast food chains and the Film City pose problems.

Wheelchairs are a rare commodity in cinema halls and even if you find one, you don’t go far beyond the lifts. Once inside the hall, there are no ramps that help you take the wheelchair to the seats. Try making a reservation in one of the front rows by stating your problem and you are met with apathy.

The Film City has its set of troubles as well. “You can avail the wheelchair for a refundable deposit of Rs. 1000. Since private vehicles are not allowed, you have to take the wheelchair into the mini bus; this involves climbing a couple of steps. You need to get in and out of the bus a few times during the tour; this can be cumbersome for someone in a wheelchair,” explains Prasanna.

If amusement centres present a sorry state of affairs, hospitals are no better. Suresh Kumar, a software engineer, has this to say about one of the city’s prominent hospitals: “One would expect ramps that allow easy manoeuvrability of wheelchairs and stretchers in hospitals. Once, when the parking area was crowded, we were unable to get our car closer to the ramp. The hospital staff waited and watched as we physically lifted the patient on to a wheelchair. Once inside the hospital, there was little assistance to shift the patient to the stretcher,” he recounts.

Several petitions and requisitions have been submitted to the Disabled Welfare Department, GHMC, from the Society for Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (SeDOP) in the past. P. Sudhakara Reddy, a self advocate who spearheaded the movement, admits to being disillusioned today. “We even approached many builders with suggestions as to how their constructions could be made friendly for the disabled. Once the technical feasibility and cost factor are studied, builders can decide on having adequate ramps. We have conducted access surveys in different parts of the city and have taken up several cases. The outcomes haven’t been too favourable,” he says.

Reddy himself operates from a wheelchair and says, “A premises has to be totally accessible for the disabled; partial access can be limiting. Many diagnostic centres and hospitals have narrow doors for the bathrooms. It’s impossible to take the wheelchair inside and hence I have to send the samples for testing from home.”

Is anyone listening?




Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

_________________
KODAKKAL SHIVAPRASAD,FUWAI,
Award Winner & Record Holder-International Biographical NOte.
PRO- www.disabilityindia.org/legalaid.cfm#1
Web:http://www.kodakkal.ning.com
http://www.giveindia.org/m-890-society-for-child-development.aspx

There’s a thin line that differentiates the haves from the have-nots. This line isn’t characterised by the wads of green notes you possess but the disparity between being abled and differently abled. All the brouhaha about Hyderabad on it s way to becoming a metropolis notwithstanding, some things, unfortunately, haven’t changed.

Planning a simple outing can be tiresome if you view the city from a wheelchair. The best of the malls, cinema halls (including the multiplexes) and amusement centres are still unfriendly to the disabled.

Prasanna Sivadas, who works with an MNC, has a sibling confined to the wheelchair after a polio attack. He rues the lack of basic amenities at upscale hangouts. “We are terribly restricted in planning any kind of outing. In most malls and cinema halls, the ramps are far away from the parking lots and lead only to the ground floor. Imax is one of the few places that are disabled-friendly,” he says, adding that multinational fast food chains and the Film City pose problems.

Wheelchairs are a rare commodity in cinema halls and even if you find one, you don’t go far beyond the lifts. Once inside the hall, there are no ramps that help you take the wheelchair to the seats. Try making a reservation in one of the front rows by stating your problem and you are met with apathy.

The Film City has its set of troubles as well. “You can avail the wheelchair for a refundable deposit of Rs. 1000. Since private vehicles are not allowed, you have to take the wheelchair into the mini bus; this involves climbing a couple of steps. You need to get in and out of the bus a few times during the tour; this can be cumbersome for someone in a wheelchair,” explains Prasanna.

If amusement centres present a sorry state of affairs, hospitals are no better. Suresh Kumar, a software engineer, has this to say about one of the city’s prominent hospitals: “One would expect ramps that allow easy manoeuvrability of wheelchairs and stretchers in hospitals. Once, when the parking area was crowded, we were unable to get our car closer to the ramp. The hospital staff waited and watched as we physically lifted the patient on to a wheelchair. Once inside the hospital, there was little assistance to shift the patient to the stretcher,” he recounts.

Several petitions and requisitions have been submitted to the Disabled Welfare Department, GHMC, from the Society for Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (SeDOP) in the past. P. Sudhakara Reddy, a self advocate who spearheaded the movement, admits to being disillusioned today. “We even approached many builders with suggestions as to how their constructions could be made friendly for the disabled. Once the technical feasibility and cost factor are studied, builders can decide on having adequate ramps. We have conducted access surveys in different parts of the city and have taken up several cases. The outcomes haven’t been too favourable,” he says.

Reddy himself operates from a wheelchair and says, “A premises has to be totally accessible for the disabled; partial access can be limiting. Many diagnostic centres and hospitals have narrow doors for the bathrooms. It’s impossible to take the wheelchair inside and hence I have to send the samples for testing from home.”

Is anyone listening?




Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

_________________
KODAKKAL SHIVAPRASAD,FUWAI,
Award Winner & Record Holder-International Biographical NOte.
PRO- www.disabilityindia.org/legalaid.cfm#1
Web:http://www.kodakkal.ning.com
http://www.giveindia.org/m-890-society-for-child-development.aspx

[Adverts]

[THOMASJACOB]

Yes - all of us in the forum are listening and we are well aware of the magnitude of problems wheel chair users are facing especially in a country like India, so we are here on the forum to discuss the pros and cons, and anything and everything connected with disability.

Unless we all come together to fight for our causes - we won't be able to make a difference.

As Amit says "Together we are better': - lets meet here regularly to exchange ideas and information about how we can make India a better place to live for those with physical limitations.

Apart from posting activities I urge personally each and every member to take part in all discussion raised in the forum, only then can we find out a way and leave our foot prints on the road less travelled.

Looking for each and every members constant and active participation here.

Are you talking about inaccesible facilities in Mumbai, thats what I feel from your positing????

Regards
Thomas

Yes - all of us in the forum are listening and we are well aware of the magnitude of problems wheel chair users are facing especially in a country like India, so we are here on the forum to discuss the pros and cons, and anything and everything connected with disability.

Unless we all come together to fight for our causes - we won't be able to make a difference.

As Amit says "Together we are better': - lets meet here regularly to exchange ideas and information about how we can make India a better place to live for those with physical limitations.

Apart from posting activities I urge personally each and every member to take part in all discussion raised in the forum, only then can we find out a way and leave our foot prints on the road less travelled.

Looking for each and every members constant and active participation here.

Are you talking about inaccesible facilities in Mumbai, thats what I feel from your positing????

Regards
Thomas

[kodakkal]

Hello,

I posting my reports only for gaining knowedge between each  other, hope that all of us can understanding the situation without politics and continue for whole discussions to redressal on grievances.

_________________
KODAKKAL SHIVAPRASAD,FUWAI,
Award Winner & Record Holder-International Biographical NOte.
PRO- www.disabilityindia.org/legalaid.cfm#1
Web:http://www.kodakkal.ning.com
http://www.giveindia.org/m-890-society-for-child-development.aspx

Hello,

I posting my reports only for gaining knowedge between each  other, hope that all of us can understanding the situation without politics and continue for whole discussions to redressal on grievances.

_________________
KODAKKAL SHIVAPRASAD,FUWAI,
Award Winner & Record Holder-International Biographical NOte.
PRO- www.disabilityindia.org/legalaid.cfm#1
Web:http://www.kodakkal.ning.com
http://www.giveindia.org/m-890-society-for-child-development.aspx

[Vic]

Thomas,

Thomas,

[THOMASJACOB]

Kodakkal, Vikas I am terribly sorry I didnt notice that

Regards
Thomas

Kodakkal, Vikas I am terribly sorry I didnt notice that

Regards
Thomas