This will ensure the widest range of people, especially some millions of persons with curtailed physical and sensory ability, can optimise the use of these facilities, with dignity and with safety.
Open eyes! It’s a national crime!
Why should man continue to spend money and time constructing physical barriers at public buildings that are safety hazards for all and inhumanely hinder or prevent an estimated 3 to 4 million others in the same society from taking a full part in social and economic life, thereby forcing them to live on the margins of society?
To do so wastes the precious productive potential of people who could and should be as equal as the next man. It has the knock on effect of losing gainful opportunities in employment, education and information, shattering self confidence, increasing poverty and thereby causing substantial economic, social and psychological losses which Sri Lanka can no longer afford.
It stems from those with very little practical knowledge and understanding of this vital subject of much national importance.
Their attitudes and actions disregard established national standards in buildings construction (SLS/ISO/TR 9527:2006) and ignore legislations for designing building parts (Accessibility Regulations No: 1 of 2006) that received unanimous parliamentary approval in March 2007.
Also they continue to violate blatantly orders given by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka (Ref: SCFR 221 / 2009) that make compliance with these requirements at all NEW public buildings and facilities, especially toilets, mandatory and specify that failure to implement them will attract punitive repercussions.
ATM machines of several leading banks and NEWLY constructed Supermarkets of a reputed company that are mushrooming in cities are the biggest culprits here. (Example: new outlets along duplication road, Jawatta road, etc.). Even ramps built are a safety hazard for less-able people!
Accessibility, an inherent right of everyone, is not a right that can be negotiated, bartered or diluted by anyone under any circumstances. It forms the foundation of freedom, justice, dignity and peace. As such, its violation is also an illegal and an inhumane act.
Politicians, professionals and decision makers, in the larger interest of Sri Lanka, should see such as continuing National crime and take effective measures to arrest this trend.
Power of accessibility
Universal design promotes ‘accessibility and usability for all’, especially for people with curtailed ability. It further supports greater independence, promotes the dignity of every person, prevents safety hazards for everyone, creates more opportunities to perform the normal activities of daily life, acquire gainful employment and inclusive education, and enables people to reach their optimum potential and participate as productive members of society.
Realistic figures are under-estimated
"You can’t depend on your eyes
when your imagination is out of focus."
— Mark Twain (1835 – 1910)—
[‘The father of American literature.’]
It is paramount to realise that accessibility and dis-Ability are NOT just about visible conditions such as people in wheelchairs or using crutches.
There are far more people, rapidly increasing in numbers, even amongst the youth, with numerous debilitating conditions that are not seen easily and thereby go unrecognized. These include arthritis, joint pains, uncontrolled diabetes, diminishing eye sight, and those convalescing after viral infections, surgery, etc.
Soon, nearly a fifth of our population will be senior citizens. Natural and man-made disasters (accidents on road, at home, on playing fields, etc.) seemingly increase alarmingly.)
Hence we all are ‘able-bodied’ temporarily, and only to varying degrees. Every one of us is certain to spend some of our time living with curtailed ability to grip and hold, turn, move or see.
Politicians, businessmen and decision makers should recognise that the realistic figures of those with restricted ability are much more than (10 – 12) percent of our population. They are estimated to be more than double this figure once those affected for a short time and due to pregnancy, obesity, carrying small children, etc. are also included.
When ability gets restricted, simple everyday activities should never become complicated or unsafe. The environments and facilities we build today must be a joy rather than a trial to use by these vast numbers tomorrow.
‘Accessibility for all’ can no more be afforded low priority in any agenda.
The cost myth
‘Constructing facilities that are accessible to all is costly and non-essential expense’, is a total misconception.
Accessibility is NOT an Add-on. If the ‘right measures are incorporated rightly’ at the design stage as an integral part of the development of the construction, the cost incurred will add less than 2% to the total cost of construction. Often the need for special or separate design such as RAMPS can be eliminated. Furthermore, there are several ways and means to improve accessibility at nominal costs, affordable even by small businesses.
Accessible toilets with appropriate safety measures in correct positions at hotels; properly designed entrances and steps with signage at banks, shops and markets, restaurant, auditoriums and sports stadia are essential investments.
Accessibility at public buildings is an indispensable low cost investment with good financial and social returns, especially when we all have a moral duty towards the productive re-integration into society of our ‘war heroes’ as well as ‘war victims’ .
In fact rupees invested wisely here, will touch hearts and benefit the lives of several millions of people.
Most businesses must still be losing vast amounts of revenue and customers due to dis-Abling environments causing exclusion of this diverse and growing customer base.
A Humanitarian Mission
Technology based products and services have surfaced to ENABLE quality of daily life despite restricted abilities.
They have the potential to enable the blind to ‘read’, the deaf to ‘hear’, dis-abled and elderly - even the housebound – to enhance their education and awareness, circumvent physical barriers, work productively even from home, enable buying, selling and paying utility bills, secure transmission and transaction of banking services, add quality to daily functioning, networking to keep actively in touch with friends, family and others who have mobility difficulties, entertain them and thereby maintain independence.
Promoting ‘accessibility for all’ at buildings and optimum use of the appropriate modern technology by the widest possible range of people are not acts of charity, but acts of justice for humanity. It should be the corporate social responsibility of the State - every Ministry in particular, the private sector and every citizen.
‘Must avoid’ pitfalls
To make businesses, NEW buildings and facilities that the public needs to access ‘enabling for all’ is good business sense.
However, ‘designing for inclusion’ requires a thorough practical understanding of the intricacies involved. There cannot be ANY MARGIN for ERROR as it is a highly responsible task of great national importance that demands time, money and effort.
As such, it is highly advisable that the authorities undertaking ‘building work’ should seek expert guidance especially from those with proven competence and wide experience.
Furthermore, every building and site is unique in its access and egress problems and solutions. As such professional advice that is given to one location could easily fail if copied at another location - each site must be assessed separately. Not to do that is a costly blunder we often see even by giants in businesses here.
Implementing productive actions revealed here is ‘NOW or NEVER’ for Sri Lanka. It’s an imperative need meaningfully to make our country ‘the miracle of Asia’.
[The Writer - a wheelchair user - is a known disability activist and a reputed accessibility advisor with proven competence.]
Dr. Ajith C. S. Perera
