Innovative approaches
The Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir recently held a review meeting about the schemes regarding the implementation of rights of the persons with disabilities.
He stressed upon the officers to adopt innovative approaches for helping these people.
He enjoined upon them that it is the social obligation of all of us, besides our moral responsibility, to assist them in every manner. He asked them to have wheelchairs available in the main offices for their ease, besides providing them help in reaching the particular place in the office complexes.
The Commissioner Secretary, SWD, apprised the meeting that the SIPDA Scheme has been formulated by Government of India to provide barrier free environment for the persons with disabilities which include access to built environment in schools, colleges, academic and training institutions, offices and public buildings, recreational areas, health centres/hospitals etc.
This also includes provision for ramps, rails, lifts, adaptation of toilets for wheelchair users, braille signages and auditory signals, tactile flooring, causing curb cuts and slopes to be made in pavement for the easy access of wheelchair users, she adds.
It also enlists engraving on the surface of zebra crossing for the blind or for persons with low vision, engraving on the edges of railway platforms for the blind or for low vision and devising appropriate symbols of disability, etc, as was discussed in the meeting.
