Aagaaz...accessibility advocacy to celebrate IDPwD
Satendra
Persons with disabilities (PwD) are not only 15% of the world’s population but also “the world’s largest minority.” For us, the lack of access to essential services remains a source of discrimination and lost opportunities. Barriers exist everywhere in the form of physical, attitudinal/societal or/and inaccess to information technologies (E-inaccessibility).
The PwD (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 mandates barrier-free access to all public places. Also, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [(CRPD) Article 9, accessibility] seeks to PwD to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life and development. Under the CRPD, disability is an evolving concept that “results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”
Accessibility and inclusion of PwD are fundamental rights recognized by the CRPD and are not only objectives, but also pre-requisites for the enjoyment of other rights. PwD have infinite abilities and we need to tap this talent. 3 December is celebrated worldwide as International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPwD) as United Nation observance. This year the theme is ‘Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all.”
To commemorate this day, Enabling Unit in association with Infinite Ability has started an accessibility advocacy campaign “Aagaaz”. We advocate Ronald Mace’s concept of Universal Design (the design of all products and environments to be usable by people of all ages and abilities, to the greatest extent possible). This concept changes the emphasis from “special features for a few” to “good design for many.” An accessible design is for PwD but a Universal Design is for everyone, including PwD’s.
Aagaaz means beginning. It’s never too late to make a start. Let’s unite for the implementation of Article 9 of UNCRPD, and section 46 of the PwD Act, 1995 to ensure accessibility and inclusion.
As a part of ‘Aagaaz’ we invite you to submit pictures/videos from anywhere in the world depicting a form of inaccessibility or universal design accessibility. You are welcome to submit photos showing physical barriers, attitudinal barriers or barrier to information technologies. The photographs will be uploaded on Enabling Unit’s Flickr account and linked on Aagaaz page. Your submissions are welcome at enabli...@gmail.com. It’s time to highlight inadequacies and celebrate inclusion. There are no prizes but your small gesture will help in spreading the awareness.
Fatima Zahra
Thanks for this information. Hope I can contribute too. But one has to open a flicr account.
Dr Fatima Zahra
Integral University
Lucknow.
Satendra Singh
Warm regards
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Dr Satendra Singh M.D, F.S.S