Svayam:Creating An Inclusive Environment 1

Svayam’s Initiatives towards Creation of an Inclusive

Environment-Part 1

Prepared By

Svayam(an initiative of S.J. Charitable Trust)Jindal Centre,12, Bhikaji Cama Place,

New Delhi-110066Email: editor@svayam.com

web: www.svayam.com

Sminu Jindal-Founder of Svayam

• Sminu Jindal, the young and dynamic Managing Director of Jindal SAW Ltd founded Svayam, an initiative of S. J. Charitable Trust.

• A unique initiative that gives wings to people with reduced mobility.

• She is also the chairperson of ARUNIM.

Awards and Recognitions– Women Entrepreneur of

the Year 2009 Award by FICCI

– Young Global Leaders 2009 by World Economic Forum.

– National Tourism Award of Excellence by Min. of Tourism, Govt of India for making the World Heritage site Qutub Minaraccessible.

Role of Svayam

Svayam steps in as Access Consultants to fill the gap by

• way of undertaking audits, • identifying problem areas, • developing strategies to overcome the same as

per international standards of accessibility and universal design

• and handhold the implementation process to ensure the accurate execution so that rightful needy benefit.

Overview of Projects Undertaken• With Archaeological Survey of India, Svayam has audited

Qutab Minar and Red Fort. We have signed an MOU with ASIto make World heritage Monuments at Delhi, Agra and Goa barrier free.

• ITDC appointed Svayam as consultants to make the Ticketing complex of Qutab Minar, Visitors parking at Red Fort and Jallianwala Bagh accessible to all visitors.

• Working in association with:– NDMC to make public conveniences accessible – DTC to make Bus Q shelters accessible

• Initiated a process with Ministry of Urban Development to develop at least minimum accessibility standards for our country & have them incorporated in Building Bylaws of all States

• Conducted training workshops at Schools of Architecturefor students

• Providing access consultancy to the ITC Welcome group Hotels to make their existing & forthcoming properties accessible to all

• Conducted Disability Awareness and Sensitization workshops for the stakeholders from all segments.

Initiatives to Make the Historical Monuments and Places of Tourist Interest Accessible

Audit Findings at Qutub Minar

• Even the elderly find it difficult to negotiate high steps and need assistance in absence of handrails.

Pre- Audit Scenario at Qutub Minar

• The concrete ramp at the entrance was steep.

• The temporary ramp at the iron pillar was unstable, without handrails and had a very steep gradient.

Issues Identified during Audit

• The existing ramps were steep and did not conform to international standards.

• The floor surface of the ramps was slippery.• There were no handrails provided.• The connecting pathway of loose gravel made it difficult to

maneuver the wheelchair.• All the monuments within the complex were not

accessible.• The ticketing complex did not provide an accessible toilet.• The ticketing window was too high for a person on

wheelchair to access it.• No accessible parking bay present.

Post Execution of the Audit Report

Ramp at the Entrance of Qutub Minar

Post Execution of the Access Audit Cont..

Ramp at Iltutmish tomb

Ramp to the Iron Pillar

Continuous Level pathways

Accessible Ticketing Complex

Current Scenario at Red Fort• The ramp at the

Diwan- e- khas is more of a slip hazard.

• The steps at KhasMahal are not supplemented by any ramped access.

Red fort Audit

Svayam undertook an audit of the Red Fort and submitted its report which is under execution presently.

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

A World Heritage Site

The ramp that existed earlier at Taj Mahal

Current Status of Accessibility at Taj Mahal, Agra

Ramp at the Entrance

Ramp to the Toilet

Ramps to the Toilet and the Garden

Ramp Towards the Exit

Minor levels addressed at exit

Audit of Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar• Svayam was invited

by ITDC to conduct the Access Audit of a heritage site, Jallianwala Bagh at Amritsar.

• The facilities are being upgraded to include accessible features in toilets, drinking water fountains, pathways, etc.

• The audit report submitted thereafter is under implementation at the moment.

Public Conveniences

Accessibility Issues Identified in PTU’s

Accessibility Issues Identifiedin PTU’s

Accessibility Issues Identified in the Existing Public Convenience Units

• Most of the Public Convenience Units did not have any universal design features.

• Most of these units did not have barrier free access from the pedestrian pathway or the road.

• In some of the cases the access to these facilities is via steps

• Non-availability of even a single unisex accessible toilet in the Public Convenience Units

Site Specific Solutions Provided

Proposed PTU Plan

NDMC Public Conveniences

• The design of Unisex Accessible toilet proposed by Svayam was accepted for their tendering process.

• The design has been incorporated in the new public toilets being constructed at new locations in New Delhi as shown in the adjoining pictures.

New NDMC Public Conveniences

Content of the Accessibility Guidelines for Accessible Public Convenience Units

• Size specifications of the unisex accessible toilet • Layout of the Unisex Public Toilet with emphasis on

placement of the WC, Grab Bars, Washbasin, and door width specifications

• Accessible approach to the toilet block• Ramped access wherever required along with design

specification of the ramp• Basic hygiene, safety and appropriate international

signage and proper manning• Issues like ventilation, natural light, rainwater

harvesting, and alternate energy solutions like solar energy

• (Continued in Part 2)………….