SEMINAR ON SMART ACCESSIBILITY SOLUTIONS IN BHUBANESWAR 28th March, 2017; Bhubaneswar, Odisha

INTERIM REPORT

The Smart Cities Mission launched by Government of India focuses on creating a sustainable and inclusive development by providing core infrastructure and a decent quality of life with the usage of information and communication technology. To press upon the need for inclusion of persons with disabilities in the Smart Cities, NCPEDP in collaboration with Swabhiman organized a seminar on Smart Accessibility Solutions in Bhubaneswar on 28th March, 2017.

The main objective of the seminar was to ensure the rights and provisions for persons with disabilities in the Smart Cities Mission in Odisha. The seminar comprised of the following sessions:

Inaugural Session Session I: Smart Accessibility in Smart Cities through Digital Inclusion.

o Assistive Technologies for Education and Workplaceo Making Smart City Bhubaneswar ICT Accessible

Session II: Bhubaneswar Smart City Proposal, implementing Complete Streets Session III: Way Ahead and Action Plan

The inaugural session started with a welcome address by Mr. Vineel Krishna, IAS, CEO, Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited emphasizing on the need for child and disabled friendly cities with a focus on prosperity, equity and safety. Following this were the introductory remarks by Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Chief Executive, Swabhiman. Dr. Mohapatra laid stress on urbanization and a need for inclusive development to improve the quality of life in urban areas while maintaining the economical and ecological sustainability. Further Dr. Sruti Mohapatra stated that diversity should be taken into consideration in policy making by urban planners and that resources should be well spent for all of us. Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP, in his address, expressed major concern for disability sector today is ensuring Digital Inclusion of persons with disabilities in all facilities of the Mission. Mr. Abidi remarked that the gaps related to the accessibility of persons with disabilities in the Mission reflect poorly on our systems despite the availability of tools and techniques. Sounding hopeful, he said that the new RPWD Act 2016 will cause a major paradigm shift for persons with disabilities. The Inaugural ended with the address of Ms. Meenu Bhambhani, Vice President & Head - CSR, Mphasis. Ms. Bhambhani stated that Smart Cities Mission is a great opportunity for including the principles of Universal Design in all the components of area-based development. The features should not be limited to only disabled friendly pathways and footpaths. Importance should also be given to physical infrastructure which will support digital inclusion of persons with disabilities.

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Figure 1 – Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP addressing the participants on significance of digital accessibility in Smart Cities Mission. Inaugural Session From left to right: Ms. Meenu Bhambhani, Vice President & Head – CSR, Mphasis Mr. Vineel Krishna, IAS, CEO, Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP Dr. Sruti Mohapatra,

Chief Executive, Swabhiman

Panel 1 of the Session I on Smart Accessibility in Smart Cities through Digital Inclusion focusing on assistive technology started with the special address by Mr. R. Balakrishnan, IAS, Development-cum-Add Chief Secretary to Govt. of Odisha. Mr. R. Balakrishnan stated that a Smart City cannot be Smart without addressing the issues of accessibility in service delivery and that inclusion must be holistic. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Chief Executive, Swabhiman giving insight into the legal framework in place that mandates inclusive development with all the laws, acts, programs and policies in place the development has to be inclusive. Mr. James Thurston, Vice-President, Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict) started the discussion by highlighting the ongoing global trends in accessible Smart Cities. He emphasized that the real risk is the growing digital divide and the technology needs to be accessible and user-friendly for all. The discussion was then followed by Ms. Shilpi Kapoor, Founder Director, BarrierBreak stating that accessibility is about the choice and the right to choose. Ms. Kapoor emphasized that inclusion is not exclusive for persons with disabilities but is for everyone and technology is a key enabler in making every smart solution accessible for all curtailing the digital divide. Mr. R. Balakrishnan, IAS, Development-cum-Add Chief Secretary to Govt. of Odisha further added to include objectives on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the Vision 2036 document for Odisha. Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP concluded the panel

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discussion by stating that enforcement of law must be strict and that all procurement must adhere to the accessibility standards for persons with disabilities. Ms. Meenu Bhambhani, Vice President & Head - CSR, Mphasis further added that tracking of vendors and ensuring parameters for persons with disabilities is very imperative.

Figure 2 - Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Chief Executive, Swabhiman on need of Inclusive Development in urban Areas Session I: Smart Accessibility in Smart Cities through digital Inclusion From Left to Right: Ms. Meenu Bhambhani, Vice President & Head – CSR,

Mphasis Ms. Shilpi Kapoor, Founder Director, BarrierBreak Mr. James Thurston, Vice – President, G3ict Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Chief Executive, Swabhiman

The Panel II of the Session II, Making Smart City Bhubaneswar ICT Accessible started with Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP welcoming Dr. Kishan Kumar, IAS, Vice-Chairman, BDA and MD, BSCL. Mr. Abidi emphasized that even though there is a close connect between disability and old age, and that a large population comes under this umbrella, there is a lack of awareness and sensitivity. There is a major disconnect between the Accessible India Campaign and Smart Cities Mission and other various flagship programs of the Government of India. Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Chief Executive, Swabhiman continued the discussion by expressing that this is the most exciting time for disability sector to be part of the mainstream development agenda and that convergence of resources and programs is very important to holistically address accessibility solutions. Ms. Meenu Bhambhani, Vice President & Head - CSR, Mphasis for this press the need for the right procurement policy

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which includes accessibility guidelines for persons with disabilities. Mr. James Thurston, Vice-President, G3ict continued the discussion by highlighting the tools for accessible Smart Cities. He specifically talked about the market for Smart Cities technology which is booming and the need for governments to adopt clear policies which make procurement of accessible technology mandatory. Ms. Shilpi Kapoor, Founder Director, BarrierBreak followed the discussion by stating that dissemination of information using technology is a major means of reaching out accessible built environment. Dr. Kishan Kumar, IAS, Vice-Chairman, BDA and MD, BSCL in his address focused on the need to ensure that Bye-laws, standards and guidelines are enforceable at the city level. He further gave his assurance that accessibility features/guidelines for persons with disabilities will be incorporated in the revision of State Bye-Laws and also in developing child and disabled friendly street designs and public spaces under the Mission. Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP added that proper accessibility guidelines for built environment and for IT procurement should be followed like newly launched National building Code of India 2016 and the latest version of WCAG.

Mr. Vineel Krishna, IAS, CEO, BSCL further concluded that one of the biggest challenges is verification and to acquire a certificate for persons with disabilities which create problems during the implementation stages.

Figure 3 - Dr. Kishan Kumar, IAS, Vice-Chairman, BDA and MD, BSCL addressing the participants on incorporation of Universal Access in Design Components of projects.

Session II on Bhubaneswar Smart City Proposal, Implementing Complete Streets, Mr. Sandeep V., Urban Planner, IBI Group made a presentation highlighting the proposal of complete

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streets through urban regeneration by promoting equitable allocation of space for all users in Bhubaneswar. It also captured the design aspects of built environment for persons with disabilities. During the Question and Answer following the presentation concerns were raised on the the usage of technologically driven solutions like e-challan, digital signages, etc by persons with disabilities. Mr. Sandeep V. clarified that procurement of the project will incorporate standards for accessible technology.

Figure 4 - Mr. Sandeep V., Urban Planner, IBI Group and Team presenting Bhubaneswar Smart City Proposal, Implementing Complete Streets

Session III Way Ahead and Action Plan, Mr. B.S Chayani, Additional, Commissioner-cum-Member-Enforcement, BDA in his address stated that every facility and service should be designed by keeping in mind the requisites for persons with disabilities. He also talked about the vital need to create mass awareness and sensitization towards various needs of persons with disabilities. Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director, NCPEDP in his closing remarks stated that Smart Cities Mission is an extremely important opportunity for creating awareness and inclusion of accessibility standards for persons with disabilities in the procurement policy, guidelines of Indian Road Congress, Schedule of Rates, etc. Disability leadership and accessibility experts should also reach out to the Indian Buildings Congress, Engineering Council of India, and Council of Architecture in order to promote accessibility parameters and standards among major institutions. The seminar concluded by Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, Chief Executive, Swabhiman remarks stating that smart solutions are not smart unless they cater the accessibility needs of elders/aging and disabled population.

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Figure 5 - Participants at Seminar on Smart Accessibility Solutions in Bhubaneswar

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