KOHIMA, FEBRUARY 24 (MExN): The State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD), Diethono Nakhro has directed the Home Department and Deputy Resident Commissioners (DRCs) of Guest Houses run by the Nagaland government in various states barrier-free. The aim is to ensure that these buildings become universally accessible, aligning with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, stated a press release from the SCPD.
It said, “This will facilitate not only persons with disabilities but also senior citizens, people undergoing medical treatment, children and pregnant women.”
The directive followed an Accessibility Audit Inspection conducted by the SCPD team at the Nagaland State Guest House in RK Puram, New Delhi, on November 28, 2023. During the inspection, several concerns were identified, including narrow doorways, the absence of a single accessible toilet, unclear signages and lifts not meeting prescribed standards. Among the 32 rooms, including suites, not one was found to be accessible and barrier-free.
Subsequently, the SCPD Court issued an order with multiple recommendations that must be implemented within three months. The order stressed the need for upcoming State Guest Houses and Patient Guest Houses in different states to adhere strictly to the Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India 2021.
Recommendations
The recommendations included constructing ramp facilities with hand railings, ensuring hand railings at entrance steps, providing accessible toilet with necessary fixtures on the ground floor, making the reception area accessible and conversion of at least one lift to meet the specifications of the Harmonised Guidelines.
It additionally recommended the installation of accessible signage and way-finding maps with raised or tactile letters, high contrast colors, Braille or tactile symbols and tactile guiding paths with colour contrast on staircases. At least three rooms/suites on each floor should be made fully accessible by installing necessary facilities and removing barriers.
It emphasised, “The Recommendations are issued not only to the present Nagaland State Guest House at RK Puram, Delhi but also to the other State Guest Houses in existence in other States.”
“With the up-coming State Guest Houses and Patient Guest Houses in different States, the standards as prescribed by the Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India 2021, must be followed and implemented strictly from its inception so that such instances of renovations and retro-fittings are avoided as it leads to loss to the State Exchequer while also being time consuming,” it added.
It further recommended regular training/workshops to sensitise officers and staff towards the needs of Persons with Disabilities.
It strongly recommended the formation of a committee to ensure ongoing guidance and advice on accessibility on identification, removal and prevention of barriers to accessibility, at the State Guest Houses located in other States, as well as, in all the Department properties.
It also mandated conducting “Accessibility audit” annually in the Department to ensure that standards as prescribed by the Harmonised Guidelines are being complied with in all offices, quarters, new constructions and other infrastructure.
A three-month deadline was given to the state respondents to comply with the recommendations and submit an “Action Taken Report” to the SCPD Court.
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