NEW DELHI: The government has formulated guidelines to make all government and private buildings, including malls, restaurants and public dealing offices, accessible to the disabled and the elderly.
The Union urban development ministry, after a year’s spadework, has prepared “harmonised guidelines and space standards for barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities”. The 100-page document lists out detailed specifications for all new buildings, including specifications on access to buildings, provision of disabled-friendly toilets, specifications of walkways, floor patterns, illumination levels, door handles, lifts, height of public telephones, vending machines, ATMs and drop boxes.
The need for the guidelines was felt after the ministry of social justice and empowerment pointed out that there are varied specifications from Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and state agencies. The ministry of social justice asked the urbG A·an development ministry to formulate guidelines that would be common standard for all public buildings.
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Source: Urban development ministry frames accessibility guidelines for buildings – The Economic Times
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