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Don’t forget them in rebuilding effort
By Esther Williams
The challenge of post-tsunami reconstruction is just beginning. Isn't it time to take into account the needs of the differently abled in these efforts?

'Access for All', a campaign that focuses on obtaining accessibility for differently abled people in the new buildings coming up was launched on March 1 by the Consortium of Disability Organisations (CDO). The campaign calls for the building of an 'accessible' nation that would ensure that all public buildings, places of employment, transport, services and infrastructure are accessible to all.

National guidelines on architectural access have already been developed in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Services, the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects and town planners and passed on to the relevant authorities for approval. Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy said that the disabled in Sri Lanka, estimated to be 10% of the population, have faced discrimination and constantly been denied their rights.

Advocating a disabled-friendly society that would open a new market in tourism for the disabled, project coordinator Thanuja Navaratne said that the initial focus of the campaign has been architectural access because if the disabled have no access to the environment, they cannot participate or serve.

"With a little extra input towards the disabled, the government would be able to spend less on their services," she added. The potential of differently abled people to participate in the community, to contribute to society, to contribute to the economy cannot be disregarded, she said.

The Consortium believes that if changes are made at the design stage of construction, there would be no extra cost. Changes proposed would be as simple as making doors wider, putting in handles instead of knobs on doors, placing switches at a lower level, having ramps instead of stairs, curves on pavements at crossings, etc.

The Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act No.28 of 1996 that contains such provisions and regulations has not yet gained parliamentary approval. "Nevertheless, with the new plans coming up for reconstruction we do not have time to wait until it gets passed," explains Ms. Navaratne.

The responsibility of rehabilitation and reconstruction of housing and towns affected by the tsunami lies with the UDA. Its Director General, Architect Prasanna Silva spoke of their plans to construct 80,000 to 100,000 houses adding that they have insisted on layout and design being made by qualified persons although construction is carried out by contractors. "We want to guarantee a barrier free environment," he said. The UDA has laid down such guidelines in the Colombo Development Plan. The Access Sri Lanka office has also established a database of disabled people affected by the tsunami that is available to agencies willing to provide services.

Copies of guidelines are currently available with the UDA, the Access for All office and the Ministry of Construction. In addition, a web page www.accessforall.lk is now on line.

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