Building a barrier-free environment for all

An educational and awareness programme on an uncommon theme: ‘An unmet health need in the built environment’, was held recently in Colombo amidst a large gathering of distinguished invitees. The aim of this programme was to bring facts to the surface and make them seen by all on how man-made barriers to access and safe use of public buildings could even damage your well-being.

It was designed by Idiriya, a not-for-profit registered humanitarian service organization led by Dr. Ajith C.S. Perera, a voluntary disability advocate and pioneer campaigner in Sri Lanka for ‘Enabling Environments for all’.

Dr. Neil Fernando, a well known consultant psychiatrist and formerly director, mental health services, speaking on ‘unmet aspects of psychological well-being’, explained why mental health is key to an individual’s overall well-being and how people’s lifestyle and mental conditions in which they live, strongly influence their health. Particular emphasis was made by him on mind-body inter-dependency and how prolonged states of depression and anxieties through social isolation due to man-made barriers at public buildings, could suppress one’s immune system and thereby make people more susceptible to viral infections and even lead to cancer.

‘Man-made barriers to social-health’ was the subject addressed by Dr. Samatha Wakista, a rehabilitation physician and Director dis-Ability Studies Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. He emphasized the sensitivity of our health to social conditions and the physical environments we live, sharing his wide research experiences on many vital areas on this subject.

The last speaker, Dr. Ajith C.S. Perera, a Chartered Analytical Chemist, a Fellow of many international bodies and presently a Member of Sri Lanka’s National Council for the dis-Abled Persons, shared the wide experience he has gained and the knowledge acquired over a 12-year period as a paraplegic in educating the participants with a thought-provoking presentation on ‘Social Inclusion for Better Health’.

He explained why everyone of us may have to spend some of our time living with reduced ability to move, dexterity, etc. and emphasized that over 35% of our population are slow movers, yet healthy, able and full-fledged citizens. He emphasized that the architects, builders and engineers must respect the diversity of people using their finished products.

He reminded us that health is not mere absence of disease but a collection of mental, physical, social and emotional well being. Dr. Perera also indicated that lack of opportunities to attend to daily living activities through man-made barriers at public buildings would promote physical inactivity, which is only second to smoking.

Director Janashkathi Insurance Ramesh Schaffter which sponsored the programme and Patrick Vendenbruaene from the World Bank Colombo Office, recognized in a befitting manner, the commitment of Idiriya for such a worthwhile cause.

Productive contributions were also made here by A.N.R. Amaratunga, Secretary UDA and Viji Jegarajasingam, Secretary Ministry of Social Welfare.

The senders of the three most valuable questions pertinent to this programme, received handsome cash awards from Janashakthi.

The proceedings concluded with an open forum chaired by Dr. Ajith Perera, on ‘Action, to make right things happen rightly on identified key issues’ with the active support of the UDA, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Colombo Municipality and some business establishments.