Mumbai: The report by a private body indicating that most skywalks are under-utilised is worrisome. One reason is that large amount of public funds have been poured into the project and if people aren't using the facilities then it amounts to gross waste of taxpayers' funds.
It was interesting reading the views expressed by commuters about the skywalks in Mumbai. There are many links already implemented in the city and many are being planned. I have some suggestions; firstly they must be accessible for people with disabilities. The state agency seems to have forgotten that physically-challenged individuals are also expected to use them. There are no signages indicating directions for those suffering from hearing impairment. For example, Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, situated in Bandra West provides rehabilitation services for the deaf, cannot be accessed from the Bandra railway station, using the skywalk being constructed. For visually challenged users there are no tactile tiles or sound alerts. There are no escalators or lifts for senior citizens or those suffering from orthopaedic disability. MMRDA should make these bridges free of barriers forpersons with disabilities. India is signatory to the guidelines on accessibility of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The convention treats persons with disabilities as 'subjects' with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent. (The writer works as media officer with Ali Yavar Jung National Institute For The Hearing Handicapped) PJ Mathew Martin Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/speakup/report_disabled-too-should-have-access-t o-skywalks_1365892 Information transmitted by this e-mail is proprietary to MphasiS, its associated companies and/ or its customers and is intended for use only by the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient or it appears that this mail has been forwarded to you without proper authority, you are notified that any use or dissemination of this information in any manner is strictly prohibited. In such cases, please notify us immediately at mailmas...@mphasis.com and delete this mail from your records. To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
