Showing posts with label Access Audit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Access Audit. Show all posts

Monday, October 16, 2023

Supreme Court unveils Report With Recommendations For Better Accessibility For Persons With Disabilities, Senior Citizens And Women

New Delhi, India

In a monumental stride toward inclusivity and accessibility, the Supreme Court Committee on Accessibility, spearheaded by Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, unveiled its Audit Report on the physical and functional accessibility of the Supreme Court for individuals with disabilities. The committee, established by the Chief Justice of India Shri DY Chandrachud on November 28, 2022, presented its comprehensive findings on October 16, 2023, accompanied by a series of recommendations aimed at dismantling barriers hindering access to the Supreme Court.

Justice Bhat, on the occasion of the report's release, commended this pioneering endeavor, emphasizing its unprecedented nature. He extended his gratitude to the committee members and the various sub-committees for their unwavering dedication to this endeavor, which he emphasized had sought to encompass the perspectives of a wide spectrum of individuals. Notably, the audit delved into both the physical and technological dimensions of accessibility.

Chief Justice Chandrachud offered his congratulations to Justice Bhat and the committee for their diligent and comprehensive efforts. He was particularly impressed by the multifaceted approach adopted by the committee, which incorporated a wide array of research techniques to systematically and thoroughly address accessibility concerns. Their study encompassed physical audits, operational assessments, and insights gathered through exhaustive questionnaires. This encompassed an assessment of the physical infrastructure of the Supreme Court, including courtrooms, washrooms, drinking water facilities, bathrooms, canteens, registrar courts, administrative offices, common facilities, and libraries. Notably, the Chief Justice underlined that the study had incorporated independent inputs from numerous stakeholders, with special consideration for the unique challenges faced by women.

Furthermore, Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized that the committee had rigorously evaluated functional accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Special attention was also given to understanding and resolving the distinct challenges encountered by women in the Court, spanning lawyers, litigants, and staff. Additionally, the report focused on senior citizens, acknowledging the significant presence of senior advocate professionals. A notable aspect was the committee's consideration of specialized court procedures for individuals living with HIV. The report from the committee contains a multitude of noteworthy recommendations, many of which are also legal mandate under the Rights of Persons with Disbilities Act 2016 :-

1. Establishment of route maps and comprehensive signages.

2. Development of disability-friendly pathways.

3. Creation of designated parking areas with diligent monitoring for individuals with disabilities.

4. Augmentation of access to essential facilities like washrooms, water units, canteens, and ATMs.

5. Introduction of convenience features such as battery-operated vehicles, hydraulic lifts in courtrooms and auditoriums, and reserved seating for pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, and senior citizens.

6. Provision of accessible tools, including sign language interpretation and documents catered to visually impaired individuals and stakeholders with disabilities.

7. Implementation of sensitization sessions and the assurance of dedicated service windows, online resources, and human assistance for individuals with disabilities and senior citizens.

8. Establishment of a dedicated accessibility and inclusion department within the Supreme Court's registry.

9. Introduction of specialized facilities such as feeding and changing rooms.

10. Implementation of an equal opportunity policy for the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Chandrachud further noted that the report would serve as a valuable reference for High Courts, aiding them in assessing the physical and functional accessibility within their own premises. Importantly, he also revealed that the findings of the audit report would be made accessible to the public in the near future, underscoring the commitment to transparency and accountability in fostering a more inclusive judicial system.

Monday, October 05, 2020

Opportunity for participating in CPABE Pilot Exam and get IAAP's CPABE certification at 50% of the listed fee

Dear Colleagues,

The International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) is  a platform where accessibility professionals from around the world come together to define, promote and improve the accessibility profession through networking, education and certification. 

The IAAP has, over the past year, established a Taskforce of Subject Matter Experts to prepare certification exams for 'Certified Professional in Accessible Built Environments (CPABE)' credential, one of the programs that were originally developed under GAATES leadership, identifying the need of this professional recognition to ensure universally designed spaces for a greater global impact. It was transitioned to G3ict and is being led by its division IAAP now.

The CPABE pilot is currently open (September 30 to October 30, 2020). Limited space is available! IAAP is currently seeking pilot participants to fill the remaining spots for these exams.  The participants would be considered early adopters of the program content, already have the necessary skills and experience to pass the exam with little preparation. A DRAFT of the Body of Knowledge is also available to guide registered participants. You may read more about it at the following links:

1. The overview of the CPABE Pilot 

2. Registration for CPABE Pilot 

3. Exam Outline to guide the applicants

Exams are completed online with a proctor of your choosing or one assigned by IAAP at no additional cost. If you, or members of your extended network, champion Universal Design in the built environment, meet the certification criteria and would like to take part in the pilot, participants will help to shape the final outcomes of the program before public launch and earn certification at 50% off the list price.

 

Please register today or contact Ms. Tracey Shipman, IAAP's Program Manager with any questions you may have at email tshipman@accessibilityassociation.org


 


Thursday, March 01, 2018

CABE conducted an Access Sensitisation Workshop for North Municipal Corporation of Delhi

Picture of Sh. TD Dhariyal, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities  for Govt. of Delhi explaining the mandate of RPWD Act 2016 during the Access Sensitization workshop

Sh. TD Dhariyal, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities 
for Govt. of Delhi explaining the mandate of RPWD Act 2016
01 Mar 2018, New Delhi

On an invitation from the North Municipal Corporation of Delhi, CABE Team today organised an Access Sensitisation Workshop for the Senior Engineers and Architects of the North MCD in presence of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Sh. TD Dhariyal. Incidentally, the North MCD is also facing notices from the Court of State Commissioner for inaccessibility of sidewalks, street infrastructure, public toilets and office buildings. Hon'ble Delhi High Court has also made strong observations in a public interest litigation filed by Sh. Nipun Malhotra against different civic bodies. The training was organised in this context so that the concerned officials were sensitised and trained on the mandate of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act  2016 and the accessibility requirements under the law and guidelines.


Picture 1 of Attendees at the Access Sensitization workshop
Fig A. Senior Engineers and Architects of the Corporation attending the Workshop

Picture 2 of participants at the workshop showing Senior Engineers and Architects of the Corporation
Fig B. Senior Engineers and Architects of the Corporation attending the Workshop

Picture 3 of the participants attending the workshop
Fig. Sh. Amor Kool detailing the importance of Universal Design while planning and renovating infrastructure. 

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2016 and the Rules notified by the Govt. of India thereunder require the Public Authorities to meet the mandate of accessibility in public infrastructure and transportation within five years of the notification while for organisations (both private and public) need to make their services accessible within two years of the notification of the Act. It has already a year since the law has passed and the ground reality presents a grim picture. Unless the municipalities and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) immediately incorporate and adopt an Action Plan / Strategy Document for achieving the mandate of accessibility for the areas under their jurisdiction, it will be too late.

The RPWD Act 2016 presents an opportunity before the ULBs and developmental agencies to adopt Accessibility Plans for their areas for time bound implementation to promote inclusive communities in addition to smart cities. The time to act is now, before it is too late.



Thursday, April 27, 2017

3 Day Training Course on Accessible India Campaign for CPWD Architects conducted

Dear Colleagues,


CABE, India conducted yet another 3- day Full time Accessibility Training Program under 'Accessible India Campaign' for the Architects of CPWD at National CPWD Academy, Ghaziabad as a part of the "Foundation Training Program for Dy. Architects -2016 Batch & Special Training Program for Assistant Architects" during 24-26 April 2017.

A total of 30 Architects (19 Dy. Architects + 11 Asst. Architects) underwent the three day rigorous training program consisting of components such as Law & Policy Framework on Disability, Salient features of new Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Disability Sensitization, Disability Etiquette, Anthropometry, Universal Design, Detailed study of Accessibility Standards followed by Practical Access Audits by Trainees & presentations of Access Audit Reports.

Simulation in progress-1

Simulation in progress-2

Simulation in progress-3


Written Evaluation Test after the training in progress

A group photo of the batch of Trainees taken at the close of training program
A group photo of the batch of Trainees taken at the close of training program


For more pictures, visit our Facebook Page  here or the specific album on the page here. 

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

3rd Batch of Access Auditor Training at National CPWD Academy by CABE (11-13 Apr 2016)



Dear colleagues,

Picture of the Banner posted out the Classroom of Basic Access Auditor Training under Accessible India Campaign
Batch III - Training Course on Accessible India Campaign
As part of Accessible India Campaign, National CPWD Academy, Ghaziabad, being a nodal agency for capacity development of stakeholders on access audits of built environment, is conducting Basic Access Auditor course - a three day full time residential programme for in-service architects and engineers of CPWD posted at  different locations in India. CABE Foundation is leading this training program as an Expert Agency. The training was led by Mr. Subhash Chandra Vashishth, Director and Principal Consultant - Accessibility and Universal Design at CABE Foundation.  

A picture of trainees from A picture of Trainees from Group III of Batch 3 conducting access audit
Group I of Batch 3 conducting access audit indicating their group

In this series, the IIIrd batch of 3 day training was held during 11 April 2016 to 13 April 2016 at National CPWD Academy, Ghaziabad under the aegis of CABE Foundation. A total of 47 architects and engineers of CPWD attended and successfully completed the Basic Access Auditor Course.

A picture of Trainees from Group III of Batch 3 conducting access audit
Group III of Batch 3 conducting access audit indicating their group

The participants were trained and examined on not just the Space Standards on Barrier Free Environment and Accessibility based on Universal Design but also exposed to practical access audit practice and report making. 

The trained Basic Access Auditors would be expected to conduct access audit of govt buildings -both Central Govt and State Govt in their region where they are posted and make them accessible as per the mandate of Accessible India Campaign of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.


A picture of a group of Trainees after the Physical Access Audit
A group of Trainees after the Physical Access Audit


Picture of trainees appearing in the Written Test post the Access Audit Training
Trainees appearing in the Written Assessment Test post the Access Audit Training

Group Photo of Batch III Trainees at National CPWD Academy, Ghaziabad trained as Basic Access Auditors under Accessible India Campaign during 11-13 April 2016. A copy of this photo is available on CPWD website at link: http://cpwd.gov.in/WriteReadData/training_cir/20749.pdf
Group Photo of Batch III Trainees at National CPWD Academy.
This photo is also available in higher resolution PDF File on CPWD Website link: http://cpwd.gov.in/WriteReadData/training_cir/20749.pdf

Stay tuned for regular updates by subscribing to this website and visiting us on Facebook Page: CABE Foundation

Saturday, April 09, 2016

CABE conducts 3-day Access Auditor Training for CPWD (2nd Batch) 7-9 Apr 16

Dear colleagues,

Batch II of Access Audit Training
As part of Accessible India Campaign, National CPWD Academy has been designated to be the nodal agency to conduct capacity development training on access audits of built environment.

Mr. Subhash Chandra Vashishth, Founder CABE (extreme left)
with Ms. Papiya Sarkar, Chief Architect, DMRC (extreme right),
Mr. Satish  Kumar, EE, Course Coordinator, (2nd from rt.)
Mr. Shivam Awasthi, Volunteer-CABE (3d from right) & EE Goa
In a time bound manner CPWD will train it's all engineers and architects on the Harmonized Guidelines and Space Standards on Barrier Free Environment for Elderly & Persons with Disabilities and National Building Code of India.

In this series, the National CPWD Academy, Ghaziabad under the aegis of CABE, conducted a three day full time residential training course leading to a Basic Access Auditor Certificate during 07 April to 09 April 2016.

This was the second batch of Basic Access Auditors. The course was attended and successfully completed by 29 architects and engineers of CPWD currently posted at different locations in India.

Group I of Batch II doing Access Audit
The course included orientation to legal and policy framework on accessibility in India; Use of right terminology and disability etiquette; introduction to the Indian Codes & Guidelines on accessibility; Simulation and User derived space standards, Sample Access audit of Built Infrastructure followed by a written test and practical exposure to the trainees.

Group II of Batch II doing Access Audit
The trainees were also exposed to the access audit process and putting together technical access audit reports highlighting the barriers to accessibility and solutions to overcome them followed by group presentations.  

The trained Basic Access Auditors would be expected to conduct access audit of govt buildings -both Central Govt and State Govt in their area and make them accessible as per the mandate of Accessible India Campaign of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

Visit us for regular updates on Facebook Page:  CABE India. Stay tuned!





Monday, April 04, 2016

Launch of CABE- Centre for Accessibility in Built Environment, India

Dear colleagues, 

This blog is to share the updates on the activities of CABE Foundation (Centre for Accessibility in Built Environment Foundation), India and to disseminate the latest developments in the field of Accessibility and Universal Design. 

CABE Foundation was established on 01 April 2016 as an advocacy, research and capacity building non profit organisation to further the object of Accessibility in the built environment, transportation systems and Infrastructure and enhance mobility for all for a liveable habitat.

Accessible India Campaign initiated by our Hon'ble Prime Minister of India on 03rd December 2015, being coordinated by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is a shot in arm for the objective of an inclusive India and CABE  Foundation fully supports it and has started contributing to the capacity building initiatives.

We welcome your thoughts and suggestions at info@cabefoundation.com.  Please do visit  & like our Facebook Page  and follow us on Twitter.