CHENNAI: Four differently-abled crusaders from Mumbai will be in Chennai on December 3, the World Disability Day, as part of Beyond Barriers, a project that will help make tourism for the differently-abled a better experience in the country. Sunitha Sancheti (40), Arvind Prabhoo (42), Nishant Khade (40)and Neenu Kewlani (41), a group that calls itself the 'Adventurous Four', will travel across 30 Indian states, visiting one important tourist location or monument at each state capital. “I am looking forward to visiting Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry when we come to Chennai,” says Neenu.At the end of their 90-day trip, they will hand over a complete report on how the tourist spots can be made more disable-friendly to the Prime Minister and the Tourism Ministry of India. “We will make access audits, analyse and observations at the locations and provide the government with a first-hand account of our experiences,” explains Neenu. Each of them will travel with attendants, wheel chairs and toilet chairs. The men will complete the entire trip by road, while the women will fly parts of it, considering the toll long-distance travelling might take on their health. “We are eating right and trying to take good care of our physical health,” says Arvind.The group, speaking on behalf of the 10 per cent of the differently-abled in the country, says that nobody has thought of making tourism more accessible to the differently-abled. According to them, the focus of NGOs and activists, who have been campaigning for the differently-abled, has mostly been on education and employment. “Like everyone else, we would also like to travel and take vacations,” says Neenu. Arvind, who is concerned about touring some of the North-Eastern states, says, “We have written to the Home Ministry requesting for security in those areas because there is always some sort of agitation going on.”“The most important thing is to sensitise people to the needs of the differently-abled,” says Sowmya Simhan, who runs the Sukriti Social Foundation in the city. “The issue of accessibility dominates our lives, be it visiting friends or even getting a haircut.” According to Sowmya, the need of the hour is for the city to become more disable-friendly in terms of availability of infrastructure in public spaces. Ramps, railing and accessible public toilets are additions that can make life a lot simpler for the differently-abled.Beyond Barriers is a daring initiative under the aegis of Vijay Merchant Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled. The group is looking for sponsorship for this trip, which they are planning to commence on September 28. For details, email [email protected].
Comments
0 comment