Access to All Sensitization Program: Promoting Inclusion for Individuals with Disabilities and Special Needs

1. ACCESS TO ALL SENSITIZATION PROGRAM

2. People with Disabilities Individuals with temporary fractures, injuries etc. Pregnant women WHO WILL BENEFIT? In case of emergency situations Elderly individuals

3. MODELS OF DISABILITY

4. 3 A’s FRAMEWORK OF DISABILITY ATTITUDES ACCESSIBILITY AFFORDABILITY

5. “Maintain dialogue at an adult to adult level. Be considerate but never patronize them.” • “Interact with them directly and not with those accompanying them.” Attitudes

6. Never lean over the wheelchair or set your drinks over the desktop attached to the wheelchair. • Never push or touch the wheelchair without due permission. It may also harm the user or detach parts of the wheelchair. • Ensure all the ramps and accessible doorways in the premises are unlocked and unblocked. Waste baskets and storage boxes should never be placed on the ramp or on the ramp entry. • The service counters in the premises should have appropriate height for a wheelchair user to self-access the facilities. If not, the service provider should step around the counter to do the needful. Attitudes FOR PEOPLE WITH LOCOMOTOR DISABILITIES

7. Give a detailed tour of your facility and duly notify them in case of any infrastructural changes or changes in the interiors. Give specific, non-visual information while describing the setting to them. Forewarn them of any obstacles (Ex. Direction of the staircase, crack along the side of walls, revolving doors, etc.). • Never take their arm without asking for permission to guide them or help for support/balance. • Do not encroach in their personal space by touching their cane. One should never touch their cane without asking for permission. • While serving water/food, make sure to inform them about the exact position of the plate/glass using clock orientation. (12’o clock is farthest for an individual with visual impairment and 6’o clock is the nearest) Attitudes FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW VISION/BLINDNESS/COLOUR BLINDNESS

8. It is advisable to use a qualified sign language interpreter, wherever necessary. Make eye contact with person with hearing impairment instead of the translator. • You may draw their attention by either extending your arm, waving your hand, taping lightly on their shoulder or flicking the light depending on the situation. • In case of mild hearing loss,do not shout to make yourself heard. Individuals with mild hearing loss often use hearing aids and shouting would distort the words. Attitudes FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF/HARD OF HEARING

9. Ramps,Footpath, Handrails, Tactile Surfaces, Steps and stairs Accessibility • Circulation Areas, Parking, Urinals/Toilets/Washbasins • ACCESSIBILITY • Public Telephones, • Signage, Public Dealing Counters

10. SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER • If an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing arrives to seek help, the following organizations can be contacted to send a sign language interpreter ( from within the area) – • Indian Sign Language Research and Training Center (ISLRTC) – Government recognized and associated body under DEPwD. • Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI) • Indian Sign Language Interpreters Association (ISLIA) • For more details, you can contact us.

11. SIGNAGE • Includes direction and information signs, signs naming the building, signs of locality, street names and room numbering, maps etc. • Visible, clear (easy to see and understand), concise (simple, short and to the point) and consistent (signs meaning the same thing should always appear in the same manner), non-shiny and properly lit at night. • Supplemented with a pictogram which benefits everyone, including those who are hard of hearing. • Large, easy to read font with good colour contrast. • Clear signs at drop-off zones and parking areas – to direct people to specific areas across the event site. • Indicate the accessibility features located along the path of travel and event areas. • Signs at different heights can also help assist people moving through crowds, and help them to see when they are at specific locations. • Accessible Plates and facilities should be clearly recognized by the International Symbol of Accessibility.

12. Dimensions • EXTERNAL: Should be mounted 2000mm (78.7”) above the floor level, to be easily distinguishable from 2-3 meters (6.6’-9.8’) distance. The smallest letter type should not be less than 15mm (0.6”). • INTERNAL: Should be mounted on the wall, between 1400mm (55.1”) and 1800mm (70.87”) from the floor level. • The individual characters between 15mm- 50mm (0.6”- 2”) tall from a distance of 2-50 meters respectively, raised by 1-1.5mm (0.04”-0.06”), bold & colour contrasted with their background and also in Braille.

13. PUBLIC DEAL COUNTERS • The public counter should not be more than 800mm (31.5”) from the floor, with a minimum clear knee space of 750mm (29.52”) high and 480mm (18.89”) deep. Food and drink offered from mobile trailers can also install a low folding shelf. • Lighting should be positioned to illuminate the receptionist and the desk top without creating a glare. • Lighting should not create shadows over the receptionist staff, obscuring facial detail and making lip reading difficult. • Reception area acoustics should be carefully planned and controlled as a and disorienting to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, high level of background noise is confusing impairment • Staff manning the counter should know sign language or provide them with pen and paper so they can communicate on their own.

14. KERB RAMPS • Useful for a smooth transition, specifically at pedestrian crossings and in the vicinity of building entrances. • Width should be not less than 900mm (35.43”). • Footpath should be dropped, to be flushed with roadway, at a gradient no greater than 1:10 on both sides of necessary and convenient crossing points. • Warning Strip to be provided on the kerb side edge of the slope, so that persons with vision impairment do not accidentally walk onto the road.

15. FOOTPATHS • Must be easy to follow, obstruction free for the convenience of all users • Surface should be smooth and level, continuous, firm, non-slip and even. • Height of the footpath should not be more than 150mm (5.9”) from the road level. • Consistency in heights and continuity of footpaths should be maintained. • Every change in level on the footpath (a step, curbs or road works) should be more clearly visible through the use of bright contrasting colours. • Width of the footpath should not be less than 1800mm (70.9”) and minimum clear unobstructed path should be 1200mm (47.2”). • Benches/furniture should be placed outside the path of travel, preferably along a continuous line and should be easy to detect. • Protruding elements should be avoided. • The entire walking footpath should preferably have tactile tiles.

16. PARKING • Parking should be within 30 meters (98.4’) of the main entrance of the building. • Two accessible parking lots with overall minimum dimension 3600mm x 5000mm (141.7” x 196.9”) should be provided. • It should have the international symbol of accessibility painted on the ground and also on the signpost/ board. • There need to be directional signs guiding people to the accessible parking space. • Wheel stoppers to be provided, to avoid vehicles to occupy space on the pedestrian pathway.

17. RAMPS • Gentle Slope: 1:12 max • Landing: every 750mm (29.5”) of vertical rise. • Width: 1200mm (47.24”) or more • Handrails to be on both sides and at the two levels- 760mm (29.9”) and 900mm (35.4”). Both ends to be rounded or grouted and extend 300mm (11.8”) beyond top and bottom of ramp. • Surfaces (ramp + landing) should be slip resistant. • A ramp should be accompanied by a flight of easy-going steps. • Warning strip should be placed at 300mm (11.8”) before and after ramp edges.

18. STEPS AND STAIRS • Uniform step: 150mm (5.9”) and Tread: 300(11.8”) • Stair edges should have 50mm (2”) wide, bright/contrast colour band. • The maximum height of a flight between landings to be 1200mm (47.2”) • Landing should be 1200mm (47.2”) deep, clear of any door swing. • The steps should have an unobstructed width of at least 1200mm (47.2”) • Have continuous handrails on both sides including the wall (if any) and at two levels – 760mm (29.9”) and 900mm (35.4”) • Warning Strip to be placed: 300mm (11.8’’) at the beginning and at the end of all stairs. • Nosing should be avoided.

19. TACTILE SURFACES Ground surface of a different texture allowing for guiding /warning tactile signal for persons with vision impairment. • Line –type blocks indicate the correct path/route to follow. • Dot –type blocks indicate warning signals, to screen off obstacles, drop offs or other hazards, to discourage movement in an incorrect direction and to warn of a corner or junction. Should be placed 300mm (11.8”) at the beginning and end of the ramps, stairs, and entrance to any door.

20. HANDRAILS • Handrails should be circular in section. • Diameter of 38mm (1.5”) , at least 50mm (2”) clear of the surface to which they are attached • At two levels- 760mm (29.9”) and 900mm( 11.8”) from the finished floor • Extend by at least 300mm (11.8”) beyond the head and foot of the flight and ramp, in the line of travel and grouted or in the wall.

21. CIRCULATION AREAS • Corridors should have an unobstructed width of 1800mm (70.9”) and to well lit. • Level differences should be bevelled. • Thresholds and gratings should not be more than 10mm (0.4”) • Protruding objects (more than 100mm (3.9”) from the wall) to be placed either in a niche or above 2100mm (82.7”) from the floor. • Open spaces below ramps, escalators and stairs should be blocked out completely by protective guard rails, raised curbs or marked with a tactile surface.

22. DOORS • Should provide a clear opening of 900mm (35.4”) • Be fitted with lever action locks and D shape handles of circular section, between 800mm (31.5”) and 1000mm (39.4”) from floor level. • Also, it should be fitted with vision panels at least between 850mm (33.5”) and 1100mm (43.3”) from floor level. • Be colour contrasted with the surrounding walls and should not be heavier than 20N to open. • A distance of 400mm (15.7”) to 600mm (23.6”) should be provided beyond the leading edge of the door to enable a wheelchair user to manoeuvre and to each the handle. • Kick plates are recommended 300mm (11.8”) from the bottom, to resist wear and tear.

23. ACCESSIBLE TOILETS • A minimum of one toilet compartment should have enough floor space for wheelchair users to enter and exit. • Minimum clear floor space of 2000mm x 1750mm (78.7” x 68.9”) is required and ideally it should be 2200mm x 2000mm (86.6” x 78.7”). • Provide a door of clear opening of at least 900mm (35.4”) with door swing outwards or to be a folding or sliding door. • Should have slip resistant flooring. • Door should have a horizontal pull bar at least 600mm (23.6”) long inside and 140mm (5.5”) long on the outside, at height of 1000mm (39.37”).

24. WASHBASINS: • The washbasin should be of dimensions 520mm (20.5”) and 410mm (16.1”), so mounted that the top edge is between 700mm- 800mm (27.6”- 31.5”) from the floor. It should have a knee space of at least 760mm (29.9”) wide by 200mm (7.9”) deep, by 650mm- 680mm (25.6”-26.8”) high. • Lever type handles for taps are recommended. • Mirror’s bottom edge to be 1000mm (39.4”) from the floor and the mirror maybe inclined at an angle. • All toilets must have pictograms (male in triangle and female in circle), marked on plates along with Braille & raised alphabets, put on wall next to door at 1400mm-1600mm (55.1”-62.9”). • A distinct audio sound (beeper/clapper) may be installed above the entrance door for identification of toilets.

25. URINALS • At least one of the urinals should have grab bars, installed on each side and in the front to support ambulant persons with disabilities (for example bi-lateral crutch users). • The front bar is to provide chest support, the side bars are for the user to hold while standing. Urinals shall be stall- type or wall hung, with an elongated rim at a height maximum of 430mm (16.9”) above the finish floor. • A clear floor space 760mm (29.9”) by 1220mm (48.03”) should be provided in front of urinals to allow forward approach. • Urinal shield (that do not extend beyond the front edge of the urinal rim) may be provided with 735mm (28.9”) clearance between them.

26. WATER CLOSETS: • An unobstructed space 900mm (35.4”) wide should be provided from the edge of the WC to the washbasin/ wall, to facilitate side transfer together with a clear space of 1200mm (47.2”) in front of the WC. • WC centreline to be located between 460mm (18.1”) to 480mm (18.9”) from the adjacent wall. • The top of the WC to be 450mm (17.7”) to 480mm (18.9”) from the floor. • Have a back support. • Grab bars should be provided. On the transfer side U- shape movable type and on the wall side L shaped grab bar is preferred. • Toilet partitions can be re arranged to increase manoeuvring space for PwD’s. • The toilet seat must also be raised to enhance accessibility of the toilet. • A full-length mirror can be installed in the bathroom. • The paper towel and soap dispenser along and the hand dryer should be re positioned according to the needs of PwD’s.

27. PUBLIC TELEPHONES • Maximum height of the highest part of a telephone: 1200mm (47.2”). • Maximum height of telephone: 800mm – 1200mm (31.5”-47.24”) • Knee space for wheelchair user: 650mm-680mm (25.6”-26.8”) • Minimum floor/ground space: 1200mm*900mm(47.2”*35.4”) • Guiding path should be provided to guide persons with low vision to public telephones.

28. LIFT AREAS • Floor: Minimum space for wheelchair users: 1500mm*1500mm (59.1”*59.1”) • Door: 900mm (35.4”) wide and closing mechanism to be adjusted to give adequate entry time. • Control Panel: Inside the lift to be on both sides • Call button and Control Panel: At reach of 900mm-1200mm (35.4”-47.2”) at least 450mm (17.7”) from any corner. • Key plans, orientation signs and push buttons in the lift should have text in braille and raised letters. • Audio and Visual indicators, review mirror, and kick plates should be fitted.

29. EMERGENCY EVACUATION • Audible fire alarms to be supplemented by flashing lights to alert persons with hearing impairment. Clear, well illuminated signage indicating escape routes is essential. • Fire Refuge Area at the landing of a fire escape staircase, quipped with two-way communication gadgets with clear signage, flashing bulbs and audio signals should be provided to facilitate emergency evacuation. • Stretchers or evacuation chairs should be readily available to assist people with disabilities in case of emergencies or disasters.

30. Affordability • PwD’s may incur extra costs which may be direct, indirect or opportunity costs: • Direct costs of treatment (inclusive of travel and access) • Indirect costs to caretakers (not directly affected) • Opportunity costs due to income lost from incapacity. • “Mandatory Accessibility No Objection Certificates (NOC) for commercial enterprises above an agreed size.”

31. THANKYOU For more information : Email: nipunmalhotra@nipmanfoundation.com