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| Monday, 2 August 2004 |
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Wheels move to make the 'disable' equally-able by Dr. Ajith C. S. Perera It is encouraging news that action initiated voluntarily by a handful of business organisations here are giving rise to, "user-friendly, barrier-free business environments along with the desired facilities and services." The prevailing destructive attitudes among fellow citizens towards this issue of "freedom of access" and false beliefs concerning the 'disable' in particular, the root causes in retarding any real progress, have, at last, been broken. These significant achievements in the fields of banking, hotel industry, travel and education, are a major breakthrough in this country towards making the 'disabled' equally able. "Attitudes and choices you make Today Build the house we live in tomorrow." The key decision makers of each of these organisations (whom I have highlighted with deep gratitude), I can assure, you, understand well and appreciate truly these facts, hidden and unknown until recently.
One could argue that this is the era of e-Banking, e-Commerce an e-Learning and so why the need to go outdoors? True a versatile tool is there but what good is that if it's far beyond your reach? On one side they are hit by the denial of opportunities for gainful employment and then on the other side by the telephone bills increasing at an alarming rate, not offering any worthwhile concessions even to professionals trapped in this grave social problem. Although the telephone is an essential utility in our daily living, it has now become a luxury to this sector of the population. Furthermore, SLT is still struggling to deliver its promised expansion of the ADSL facilities. Hence, how many can really afford the Internet or gain regular physical access to places that offer this facility, to use these tools in essential daily-living activities? Banking sector Commercial Bank opened its newest branch at Reid Avenue on July 14th last. For more than 20% of our population, it marked a historic occasion. It provides "Wheelchair-Friendly" barrier-free environments, not only with a very well-designed ramp but also with appropriate toilet and other special facilities for the physically and visually impaired citizens. Thanks to the vision of its MD Amitha Gooneratne and Ravi Dias, DGM Personal Banking, an enthusiastic team led by M. A. Premasiri, the Chief Engineer/AGM Services, made this dream become a reality. The set-up designed and provided here certainly makes one feel that "you are still a TRULY wanted person and also an "Equally Able" like all others. It is also encouraging to learn of their plans to open soon another branch in a highly residential area, affording improved facilities and care to this sector of the population and its families. Educational sector Education today, more than ever before, must see clearly the dual objectives: "Education for living and Educating for making a living," with emphasis now on 'employable skills.' But even our internationally reputed educational institutes of the State (Example: University of Colombo) and (even) in the private sector, denies "Freedom of Access" to their built-environments. No sooner one experiences a limitation to physical movements, even if he/she then decides to come on a wheelchair to overcome that setback, it deprives them the opportunities for learning. However, it is encouraging to note that facilities for learning are now afforded at the Colombo University, to an increased number of twelve visually impaired persons. There's a ray of hope that these 'road blocks' may disappear with all "buildings coming up hereafter" at the Colombo University. This assurance was given by the Chancellor himself the Archbishop, Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, on April 24th this year. Thanks to the great vision of Professor V. K. Samaranayake, the Computer Centre at the Colombo University offers barrier-free, wheelchair-friendly environments. Auditorium and toilet facilities meeting all the vital needs, are nearing completion at the International Nautical and Engineering College in Malabe. The spirit with which its Managing Director Captain Asitha Wijesekera has acted on this matter, is highly commendable. Plans have also been finalised to make its restaurant and also the path leading to that, wheelchair-friendly. Travel trade We still are a good hundred years behind to see the availability of the required parking bays and mobile breakdown services to enable the use of power-driven cars with hand-controls by those with restricted physical mobility. It may continue to remain a dream to see wheelchair users being provided opportunities to travel by buses and trains. Nevertheless, necessities often arise, at times with no prior notice, even for those with restrictions on mobility and vision just like all others, to travel outdoors, may be even at an odd hour at night. When left with limited functional powers, getting into vans and jeeps often pose a threat and hardship. Hence an appropriate car to travel in comfort and safety, with seats at same hight as your wheelchair for easy transferring, becomes the obvious best choice. "Kangaroo Cabs" under the leadership of Sunil Fonseka and his son Thushara Fonseka, with much foresight, offer a satisfactory solution to this grave problem with no added cost. They now have increased the fleet of Wagon-type cars to sixteen, capable of accommodating even an unfoldable type wheelchair at the rear. Personal attention given by Claude Fernando, Senior Manager, Administration makes certain requests made by the 'disabled' priority concerns 24 hours of the day and services offered and care given by the staff and chauffeurs coming under his care, are substantial. Hotel industry The quality of services provided and the essential facilities made available, are paramount for survival and growth of the tourism industry. Attracting wheelchair-using tourists here is very big lucrative business, yet untapped. For example, the annual spending capacity of the British travellers using wheelchairs was reported last year to be more than 500 billion Sterling Pounds. But tragically, we have neither the basic facilities nor plans for that. A large number of wheelchair-using supporters from the UK planning to visit us during the English cricket tour here last November, turned bitterly disappointed in coming to know that they are "not yet welcomed in Sri Lanka" (unless carers were to accompany them, which means double the costs and loss of privacy). Let's explore the reasons for that. A survey on facilities offered for wheelchair-using clients by all the reputed hotels in an around Colombo, was voluntarily undertaken last year at my own expense. It revealed an unbelievable status here. "Not a single hotel has even the essential-most basic facilities, the most crucial aspects being for washing, bathing and toileting." Although two hotels at first claimed providing these facilities, when shown the critical shortcomings in them, admitted and accepted their inappropriate quality. As part of groups of hotels with high international reputation, wheelchair-using travellers from overseas in particular, expect these hotels to offer the same basic essential facilities and equal high class caring even in Sri Lanka. "Caring attitudes" towards the 'disabled' are an essential part in this hospitality industry. But this they lack and thereby the country too earns a black mark. General Manager Praveen Nair and the very supportive Executive Director Zubin Dubash must be highly commended for the action already initiated to arrest these critical shortcomings at their Hotel, Taj Samudra. I found Valentine Daniel the Chief Engineer, a truly interested person who has a thorough understanding of what exactly needs to be done, how and above all, when. "Comes September", confirms Mr. Daniel, "ramps at two identified locations and essential toilet facilities, one in the main hotel and the other at the 'Golden Pond' will be there. "Phase two commencing thereafter", they confirm, "will extend these essential facilities for two to three rooms as well." Places of worship It's a fact that very many of us remember the existence of a religion only when hit by adversity. True, it is the time the mind needs comfort and solace more. However, almost all our places of worship, be it a temple, a church, a kovil or a mosque, despite having affluent people looking after their day-to-day management, posses physical barriers to very many of the senior citizens and all wheelchair users. Perhaps, Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya Temple premises, is the only location where the 'Access Barrier" has been broken, due to the personal efforts and the generosity of Preethi Kolonne, for whom we remain ever grateful. |
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Produced by Lake House |
"Disability" is no more regarded by them as a condition some
people have "within themselves". 'Disability' is now seen and
accepted by them as a state to which, people are dragged by our own
'structural and attitudinal barriers' in our living environments. It
happens in a society when it disregards, ignores and disrespects the
physical and sensory (and intellectual) limitations that are thrust
suddenly upon its members, due to (a). Accidents (alarmingly increasing).
(b). Debilitating Illnesses (on the rise) and/or (c). Ageing (inevitable).
The enormous continuing support and encouragement given periodically by
the print media, especially the Daily News in campaigning for this
worthwhile cause, richly deserves a big thank you. It's a pity that hardly
any inputs on this crucial issue, are yet to come from the electronic
media, particularly from the three State-owned and six private sector TV
stations. Equal abilities and equal competence many of the 'disabled'
still possess, require equality of recognition without any discrimination
by all TV channels, in providing opportunities and chances periodically.
It's the "chance not charity", we ask from them. That would then
give the momentum and wider exposure to achieve greater result, through
creation of proper awareness and also projection of a positive image about
the issues concerning the 'disabled'.
