Design guidelines in place for disabled-friendly buildings

Foundation laid for enhancing productivity of differently-abled:

Manjari PEIRIS

DESIGN GUIDELINES: The official launch of Sri Lankan Standards SLS ISO TR 9527:2006 providing design guidelines in building construction to suit the requirements of differently-abled persons, took place at the auditorium of the Ministry of Science and Technology, in Colombo, recently.

The need for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities was first officially recognised in 1996 through the publication of legislation for the protection of the rights of disabled persons with the enactment of the Disabilities Act No. 28 of 1996. However regulations under this Act were not made until October 2006.

In these regulations, provision was made to make it mandatory that all existing buildings, public places where common services are available etc. shall within a 3-year period be made accessible to persons with disabilities.

Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology A. N. R. Ameratunga, said all may become disabled one day, especially in childhood and in old age we have to depend on others. “Even in other phases of life, we may fall sick or meet with accidents and become disabled.

This new policy to be implemented when building public buildings will help to avoid the difficulties that disabled people come across and would enable them to lead their lives with dignity.”

Secretary General of Idiriya, Dr. Ajith C. S. Perera, a voluntary organisation campaigning for ‘Enabling Environments for All’ stated that this approach has become very important for two reason, viz. it is the foundation for a successful solution to reach against a problem ever increasing and with national importance.

According to the 17th page of Mahinda Chinthana, a very important issue that affects the productivity of the population (30%) of a country is a procedure to be followed when erecting buildings enabling accessibility for everyone.

The 16th page of Mahinda Chinthana also mentions creating ‘an honourable society’. Dr. Perera said, 30 per cent of the Sri Lankan population is affected with some sort of disability due to various reasons. “This number is ever increasing.”

He also stated that this approach can de defined as a very positive and effective approach taken by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, for the betterment of society. The year 2007 has already been declared ‘Year of Accessability’, towards making this concept a true and meaningful reality.

The design guidelines in building construction established by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution must be made an integral part of the development process, from the design stage itself.

Minister of Science and Technology Prof. Tissa Vitarana, said that according to this legislation we need to enforce this law within a period of 3 years by taking action to construct new public buildings to suit the requirements of disabled people and to modify the existing buildings according to these requirements.

Prof. Vitarana also said there should be attitudinal changes in our society. “Our sympathy towards disabled people will not make any difference to their lives. What we should do is to think of the kind of facilities that need and provide them with those to enable them to lead their lives independently. We should make a big difference in their lives by putting our words into action.”