News

Volume 6 Issue 6 - September 01, 2009

Parliament building to become disabled friendly

D.N.I.S. News Network, India: Former Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment and present Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Meira Kumar has said that the Parliament building would soon become disabled friendly – something that disability rights activists have been demanding for a long time.

“I have given instructions to the Parliament Secretariat to make the house disabled-friendly and barrier free soon. I have also asked them to purchase things made by disabled people for use in the House,” Kumar said.

The disability sector has welcomed this step. However, a lot more needs to be done to ensure barrier free access in other heritage buildings as well.

It may be mentioned that the Central Government has drawn an action plan to provide a barrier free environment in all major public buildings in the country. Disabled friendly facilities like ramps, toilets, Braille signage, etc. will be provided in the Prime Minister’s Office by September this year. Other central government buildings like Nirman Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, Shastri Bhawan, Indira Gandhi Museum and National Archives of India will also have these facilities by the end of this year.