July 12, 2019
The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation is gearing up to make all
government buildings in the district accessible and disabled-friendly. They
have already completed works for some of the buildings and disability rights
groups in the city are glad that their efforts have finally been paid
off.
By the end of 2019, Coimbatore promises to present a very different face to
residents and visitors. In collaboration with the government of Tamil Nadu,
the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation is working to make
all buildings accessible by the end of this year
The Regional Transport Office (RTO) was the first to undergo
a transformation and at present, the Commercial Tax Office and District
Collectorate are undergoing changes.
This is largely the outcome of efforts by disability rights activist
J Swarnalatha, who has been working closely with government
officials to make this a reality.
We had already submitted a petition to the corporation asking all the
government buildings to be made accessible. After repeated requests and
follow ups, they have decided to take action. The Municipal Corporation
buildings and Collectorate have already installed wheelchair ramps. They
have promised to make all buildings accessible and that is great. When the
Accessible India Campaign was launched, the government had allotted funds
and a timeframe to complete it. Unfortunately, nothing has been done till
date. – J Swarnalatha, Founder, Swarga Foundation.
The Municipal Corporation has allotted funds of ₹1.79 crore for the old
building of the Collectorate whereas the renovation works will amount to at
least ₹3 crore. ₹2.72 has been allotted for the Commercial Tax Office.
Disability rights groups are asking for more than just ramps. They want
facilities for people with visual and orthopaedic disabilities as well.
Officials have promised Braille signage, accessible washrooms and tactile
floorings.
Disabled people in the city are cheering this initiative that will finally
take their needs into consideration.
“It is great to know that they have initiated steps to make spaces
accessible and disabled friendly”, says Prince Durairaj, a
para volleyball player from Coimbatore. “When we would talk to officials
about this matter, they would just pass the buck. Toilets in most government
buildings have been made disabled-friendly as well. Hopefully, this is going
to be a good start for a positive change”
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