Thiruvananthapuram: The Union Government initiates an audit in the city to check whether the guidelines formulated by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities functioning under the Union Ministry of Social Justice as part of Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) is being adhered to. The Trivandrum International Airport (TIA) is the first institution in the city which has been selected by the Union Government for the auditing process.
The centre has already directed the authorities of Trivandrum International Airport(TIA) to conduct a detailed study on installing facilities for disabled persons. The study is said to be the first one of its kind being carried out in the country. The access audit will be conducted to study the hurdles that make travel difficult for the the disabled. In the survey, the access auditors will evaluate the airports based on different parameters, including width of doorways, ramps, tactile flooring, adaptation of toilets for wheel-chair users, braille symbols and auditory signals in elevators. It is said that an airport is considered accessible only if people with disabilities face no barrier in entry and are able to use all facilities, including boarding and alighting from the flights. “We have been directed by the Union Government to conduct a study on this. At present, we have ramp and lift facilities for the disabled and differently-abled persons at the International airport. However, Domestic terminal has some shortcomings. The lift for the disabled is yet to be constructed here.
We will make arrangements for that at the earliest,” said George G Tharakan, TIA, director. After the audit, the report will be sent to the Airports Authority of India. According to sources, the domestic terminals will be considered for the audit in the second phase.
28/07/16 K Krishnachand/New Indian Express
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The centre has already directed the authorities of Trivandrum International Airport(TIA) to conduct a detailed study on installing facilities for disabled persons. The study is said to be the first one of its kind being carried out in the country. The access audit will be conducted to study the hurdles that make travel difficult for the the disabled. In the survey, the access auditors will evaluate the airports based on different parameters, including width of doorways, ramps, tactile flooring, adaptation of toilets for wheel-chair users, braille symbols and auditory signals in elevators. It is said that an airport is considered accessible only if people with disabilities face no barrier in entry and are able to use all facilities, including boarding and alighting from the flights. “We have been directed by the Union Government to conduct a study on this. At present, we have ramp and lift facilities for the disabled and differently-abled persons at the International airport. However, Domestic terminal has some shortcomings. The lift for the disabled is yet to be constructed here.
We will make arrangements for that at the earliest,” said George G Tharakan, TIA, director. After the audit, the report will be sent to the Airports Authority of India. According to sources, the domestic terminals will be considered for the audit in the second phase.
28/07/16 K Krishnachand/New Indian Express
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