Pavements are inaccessible, for especially the disabled
Uniform pavement design is sought. For both the visually impaired and the wheelchair bound, it is an impossible task to move around and get guided 'uninterrupted' and 'with logic and sense'. UTTIPEC guidelines are not followed universally because it is not mandatory to follow them. Isolated developments of facilities and mindless planning without incorporating disabled friendly design guidelines, if not principles create difficulties. Encroachments are also a problem. Universal Design is called for. Guidelines should be incorporated in the NBC (National Building Code) and PWD and CPWD manuals.----------------
"... has spent crores trying to make the city's pavements pedestrian-friendly, but mindless planning has made them inaccessible to all, especially the disabled. A large number of pavements have tactile guiding strips for the visually impaired. Unfortunately, they can't rely on them as chances are that they would hit a pole or a tree. These strips are mainly used for beautification.
Similarly, it is impossible for a wheelchair-bound person to use the pavements as they are not uniform. ..."
"... They should be low in height and wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. If infrastructure is disabled-friendly, it will automatically become pedestrian-friendly," ..."
"... the bigger problem is mindless planning. ..."
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UTTIPEC is Unified Traffic And Transportation Infrastructure. (Planning & Engineering) Centre.
NCPEDP is National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People.
Find this at http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Street-smart-Uniform-design-could-pave-way-for-easy-travel/articleshow/50018869.cms .
This is from Dec. 2015.
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