I work at Shram Shakti Bhawan, Patto-Panjim. Being disabled, I have to make use of a ramp to enter and exit the offices. The ramp, however, is constructed at the back of the building.
To access that ramp, I have to take a complete round of the building. Many vehicles – both, two and four wheelers – are being parked inside the Shram Shakti Bhawan’s compound, making it difficult for us to navigate and balance bikes modified with two extra wheels.
Furthermore, the garden tiles inside the compound have been dislodged at many places, thus making it even more difficult to access the ramp at the building’s rear. What’s even worse is that the parking spots reserved for Persons with Disabilities are put up at the front entrance gate, while the ramp that gives the same people access to the offices is constructed behind the building. This sort of engineering is shameful and inhuman. It certainly violates human rights because it puts through more difficulties those who already suffer from other difficulties.
It is against natural justice. Another problem is that there is no disabled-friendly toilet in the whole of Shram Shakti Bhawan. It is strange, surprising, and shameful that a building which houses more than seven government offices does not have such basic facilities for disabled people. Depriving Persons with Disabilities from accessing public places and government offices is an offence under the Persons with Disabilities Act.
I now pray for three things. Firstly that the disability ramp will be constructed at the entrance gate of the Shram Shakti Bhawan, and that the reserved parking for persons with disabilities will be constructed close to that ramp; secondly that Braille signs, voice signals, and wheelchair-friendly lifts will be installed or constructed and thirdly that disabled-friendly toilet facilities will be made available as soon as possible.
