Author- Peter Gibson
Imagine navigating the vibrant tapestry of India, from bustling government offices to ancient temples, from modern schools to charming heritage sites. Sounds enchanting, doesn’t it? But for many people with disabilities, this enchanting landscape can morph into a Bollywood tragedy filled with impassable steps, narrow doorways, and missing handrails.
The Gatekeepers of Exclusion:
It’s not just shopkeepers who guard the gates of accessibility. Blame it on a collective amnesia, but building owners across the board – be it schools, hospitals, even government offices – often view ramps and elevators with the same suspicion they reserve for unsolicited political speeches. “Disabled people in my building? Unthinkable!” they scoff, brandishing their ignorance like a peacock feather at a wedding.
The “Jugaad” of Accessibility:
Their attempts at accessibility, bless their cotton socks, are about as helpful as a chai in a power cut. Ramps steeper than a mountain goat’s path, handrails doubling as monkey bars for toddlers, and toilets so low they require spelunking skills – these are the “gifts” bestowed by well-meaning but clueless architects who’ve mistaken accessibility for a particularly perilous game of kabaddi.
The Regulatory Jungle:
And then there’s the regulatory maze, where building codes are about as clear as a Bollywood love triangle after intermission. Different ministries squabble over standards like langurs over a basket of mangoes, while inspectors, bless their bureaucratic brains, wouldn’t recognize a tactile path if it tripped them flat on their faces in a bustling marketplace.
The Spice of Inclusivity:
So, what’s the chutney to this accessibility papad? Education, my dears, education! We need to remind these gatekeepers that disabled people are not mythological creatures from ancient folktales, but actual humans with wallets full of rupees and a thirst for knowledge. We are the untapped market, the El Dorado of rickshaw parking spaces and extra-wide doors. Show them the green, and watch those ramps sprout like neem trees after a monsoon!
Building Bridges, Not Barricades:
To the architects, I say this: hire us! We’ll show you how to build a world that doesn’t resemble a Mughal maze. We’ll weave accessibility into the very fabric of your structures, making them not just usable, but downright delightful for everyone. Remember, folks, the world is our masala dosa to savor. Let’s not waste our energy on bitterness, but channel it into building bridges, not barricades.
A Brighter Future:
And who knows, maybe one day, just maybe, a ramp will be as commonplace as a chai stall, and a low-rise toilet won’t be seen as a radical act of rebellion. Until then, keep tapping, keep rolling, keep reminding the world that accessibility isn’t a luxury, it’s the essential spice in the recipe of life. Now, pass me the jalebi, I’ve got a step to conquer!
Follow the HGSS!