ACCESSIBLE

INDIA
CAMPAIGN

Priya: The
Accessibility
Warrior
E-Comic-cum-Activity
Book: An Introduction
to Accessibility

24 August 2021
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 Accessible India Campaign (AIC)

▪ Launched on 3rd December 2015, by Hon’ble Prime Minister.

▪ Based on the Social Model of Disability which says disability is caused by the way society is organized and not by the
person’s limitations of impairments.

▪ AIC envisages a barrier-free environment that aims an independent, self - reliant and dignified way of life for PwDs.

ACCESSIBILITY MANDATE AIC - tool to actualize

UNCRPD, 2007 AIC RPwD Act 2016
(Article 26, Chapter 9) launched on 3.12.2015 (Sections 40 – 46)

3 Pillars

Built Up Environment Transportation ICT Ecosystem

(Accessible Government (Accessible Airports, Railways (Accessible Websites,
Buildings) Stations, Carriers) TV programs, Communication)

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 Rights for Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
The Rights for Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act) mandates accessibility under Sections 40-46

Section 40
Formulation of rules laying down standards of accessibility in all 3 components in URBAN and RURAL
areas

Sections 41 to 43
Provide facilities for access to transport, ICT, universally designed consumer products

Section 44
Ensure mandatory observance of the Accessibility Law as per laid down Standards (Sec 40)

Sections 45 and 46
Time Limit for making existing infrastructure/services accessible – Buildings (5 years) and
Services (2 years)

Section 16 and 17 – provides for appropriate Government and the local authorities to ensure that all educational
institutions funded or recognised by them provide inclusive education to the children with disabilities, through non-
discrimination, creation of accessible campuses and facilities, development of resource centres, etc.

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 Coverage of Accessibility
Service and Light Industry, Play ground/ sports complex,
Special Industrial Zone, Parks & Gardens,
Hazardous, Noxious and Chemical
Manufacturing Residential Recreational
Commercial Special recreational zone – restricted or multi
(Retail zones & use open spaces
Assembly Hall, Cafeterias and Restaurants, General
Business)
Hotels, Hospitals and Health Facilities, Libraries, Others
Educational, Sports, Public Transit, Industrial and
Historical Buildings Consumer Buildings
Goods Government/ Semi-
Old built up (core) area Special
open to
Heritage & Conservation area public Government/ Public Offices
Areas
Scenic value area Accessibility (Government) Judicial Buildings
EDUCATION & RESEARCH,
Agriculture and Forest, Poultry & dairy Farms, Agricultural Medical & Health
Brick Kiln and and Water
extractive areas bodies Building Social, Cultural & Religious, Utilities
Rural Settlements, Water bodies open to & Services, Cremation & burial
public grounds
(Private)
Roads
Railways Transportation
and ICT Government and other public websites
Airports
Seaports and Dockyards
Communication Ecosystems Mobile Applications
Bus Depots & Freight complexes TV Viewing
Telecommunication devices

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‘Public Building’ Defined

“PUBLIC BUILDING” means a Government or private building, used or accessed by

the public at large, including a building used for educational or

vocational purposes, workplace, commercial activities, public utilities,
religious, cultural, leisure or recreational activities, medical or health services, law
enforcement agencies, reformatories or judicial foras, railway stations or platforms,
roadways bus stands or terminus, airports or waterways.

- Section 2(w), RPwD Act, 2016

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Diverse Sectors working towards Accessibility

Housing and
Law and Justice Education
Urban Affairs

Drinking Water
Railways Home Affairs
and Sanitation

Road Transport
Civil Aviation Sports
and Highways

Tourism and Information

Health Technology and
Culture Broadcasting

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Endeavours made in the School Education Sector

Provision of Accessibility in Educational Infrastructure - For the existing Schools

under the administration of DoSEL, to ensure barrier free access for Children with
Disabilities in government and government aided schools, 8,33,703 out of
11,68,292 (71%) schools have been made barrier free with the provision of ramps
and handrails.

Course Content for Students with Special Needs/Disabilities - Content on

accessibility has been integrated by NCERT in Classes 1 to 12 and B.Ed syllabi and by
some State Boards. Under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan being implemented for in-
service training of teachers, and training for special educators, etc.

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Endeavours made in the Education Sector

Standards/Guidelines of Accessibility - Standards/ Guidelines for School Education and Higher

Education under preparation in consultation with the Office of the Chief Commissioner of Persons
with Disabilities. Holistic Standards/Guidelines to include:
Physical environments Processes Associated Services
• Classrooms • Enrolment of Children • Transportation and transfer of
• Corridors with Special Needs CWSNs
• Washroom • Appointment of specially • Information documentation and
• Drinking water points trained teachers accessible information
• Staircases • Development of dissemination through
• Ramps accessible syllabus course websites/uploaded documents,
• Library, content and pedagogy e.g- scholarship applications, etc.
• Stage as well as Green for inclusive education • Medical assistance
Rooms • Affiliation criteria to • Disbursal of books/uniforms
• Assembly Halls include accessibility. • Canteens or mid day meals
• Playgrounds • Learning tools and • Sign Language Interpretation
• Laboratories devices
• Hostel, etc.
• Signage.

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Sugamya Bharat App
In order to convert the Campaign into a mass movement and for Jan-Bhagidhari the Hon’ble Prime
Minister himself directed that a Crowdsourcing App be developed so that Divyangjan can raise issues of
inaccessibility being faced by them anywhere in India.

The main beneficiaries include - Divyangjan, the Elderly, Pregnant Women, Children, Temporary Disabled
owing to illness, surgery, etc.

The App launched on 2nd March 2021, is useable by ‘Anyone-Anywhere-Anytime’ to raise issues
related to accessibility across all 3 verticals of the Campaign.

USER-FRIENDLY FEATURES: ACCESSIBLE FEATURES:

• Easy registration • Text to speech
• Accessible dropdown menus • Font size adjustment
• Options for 10 languages • Colour contrasting options
• Geotagging of photographs and location • Compatibility with Android
• Demonstration videos in Hindi and English and IoS accessibility modes.
• Pop-up feature for descriptions/information
• Complainant kept informed of status through alerts

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ACCESS – The Photo Digest Series

Status of Work
1st Edition – Public Centric Buildings

2nd Edition – Airports

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 Basic Features of Accessibility
Features Specifications
OUTDOOR FEATURES
Accessible Route/ 900mm - 1800mm, anti-skid surface, tactile path, signage (directional and informational), well lit, unobstructed pathway.
Pathway
Accessible Parking 5000mm X 3600mm, within 30m of entrance, transfer bay, connected to accessible route, vertical and on floor signage.
Accessible Entrance 900 - 1800mm width, ramp with gradient 1:12 and double height handrail with proper grips rounded at the edges, anti-skid flooring, colour
to the Building contrast, main door to be provided with minimum width of 1000 mm, signage prominently displayed.
INDOOR FEATURES

Accessible Corridor 1500mm to 1800mm clear width, anti-skid surface, tactile path, well-lit, unobstructed by chairs/plants, doors should not open on to
corridors.
Accessible Low height counter (750-800mm) with 750-900mm width and leg space of 800mm height and 480 mm depth below the counter,
Reception information of accessible features, alternative media for communication - induction loop, braille, audio, etc.
Accessible Lifts/ 900 mm wide door with warning tiles at the entrance, 1500mm X 1500mm lift car size, braille buttons, auditory information and digital
Elevator display, grab bars on three sides, alarm button, mirror on rear wall.
2000mm X 2200mm size, grab-bars around all sanitary fittings easy to be used by left and right handed users, 900mm door (double swing
Accessible Toilet or outside opening), anti-skid floor, emergency button, latches (also middle, base), easy to operate handles and lever type taps with long
neck, no chaukhat.
Accessible Colour contrasting strips on the horizontal surface of the steps, double height rounded handrails (38mm to 45mm diameter) with proper
Staircase grips rounded at the edges, warning tactile tiles at beginning and end, 50mm gap between wall and handrail for proper grip.
Accessible Drinking Low height counter (750-800mm), leg space below counter (300mm), ramps, no open drains/ holes below the water points, double height
Water Facility fountain type taps that are easy to operate.
Directional and informational, high contrast, easy to understand, prominent locations, unobstructed, standardized and in alternative
Signage formats such as in braille, through audio output, tactile maps/boards, regional languages, etc, material of the signage should be anti-glare
or preferably of matte finish, of durable quality.

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Accessible Route Accessible Route

Wide access, continuous guiding

tactile path up to entrance

Only differently coloured tiles used to create

pathway but actual tactile tiles, guiding or
warning not used, pathway ends abruptly

• Minimum width for pathway should be 1500mm (5ft) for one wheelchair • Path obstructed by landscaping, manholes, potted plants, parking etc.
and 1800mm (6ft) for two wheelchairs to cross simultaneously.
• Tactile path provided is not continuous or not designed appropriately.
• Obstacles, projections or other protrusions should be avoided.
• Warning and guiding tiles not provided or wrongly placed.
• The route connecting the entire building should be well lit and
provided with high contrast tactile floor guidance path, connecting all • Provision for lighting the pathway not considered.
public utilities, entrances and exits. • Pathway/Route created for wheelchair movement is narrow, less than
• Informational and directional signage to be provided. 1500mm (5ft).
Accessible Parking Accessible Parking

Narrow parking at non conspicuous,

Wide space, floor marking and location not designed as per
common transfer bay connected standards, and without any accessible
to access route route

• Parking must have minimum dimensions of 5000 mm×3600 mm. • No reserved parking provided for PwDs and if provided, not located
(16.5ftX12ft) located nearest to an accessible entrance or lift lobby within
near the entrance.
30m (100ft).
• Signage not as per standard – Missing ground marking, vertical
• A transfer bay 1200mm (4ft) wide is required for transfer of wheelchair post not provided, signage provided is not prominent.
users, which must be connected to the accessible route.
• No transfer bay provided for alighting and boarding of wheelchair
• Accessible parking lot should be identifiable by the International Symbol users or not connected to an unobstructed accessible route.
of Accessibility, marked on ground and provided on a sign post.
Accessible Entrance Accessible Entrance

Gentle slope starting with warning tiles,

double height rounded handrails Slippery steep ramp without any
warning tiles or handrails,
obstructed

• Minimum 1200mm (4ft) wide unobstructed ramped entrance/approach • No ramp provided and if provided, designed very steep, narrow or
of gradient 1:12, with stairs and minimum 1000mm (3.3ft) wide door. slippery.
• Ramp must have continuous rounded double height handrails • Handrails not provided or not as per standard design
(760mm(2.5ft) and 900mm(3ft)) on both sides; may also be provided
with Braille indicators marking start and end of ramp, on the • Ramp not accentuated with warning tiles, braille indicators or
handrails. signage.

• Warning tiles at start and end, non-slippery flooring, landing and • Ramp obstructed by landscaping, protruding objects, parking etc.
signage is mandatory.
Accessible Reception Accessible Reception

Low height counter with some

leg space, for easy access by Narrow counter provided without leg space for
wheelchair users wheelchair users, signage not prominent and not in
easily recognizable format

• Reception or information desks made accessible by providing low

(counter top at 800mm (2.75ft) or double height counter with prominent • No accessible reception/ counter provided or created inside small
signage. Minimum unobstructed space of 900mmX1200mm (3ftX4ft) room.
before counter, leg space of 800mm (2.75ft) height below counter and • Leg space not provided below the counter or counter top too deep.
maximum counter depth upto 480mm(1.6ft).
• Information on accessible features not available or limited information
• Alternative media for communication - induction loop, braille, audio
available.
etc.
• Information of accessible facilities in building to be made available. • Information not available in alternative formats.
• Staff to be sensitized. • Ssignage not displayed prominently.
Accessible Corridors Accessible Corridors

Tactile path not appropriately

Continuous tactile path as designed; obstructed and non
well as double height railings continuous

• Clear width of 1500mm to 1800mm (5ft to 6ft) to be maintained • Clear unobstructed width of 1500mm to 1800mm (5ft to 6ft) not
throughout with anti skid flooring and well contrasted tactile path. maintained.
• Illumination level should be maintained at 150 lux; no glare but well • Anti skid flooring or tactile path not provided. Flooring not well
lit. contrasted.
• Should be supported by directional and informational signage. • Not kept free of obstacles like - plantation, seating arrangements etc.
• Double height rounded handrail to be kept continuous as much as • Dimly lit and or dark corridor/spaces.
possible. • Tactile guiding tiles not fixed in the direction of movement.
• Room doors should not open outside on to the corridors.
Accessible Elevators Accessible Elevators

Spacious but collapsible gate door makes it

inaccessible, no mirror or grab bars

Narrow lift without audio information

system, braille buttons or rear mirror

Rear view mirror, Waring tiles,

buttons at approachable height

• Minimum internal car size should be 1500mmX1500mm (5ftX5ft),

possibly 13 passenger capacity lift with grab bars at 900mm(3ft) • Lift size is not adequate (even for single wheelchair) or door is not
height. Minimum door width to be maintained as 900 mm (3ft). wide enough.
• Mandatory accessible accessories such as Braille buttons, auditory • Accessible accessories, grab bars, braille buttons, auditory systems,
announcement systems and digital display, alarm button, emergency mirror, alarm button not provided or placed at inaccessible reach or
brake, rear mirror and other operating mechanisms (control panels) to vision range.
be provided at an accessible height of 650mm (2.15ft) to 800mm
(2.3ft). • Warning tactile tiles not (or wrongly) provided in front of the lift door
opening.
• Signage and warning tactile tiles must be provided outside the lifts.
Accessible Staircases Accessible Staircases

Colour contrasting strips and double height

rounded handrails provided on both sides

No colour contrasting strips provided, handrails

not as per standards, warning tiles not provided

• Staircase with regular steps of tread (width) 250mm (9ft) and rise • Irregular or higher or narrow steps provided.
(height) 150mm (4.5ft) with colour contrasting strips (glow in the dark, • Colour contrasting strips are not provided or placed on the vertical
retroreflective kinds) on the flat edge. surface, thus not visible, or wrong design and colour and non –
• The stair lobby must be well lit. reflective.
• Warning tiles or Braille indicators on handrails to mark start and end. • Many a times edges are left sharp or broken.
• The staircase has to be provided with continuous rounded double • Handrails not designed as per standard or not provided on both sides
height handrails (760mm (2.5ft) & 900mm (3ft)) on both sides. The or placed too close to the wall leaving no space for proper grip.
diameter of handrail to be 38-45mm and a gap of 50mm to be kept • Warning tiles not provided.
from the wall.
Accessible Toilets • Minimum toilet dimension should be 2000mm X 2200mm
sufficient for wheelchair manoeuvrability.
(6.5ft X 7.3ft),

• Floor Finish - Toilet to be provided with well contrasted, anti skid flooring,
with proper drainage and no threshold (choukhat).

• Toilet door must be of minimum 900mm (3ft) wide. Latches to be placed at

top, middle and bottom, with an easy-use mechanism which may be
operated by foot also. The door handles must be of D-type or lever type,
instead of knobs.

• Accessories/Fittings -

Foldable handrails for both right • Taps to be provided with sufficiently long necks and easy to use lever
and left hand use, alarm button type operating mechanism

• WC top height should be at 450mm to 480mm (approx. 1.5ft)

• Washbasin top height must be 750mm to 800mm (approx. 2.5ft)

• Grab bars/ door handles/ all fittings/ accessories/ operable items

placed at approachable height of 300mm to 1000mm (1ft to 3.3ft)
from the floor and be easy to operate (Long/lever handles of taps)

• Enough grab bars which must have adequate strength to bear weight
upto 250 Kgs.

• Emergency buttons at 300mm (1ft) from the floor (preferably on 3

walls)

• Mirror may be placed at an angle for convenience of wheelchair users.

• The toilet must be well lit.

Accessible Toilets • Toilet dimension is not sufficient for wheelchair manoeuvrability.

• Approach to the toilet door if provided by means of a ramp, is often kept

narrow, slippery and too steep without a proper landing.

• Entry at door not levelled or provided with chaukhat.

• Door design makes operating the wheelchair difficult or the door

opening is too narrow for a wheelchair.

• Grab bars not provided, and if provided, not as per standard design/
strength.

• Latches difficult to use.

• Handles are knob types which are difficult to use.

• Lever type taps with long necks not provided.

No grab bars provided, floor kept
slippery, signage is wrong • No emergency buttons and if provided not functional.

• The toilet is not well lit and ventilated.

• Anti-skid flooring not provided.

• Cleanliness/leakages inside toilet making it slippery and hence

dangerous especially for persons with disabilities.
Chaukhat an
obstruction
Accessible Drinking Water Accessible Drinking Water
Facility Facility

Narrow passage further obstructed by

Double height water fountain with
mat, tap difficult to operate, no leg room
ample leg room for wheelchair users

• Drinking water facility area should have clear space of 900mm X

• Conventional water coolers placed on platforms, kept inside cage or
1200mm (3ftX4ft) in front of the fountain for a wheelchair, kept dry, anti
placed at end of narrow passages without any leg room or turning
skid and well drained by means of covered drainage.
space. Slippery surfaces to be avoided.
• Basin must have double heights (700mm (2.3ft) to 900 mm(3ft)) with • Taps neither provided at two levels nor with fountain or lever type
leg space of 300mm(1ft) to 680mm(2.1ft) below the counter. design making it difficult to be used.
• The taps must be lever or fountain type with easy to use operating • Open drains, jaali over drains or chaukhat not to be provided as it
systems and long neck for maximum reach to wheelchair user. Foot causes hindrance to movement of wheelchair users and persons with
operability may be provided. visual impairment with or without canes.
Signage Signage

Colour contrast not appropriate for all disability types.

placement on main wall could have given better visibility.
Well contrasted with the
background, information in text,
graphic and braille format

• Signage to follow standard design, be well contrasted with background

and have simple layout while being eye-catching.
• Positioning to be planned considering the requirements of the visually • Signage design is not standardized and different themes are used all
impaired. Must also be prominently located and well lit so that it is around a premise. Often size not maintained making it unreadable.
visible even from a distance. • Signage visibility either obstructed or affected due to distance.
• Alternative formats – Information should be given not just in text but as • Not well lit and material used is highly reflective causing glare and
pictograms, symbols, infographics and, through alternative media such difficulty in reading.
as braille, audio, digital display, tactile maps and models etc. • Colour contrast is not provided as per standard, hence does not serve
• Lighting, material and finish to enhance visibility and ease of viewing. the purpose.
E-Comic and Activity Book – ‘Priya – The Accessibility Warrior’

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E-Comic and Activity Book – Learning Through Fun Activities

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About the E-Comic and Activity Book
• Objective is to ingrain the significance of accessibility in children right from their formative
years and to provide the desired push towards ensuring accessibility across the education sector.
• The E-Book is made in an interactive and fully accessible format to explain the complex concept
of accessibility in a simple to understand and attractive manner.
• Features of Accessibility provided include the following:
Audio Descriptions: Each
scene of each frame on a
Indian Sign Language
page as well as the
Video: Click on the sign to
navigation controls (next
access Indian Sign Language
page, previous page, etc.) is
video describing the scenes
described through
dramatized voice overs
which could be accessed by
just clicking on the play
buttons on the page.
QR Code based output: To
be scanned using mobile Trigger for the Comic
devices for quick access to
the ISL Video and Audio Trigger for the
Activities
Description of scenes

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Happy Learning About Accessibility and
Making India Universally Accessible
Thank you, Accessibility warriors.