PUKAR office is now Accessible to 'All'

PUKAR office is now Accessible to 'All'

- Anand Vaidya

Accessibility is a general term used to describe the degree to which a product, device, service, or environment is available to as many people as possible. Accessibility can be viewed as the "ability to access" and possible benefit of some system or entity. Accessibility is often used to focus on people with disabilities or special needs and their right of access to entities.

Most existing and new housing, even in the wealthiest nations, lack basic accessibility features unless the designated, immediate occupant of a home currently has a disability. However, there are some initiatives to change typical residential practices so that new homes incorporate basic access features such as zero-step entries and door widths adequate for wheelchairs to pass through. There are seven basic requirements for any multifamily/commercial building, they are as follows :

1) An accessible building entrance on an accessible route,
2) Accessible common and public use areas,
3) Doors usable by a person in a wheelchair,
4) Accessible route into and through the dwelling unit,
5) Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats and other environmental controls in accessible locations,
6) Reinforced walls in bathrooms for later installation of grab bars, and
7) Usable kitchens and bathrooms.  (Source : Wikipedia)

Similar thing happened to my team members. We were facing lot of problems whenever we wanted to get in or come out of PUKAR office for workshops/meetings/open house. As the entrance had 3 steps on the outer side and absolutely no steps inside. So for my team members who use wheelchair, 3 or 4 people required to lift their wheelchair up and then get them inside the office. Which was very problematic for the wheelchair user himself and also for people who were helping him. So we politely requested Rajendra/Sunil/Bharat on 1 or 2 occasions to make the entrance more accessible for us.

this is the entrance of PUKAR office, not
accessible to persons using wheelchair

On 24th October...I & Manisha, who uses wheelchair, came for the workshop at PUKAR office. And as we headed towards the entrance, we could not believe our eyes. It was a very pleasant surprise for both of us. We just kept staring at the entrance. There was a wooden ramp at the entrance, on both sides. I took Manisha inside the office & I did not require any help. Both of us were very happy. We just couldn't stop saying thanks to PUKAR.

wooden ramp instead of 3 steps, now easily
accessible to persons using wheelchair

First PUKAR gave my team an opportunity to learn something new. Now they have ensured that my team faces no obstacles or difficulties in learning those things. Sincere thanks to PUKAR from my whole team. And we also specially thank Rajendra Jadhav, Sunil Gangavane & Bharat Gangurde without them this would not have been possible as they took all the initiative & ensured that the office entrance is accessible to 'all'.

Whether the PUKAR office is totally accessible or not is another issue. What is more important that PUKAR took the first step to make their office entrance accessible to all.

" I am delighted that PUKAR's Youth Fellowship Team took your suggestion seriously and ensured an easy access to you. Inclusivity means doing ALL THIS!
It is PUKAR's privilege to be able to work with youth like your group whose determinations and  resolute attitudes are much to learn from for each of us. We are thnkful that you joined ur endeavor and you will illuminate it by your research. " - Dr Anita Patil-Deshmukh (Executive Director-PUKAR)

" खरे तर RAMP ची ही गरज फार पूर्वीच आमच्या लक्षात यायला हवी होती, ती तुम्ही आमच्या निदर्शनास आणून दिली, THANK YOU SO MUCH ...
सर्व समावेशकता, सर्वांना समाज संधी आणि मागे राहिलेल्यांना विशेष संधी हे पुकार च्या महत्वाच्या VALUES आहेत. आणि अशा संधी उपलब्द करून देणे हे प्रक्रियेतील FACILITATOR म्हणून आम्ही आमचे कर्तव्य समजतो. " - Rajendra Jadhav (Project Director-PUKAR Youth Research Fellowship)