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Access Audit Report Directorate of
Information & Public Relations Aizawl, Mizoram
Submitted under:
Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign)
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Government of India
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ACCESS AUDIT REPORT
THE DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS
TREASURY SQUARE, AIZAWL, MIZORAM – 796001
Submitted under:
Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign under Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities,
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India)
Prepared By:
Centre For Rehabilitation and Training For Multiple Disability
Birubari, Guwahati - 781016, Assam. Phone : 0361-2470990/2478912, Mobile : +91-9207049810
Email : [email protected]
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Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan)
Accessible India Campaign is a nationwide flagship campaign of the Department of
Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment, Government of India, for achieving universal accessibility for persons
with disabilities and to create an enabling and barrier free environment, with a focus on
three verticals of built-environment accessibility, transportation system accessibility and
information and communication eco-system accessibility.
The task involved under the initiative, include identification of important public
buildings in 48 selected cities across India, conducting access audits and retro-fittings of
ramps, lifts, toilets, and signage in the buildings; making 75 important railway stations
and all international airports fully accessible and ensuring that at least 50% of all web
sites and public documents of the central and the state governments meet accessibility
standards. Specific timelines have been set all the above goals.
Aizawl, the capital city of the state of Mizoram is one of the selected cities, wherein 33
government / public buildings have been identified for conducting access audits and
retro-fittings to ensure barrier free environment.
Shishu Sarothi, a not-for-profit organization working in the field of disability for the
past around 30 years is an empanelled Access Auditor under the said initiative, and
participated in the Invitation for Bid process and was duly awarded the Work Order
bearing No. F.No.4-14/2015-A/C dated 19.03.2016 for conducting access audit of 33
buildings in Aizawl city.
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Accessibility in the built-environment Page 4
1.2 The Legal Framework Page 4
2. Access Audit
2.1 Purpose of Access Audit Page 5
2.2 Standards Page 5
2.3 Premises where Access-Audit was conducted Page 5
2.4 Access Audit Team Page 6
3. Access Audit Report
3.1 External Environment
3.1.1. Parking Lot Page 7
3.1.2. Alighting Page 8
3.1.3. Accessible Route Page 8
3.2 Internal Environment
3.2.1. Accessible Entrance Page 9
3.2.2. Reception & Lobby Page 10
3.2.3. Stairs Page 12
3.2.4. Ramps Page 13
3.2.5. Handrails Page 13
3.2.6. Elevators / Lifts Page 14
3.2.7. Escalators / Passenger conveyors Page 15
3.2.8. Corridors Page 15
3.2.9. Doors and doorways Page 16
3.2.10. Accessible Toilets Page 19
3.2.11. Cafeteria Page 22
3.2.12. Drinking water facilities Page 23
3.2.13. Control and operating mechanisms Page 24
3.2.14. Signages Page 26
3.2.15. Emergency Evacuation Page 28
3.2.16. Common building elements Page 29
3.3 Information, communication and services Page 30
4. Conclusion Page 31
5. Appendix Page i - lxiv
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1. Introduction:
1.1. Accessibility in the built-environment:
Environmental access is a set of norms and standards designed to provide safe and
independent use of varied environments such as transportation, roads, buildings and
communication by persons with disabilities. Universal design is a commitment for
designing products and environments for the broadest population possible, especially
for the people who have not been considered as part of the general population.
1.2. The Legal Framework
The importance of promoting greater access as an
effective approach to reversing exclusion and
enhancing the equalization of opportunities in a
sustainable way has been the mandate of the United
Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (UNCRPD), approved by the General
Assembly in December 2006, ratified by India on
October 1, 2014 and which entered into force in
May, 2008.
The Convention also mandates that all Governments
shall take measures for implementation of minimum
standards and guidelines for accessibility of facilities
and services open to the public; to ensure that private
entitles that offer facilities / services open to the
public comply with all aspects of accessibility for
persons with disabilities; train stakeholders on
accessibility issues; provide Braille signage and live
assistance, professional sign language interpreters to
facilitate accessibility to buildings and other facilities
open to the public.
Further, Goal No. 3 of the Incheon Strategy, which
provides the Asian and Pacific Region and the world
the first set of regionally agreed distinct inclusive
development goals, mentions that access to the physical environment, public
transportation, knowledge, information and communication is a precondition for
persons with disabilities to fulfill their rights in an inclusive society.
Sections 44, 45 and 46 of The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities,
Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, categorically provides for non-
discrimination in transport, on the roads and in built environments.
Article 9 of the UNCRPD on
“Accessibility” stipulates that
persons with disabilities are
to be enabled to live
independently and
participate fully in all aspects
of life. The Article casts an
obligation on all signatory
governments to “….take
appropriate measures to
ensure to persons with
disabilities access, on an
equal basis with others, to the
physical environment, to
transportation, to
information and
communication, including
information and
communications technologies
and systems, and to other
facilities and services open or
provided to the public, both in
urban and in rural areas…..”
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2. Access Audit:
2.1. Purpose of an access audit
The purpose of an access audit is to assess how a particular building or environment
performs in terms of access and ease of use by a wide range of actual and potential
users, including person with disabilities and to recommend access improvements. The
aim of the access audit and its follow-up are to:
Identify the extent of the problem of access to public buildings and recommend
changes / additions to make the environment accessible
To create awareness of the importance of the concept of barrier-free
environments for persons with disabilities
To enforce the inclusion of accessibility for persons with disabilities in the
official agenda of government and private agencies.
The report includes observations, measurements, sketches and photographs covering all
parts of the public building audited including the external and internal environment as
well as the services provided in the building.
2.2. Standards:
The accessibility standards and parameters adhered to in the instant access audit are as
per the revised guidelines (2014) of the Central Public Works Department Manual,
Handbook on Barrier-Free and Accessibility (URL: http://cpwd.gov.in). For some
points not specifically covered by the said Handbook, reference has been taken from the
Harmonized Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment of
the Ministry of Urban Development Government of India.
2.3. Premises where Access-Audit was conducted:
The Information & Public Relations Department (I & PR) is the nodal agency of the
Government of Mizoram for disseminating information on various activities of the
Government to the people through the media and providing feedback to the
Government on important matters reflected in the media. Being also the authoritative
and official publicity agency of the Government of Mizoram, the Department plays a
pivotal role in the promotion of schemes and policies that lead to a greater and better
understanding between the Government and the people. It also works as communication
medium between the Government and Media and plays a vital role in taking the welfare
schemes to the people.
The Department, functioning with PR wing, Photo wing and Technical wing for the
media operation, is charged with multifarious duties of creating awareness among the
people about the nation, the state, its history, diversity, heritage, traditions, its
development in various fields and its problems. It disseminates information about the
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Government, its activities, policies and programmes and also solicits and motivates the
public to participate in the national endeavour for the integrated development of the
state. It also gives feedback to the Government about its activities. All these involve
public relations work such as multi-media publicity campaign, coordination with
various departments, the press, AIR, Doordarshan and Local Cable TV operators.
The Directorate of Information & Public Relations is housed in two buildings,
adjacent to each other, and has about 30 employees. There is one disabled staff working
in the department. While the old building mainly has the office establishment, the new
building has the Office of the Director, the Conference Hall and the Auditorium besides
other office rooms.
2.4. Access Audit Team:
Access Audit Team Name Designation
Access Auditor Ms Amvalika Senapati Coordinator, Disability Law Unit,
Shishu Sarothi
Architect Mr. Devadeep Gupta Alternate Architect & Installation Artist, Guwahati
Persons with Disability K. Lalhmingsanga Treasurer, Mizoram Blind Society
Accompanying Official from the Directorate of Information & Public Relations:
Ms. Lallianpuii, Deputy Director, Contact: +91-9436158348
Date of Access Audit : April 28, 2016 (Thursday)
3. Access Audit Report:
This report gives a narrative outline of existing facilities, lays down the areas of concern with
pictorial illustrations of the existing infrastructure. The report comes with an annexure which
is a compilation of recommendations with technical details along with photographs and
suggestions.
The Audit is structured into three parts, viz, the external environment, internal environment
and information, communication and services.
3.1. External environment
The external environment includes the following:
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3.1.1. Parking lot:
There is limited parking for the Office, which is just next to a small vehicular road. There
is parking available in stilt area of the new building (Fig. 2) and parking for 3 vehicles
right in front of the old building entrance (Fig. 3).
There is no reserve accessible parking bay for persons with disabilities.
(a)
(b)
Fig. 1: Road leading to the I & PR building as shown in (b)
Fig. 2: Stilt parking in new building Fig. 3: Parking in front of old building
Recommendations:
One of the available parking spaces, nearest to the building entrance(s), can be
identified and converted into a parking bay for people with disability.
Parking bay for people with disability has to be constructed adjacent to the access
route to the two buildings.
The parking bay and the adjacent access route has to be laid with tactile floor
guidance tiles and a leveled pathway minimally 1200 mm wide, laid with anti-skid
tiles and built as per CPWD guidelines, for independent navigation for persons
with disabilities. 1200 mm wide pathway, however, is not possible to connect the
old building as access is through the road itself.
Proper lighting along with accessible directional signage as per CPWD guidelines
should be constructed at the parking bay and adjacent areas, as far as possible.
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3.1.2. Alighting:
Right now there is no designated space for alighting of people with disabilities. But after
the parking bay for people with disabilities has been identified and transformed, alighting
point has to be designed next to it, with required signposts, step free access and tactile
guidance.
Recommendations:
Alighting point has to be constructed next to the parking bay.
Alighting point should be leveled and cleared out of traffic lane.
Proper sign-posts and signage to be installed along with tactile guiding path including
directional, hazard warning and positional tiles directing to the entrance.
There should be a step free route leading from the alighting point to the main entrance
of the buildings, out of the line of vehicular traffic.
3.1.3. Accessible Route:
There is no demarcated access route for the building(s).
A route from the main vehicular road, around 3000 mm wide, leads to the building. It is
not a premise road and has plenty of small shops and parking of two wheelers on the side
of the route (Fig. 1).
The road opens to the stilt parking area of the new building. After an offset of 3 meters in
the parking, a 2000 mm staircase leads to the first floor.
The surface of the pathway is concrete cement, firm and non-slip.
The area has adequate artificial light after sunset hours.
There are no directional, hazard warning and positional tiles provided for independent
navigation across all the chief functions at the building(s).
There is also no accessible directional signage directing to the entrance(s).
Recommendations:
There is not much scope to designate a proper accessible route.
Nevertheless, where possible (new building), the access route should connect the
parking, alighting point with the entrance.
The accessible path should be ideally 1200mm wide (in this case, due to lack of space,
it can be 700 mm - 800 mm), firm, non-slip, preferably covered, free of any barriers or
obstacles and should be constructed away from vehicular traffic route in the premises.
The route should have guiding path including directional, hazard warning and
positional files provided for independent navigation across all the chief functions at the
building.
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There should be kerb ramps in case there are any level changes between the traffic lane
and the accessible path.
There should be accessible directional signage directing to the accessible entrance.
3.2. Internal environment
The internal environment includes the following:
3.2.1. Accessible Entrance:
The new building has two steps from the road leading up to at the entrance landing and
then a collapsible gate 4000 mm wide (Fig. 4).
As far as the old building is concerned, the entrance door is wide, but there are a lot of
level differences with steps (Fig. 5) and also a 100 mm high threshold on the doorway.
The entrances are not accessible for persons with disabilities.
The entrances have adequate landing of 1500 mm x 1500 mm.
The entrances are well illuminated.
There is no difference in floor finish at the door entrance easily identifiable by blind users
for the new building but difference is seen in the old building.
There is no accessible identification signage at either of the entrances to identify the
same.
The entrances have no audio signal.
(a)
(b)
Fig. 4: Entrance to new building
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(a)
(b)
Fig. 5: Entrance to old building
Recommendations:
As far as the new building is concerned, there is no space to suggest a ramp to make
the entrance accessible.
The old building entrance needs a ramp sloping down from near the road [Fig. 5(a)] to
make it accessible for persons with disabilities (Refer to section 3.2.4. on Ramps).
Said ramp should replace the existing steps at the entrance.
There should be clear difference in floor finish at the entrance (new building) easily
identifiable by blind users.
There should be accessible identification signage at the entrance to identify the
entrance.
Entrance should have an audio signal.
3.2.2. Reception and lobby:
There is no reception counter for the new building. The entrance is manned by security
personnel who guide visitors to respective offices / facilities in the building. Also the
entrance has signage [Fig. 4(b)] indicating the various building facilities / offices / units –
but the same are not accessible.
There is a reception counter in the old building easily identifiable from the entrance.
However, it does not open at the desired height from the floor level and there is no clear
recess under it.
The counter does not have clear colour contrast from the background wall and floors.
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The counter top is adequately illuminated, it has non-reflective surface and there is 900
mm wide and 1200 mm deep clear space in front of the counter.
There is no accessible identification signage for the reception counter.
There is also no accessible directional signage directing to various building facilities /
offices / units at the reception.
There is no loop induction system available in the counter.
Also there is no sign language interpreter for the Office.
There is live assistance available at the counter to guide persons to their destination.
Adequate seating arrangement is provided in the entrance / lobby area.
Fig. 6: Reception counter and lobby in old building
Recommendations:
A part of the reception counter should be between 760mm to 800mm from the floor
with a 400mm to 600mm clear recess under the counter.
The counter should have clear colour contrast from the background wall and floor and
should be well illuminated.
All relevant information to be made available in alternate accessible formats.
There should be accessible identification signage for the reception counter.
There should be accessible directional signage directing to various building facilities /
offices / units at the reception.
Loop induction system should be made available in the counter.
It is recommended that there should be at least one sign language interpreter, on call,
for the Office.
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3.2.3. Stairs:
The two buildings have staircase flights with uniform risers and treads of 150 mm and
300 mm respectively.
The stairs leading down to the basement in the old building start from an opening in the
corridor, with a sudden fall [Fig. 8(b)] and there is not much scope of rectifying the
same due to lack of space.
Most stairs have handrails on one side {except [Fig 8(a)]}, at one height, and there is
the supporting wall on the other side. Handrails project beyond the end of the flight and
are grouted without sharp edges.
There are no colour contrast strips
at the edge of the steps and no
tactile warning provided at the
beginning and end of the stairs.
Also, the stair surface is cement
mosaic, which can be slippery
and glary.
There is adequate illumination on
the stairs in the new building but
not in the old one.
The stairs are continuous without
any abrupt breaks and gaps.
Fig. 7: Staircase in new building
(a)
(b)
Fig. 8: Staircase in old building
The under stairs area is properly cordoned off.
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Recommendations:
Handrails should be fitted in all stairs on both sides, as per specifications.
There should be tactile warning provided at the beginning and end of the stairs and
also colour contrast strips at the edge of the steps.
Especially, for the stairs leading down to the basement in the old building, there
should be adequate tactile warning blocks at the beginning.
Floor surface of the stairs should be upgraded. It should also be non-slippery and
non-glary.
Stairs in old building should be well illuminated.
3.2.4. Ramp:
There is no ramp in the building.
Ramp should be constructed at the entrance of the old building as already mentioned
under 3.2.1 Accessible Entrance [Fig. 5(a)].
Ramp cannot be suggested in the entrance of the new building due to lack of space.
Also, ramps are required to connect all other floors of the buildings with the
respective ground floors. However, due to the proximity of the buildings to the
vehicular road as well as acute lack of space on adjacent sides as well, there is no
scope to suggest construction of ramps to connect other floors.
Recommendations:
Ramp is recommended to connect the main entrance of old building for step-free
access.
The ramp should have a gradient not steeper than 1:12, with a minimum ideal
width of 1800 mm. However, in this case, there is space for a ramp of around
1300 mm width [Fig. 5(a)].
Handrails should be provided on both sides of the ramp.
There should be tactile warning blocks installed 300 mm from the top, bottom
and landings of the ramp run in external environment.
The floor surface should be non-slippery and non-glary.
3.2.5. Handrails:
There are handrails on one side of the staircase flights.
There are no handrails in the corridors.
Handrails are provided at a single height of 780 mm and 900 mm from the floor level
of the staircases in the new and old building respectively.
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(a) New building
(b) Old building
Fig. 9: Handrails
In the new building, the wooden handrails are well maintained and have contrast in
colour from the background wall and the floor. Handrails are circular, non-slippery,
have an uninterrupted grip and the ends of the handrails are grouted and without sharp
edges.
In the old building, the handrails are not well maintained, they do not have contrast in
colour from the background wall and the floor. Handrails are circular and non-
slippery. The opening of the stairs to the basement [Fig. 8(b)] do not have handrails
and there is no scope to install handrails there.
Recommendations:
Handrails should be provided on both sides of the stairs at two heights of 900mm
and 760mm.
There should be adequate hand clearance of 50 mm between the wall and the
handrails.
Handrails should have clear contrast in colour from the background wall and the
floor and should be well maintained.
3.2.6. Elevators / Lifts:
There is no lift / elevator in the premises, either old or new.
Though there is a need for elevator in the buildings (especially in the new one, which
has the Auditorium and Conference Hall) to address the issue of vertical accessibility,
none can be proposed due to acute lack of space and without a lot of internal
dismantling of rooms / corridors to allow for lift shaft and lift lobby.
Recommendations:
As the stairs are wide, installation of Stair lift is an option that should be explored
to allow access to different floors. (Refer to Appendix).
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3.2.7. Escalators / Passenger conveyors:
There are no Escalators/Passenger Conveyors present in the premises and none are also
needed. In any case, escalators / passenger conveyors are not considered as accessible for
disabled people and, hence, not recommended.
3.2.8. Corridors:
The corridors in the buildings have minimal required width.
The corridors in the buildings are well maintained but there are protruding objects or
barriers, like furniture, in a few corridors in the new building.
There is 1500 mm x 1500 mm space to allow a wheelchair user to turn around at some
point in the corridors.
Fig. 10: Corridors in the new building
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Fig. 11: Corridors in the old building
Corridors in new building have reflective tiles and the same does reflect a fair amount of
light, which might be disturbing for people with low vision. Some corridor floors in old
building also has glare.
Most corridors are well illuminated.
No handrails are provided on either side of the corridors in either building.
There is colour contrast between the corridor walls and floors.
Recommendations:
Handrails should be provided on both sides of the corridors.
Floor finish should be non-slippery and non-reflective.
All corridors should be well illuminated.
Corridors should be kept clear and not be obstructed with furniture etc.
3.2.9. Doors & doorways:
The doors in the buildings generally meet the desired minimum width of 900 mm, with a
few exceptions of a few offices and almost all toilets, which have narrower doors.
The doors, mostly have latches and are easy to open and do not take too much energy.
The buildings have a combination of single- and double-hinged, one-way swing, doors.
There is contrast in colour between doors, door frames, door furniture and background
walls in some instances and not seen in others.
Many doors do not have thresholds. In a few instances, there are thresholds higher than
the acceptable 12 mm height.
Many doors open in the corridor in the old building. This is not the case in the new
building.
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All toilet doors do not open outwards as per specifications.
If there are two doors in a series, there is at least 1500mm deep space between the two
doors. Approach to some doors, especially in the ground floor of the new building with
the stilt parking, are obstructed with parked vehicles [Fig. 12(d)].
Kick plates have not been provided on the doors.
Automatic doors are not provided at the building entrances.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Fig. 12: Doors and doorways in new building
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Fig. 13: Doors and doorways in old building
Recommendations:
Where required, door widths should be increased to 900 mm width.
Where not already opening outwards, toilet doors should be corrected to open
outwards.
Lever type handle should be used with a horizontal bar 800mm from the floor and a
vertical bar in the opening side with its lower edge at 800mm from the floor.
The colour of the door frame should have clear contrast in colour with the door,
background wall and door furniture as well.
Where unavoidable, thresholds should not be more than 12 mm high.
Kick plates can be provided in the most accessed doors like the toilet doors.
Automatic doors would not be practical for these building entrances and, as such, as
not recommended.
Doors to be provided with guardrails where it opens into a route of travel.
There should be clear approach to different offices in the ground floor of the new
building, unobstructed by parked vehicles.
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3.2.10. Accessible toilets:
There are toilets for public use in the upper floors of the new building, where the
Conference Hall / Auditorium are present. For other floors, every office unit has its staff
toilet, not accessible to the public.
(a) Partition seen before the toilet entrance at the end of the corridor
(b) Entrance to toilet cubicles behind the partition
(c)
(d)
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(e)
(f)
There is no accessible toilet for persons with
disabilities in either building.
The toilet block is roughly 2700 mm x 1500 mm
with two cubicles.
The existing toilet does not comply with standard
specifications in terms of WC style, washbasin and
other toilet fittings and accessories, placements,
colour contrast and so on.
Also there is a lot of level difference in many
cubicles [Fig. 14(c)].
The floor-surface of the toilets is not slippery.
(g)
Fig. 14: Different toilet cubicles in the new building
The old building has toilets at one end of the corridor for use by everyone.
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Fig. 15: Toilet cubicles in the old building
The toilets in the old building also do not comply with standard specifications in terms of
WC style, washbasin and other toilet fittings and accessories, placements, colour contrast
and so on. The floor-surface of the toilets are not slippery.
Recommendations:
In the new building, there should be at least one accessible toilet in every floor which
are most accessed by the public.
There should be at least one accessible toilet in the ground floor of the old building.
The dimensions of the existing toilets are too small to convert the same into
accessible toilets. As such, two toilets have to be combined to make way for
accessible toilets with necessary specifications.
Level differences, where present in toilet cubicles, should be removed for step free
access.
All toilet doors must be outward opening, double hinged or sliding door.
The WC should be installed in a corner with centerline of the WC at a distance of
450mm to 500mm from the adjacent wall. The front edge of WC should project
750mm of/from the rear wall.
Indian style WC should not be used and WC should be provided with a backrest.
The seat height of the WCC should be 450mm.
Lever type flush control is to be installed at a height of 1100mm from the floor
surface, or on the transfer side of the WC. The force required to flush should be
comfortable.
There should be 800mm of clear transfer space next to the WC.
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A horizontal grab bar is to be installed on the adjacent wall, at a height of 200mm
from the WC seat.
A fold up grab bar is to be installed at a centerline distance of 320m-200mm from
the WC seat.
There should be colour contrast between the floor, wall and sanitary fittings.
There should be an alarm system within easy reach to alert persons outside, in case
of emergency.
Visual alarm must be there to alert people with hearing disability in case of
emergency.
The door should be able to be locked from inside but also released from outside
in case of emergency.
The accessible toilet should not be kept locked or used as a janitor’s room.
The toilet should be kept clean and well-maintained.
Mirrors should be placed at accessible heights.
All toilet accessories, soap dispensers, coat hooks should be at accessible reach.
In addition to the accessible toilets, the other toilet for public use should also follow
standardization of placement of utilities like
- Basin taps to be placed at the centre of the basin.
- Soap dispensers must be either at the immediate right or left side of the basin.
- Water jets on the right or left side of the WC.
- Flush must be either immediately behind the seat or at the centre.
- WC water tap must be either at the right or left of the WC.
3.2.11. Cafeteria:
There is a very basic canteen in the basement of the new building.
There is a practise of serving food in the respective desks in the office.
The tables in the canteen are at recommended heights, however, benches obstruct clear approach to the tables.
Mostly, plastic cutlery is used in the canteen.
Fig. 16: Canteen in new building
Recommendations:
The agreed practise of serving food in the respective desks in the office should be
continued.
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There should be a mix of different kinds of cutlery and glassware to allow ease-of-use
for people, based on their needs. (For instance, some people may be unable to use
disposable cups and cutlery and some may find use of very heavy glasses and cutlery
difficult).
Staff should be trained to assist persons with disabilities, as and when the need arise.
3.2.12. Drinking Water facilities:
There is drinking water facility in both the floors of the old building. Both are not placed
at an accessible height, and the one in the basement is placed as high as 1550 mm from
the floor level.
Drinking water facility is available for the public in the second and the third floors of the
new building. Both are placed at inaccessible heights.
There are push-type taps and also no adequate facilities for drinking glasses have been
made.
There are no signages to indicate the presence of the drinking water facilities.
The area around the drinking water facilities are kept clean and dry.
Fig. 17: Drinking water facilities in the new building
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Fig. 18: Drinking water facility in the old building
Recommendations:
It is recommended that drinking water facility should be provided for every floor and
the same should be accessible for persons with disabilities also (Refer to Appendix).
The tap should be lever type and easily operable.
Drinking glasses should be made available and kept at an accessible height not higher
than 1200 mm.
Proper signage should indicate the presence of the drinking water facility.
3.2.13. Control and operating mechanisms:
There are no vending machines in the office buildings.
The switches or controls are not placed consistently and placed at different heights
throughout both the buildings, with some placed as high as 1450 mm.
There is clear floor space with dimensions of 900 mm x 1200 mm adjacent to the controls
/ switches in most cases.
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Fig. 19: Some switches in the new building
No touch panels have been installed
for operating controls or switches.
Little pressure is required to operate
the switches or controls.
Switches or controls do not have
colour contrast from the surrounding
face plate panel and the background
walls.
Fig. 20: Switch in the old building
Recommendations:
The operable part of controls such as vending machines, electrical switches, wall
sockets should be:
- Located adjacent to the clear floor space with dimensions of at least 900mm x
1200mm;
- Located at the height of between 400mm and 1200mm, measured from the floor,
with the exception of vending machines where the upper limit is relax able to
1300 mm;
- Electrical sockets must not be placed at a height lower than 400mm from the
floor.
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- Controls should be placed at not less than 400mm from room corners.
All controls should be colour-contrasted, with the surrounding face plate panel and
the face plate contrasting with the background wall on which they are mounted.
Information on controls and switches should be in relief (embossed letters/symbols
accompanied with Braille information) for tactile reading.
3.2.14. Signages:
There are prominent visible signage present in front of different offices / units,
Conference Hall, Auditorium etc, however, the same are not consistent, in terms of size,
colour, placement etc.
The entrance of the new building has
signage [Fig. 4(b)] indicating the
various building facilities / offices /
units - but the same are not accessible.
Also, there are no accessible signages
in alternate formats like Braille / audio
signs and so on.
There is adequate illumination of visual
signage.
There is no international symbol of
accessibility used anywhere in the
building.
Fig. 21: Some signages in the new building
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Fig. 22: Some signages in the old building
Recommendations:
There should be prominent visible signage using the international symbol of
accessibility, identifying accessible entrance and exit, reception counter etc.
Signages for presence of toilets for persons with disabilities and availability of other
facilities in the building should be conspicuously placed in the building.
Signage size should comply with not less than 60mm for doors, 110 mm for corridors
and 200mm for external use.
All visual signage in the facility should be provided with Braille and Tactile
supplements.
Where ever possible, audio signage should be provided along with Braille and Tactile
signage.
All Braille and tactile signage should be placed between the height of 900mm and
1500mm, with ideal location at 1050 mm above the finished floor level.
If Braille and tactile signs are provided at a door, the same should be located alongside
the door at the latch side.
Where tactile signs are provided at double doors with one active leaf, the tactile signs
should be on the inactive leaf.
Where tactile signs are provided at double doors with two active leafs, the tactile signs
should be located at the right hand side of the door.
Braille specifications in all signages should follow the handbook specifications.
Braille and Tactile floor plans should ideally be provided, where they are available
for use of public, especially near the entrance of the building / near reception or
lobby.
All visual signage in the building should use high colour contrast.
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There should be both visual and auditory substitutes for public address systems and
LED Display board information in the building.
3.2.15. Emergency evacuation:
There is no emergency evacuation provision in the building.
Recommendations:
Emergency evacuation provision should be planned for the office buildings and
the same should take into account people with disabilities.
For all floors other than the ground floor, the stairs of the building can be used for
emergency evacuation.
For the upper floors, there should be a refuge area designated near the stairs, with
accessible signage, including directional signage leading upto it.
For the basement floors, evacuation plans should compulsorily involve live human
assistance as there are no fire lifts and evacuation chairs cannot be used up the
basement stairs.
There should be an alerting system both visual and audible.
The alerting buttons should be between 600 mm and 1200 mm from the floor and
have a high contrast with the background wall.
There should be directional signage leading to the refuge area and the evacuation
plans should have the refuge area marked on them.
All emergency and directional signage should be accessible.
The refuge area should be minimally a 900mm x 1200mm space for parking a
wheelchair.
There should be smoke barriers around the refuge area that can hold the smoke
for at least one hour.
There should be an audio and visual two way communication system in the
refuge area at the height of 1000mm.
Evacuation plans should be prominently displayed in all floors of the new / old
buildings.
Evacuation plans and building maps should be made available in tactile / Braille
formats.
The plan should be of right size and easy to read.
The accessible evacuation route and the refuge points should be shown on the
plan.
The plan should have a ‘you are here’ point identified on it.
The plan should contrasts well with the background wall.
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The Staff should be trained to assist persons with disabilities in evacuation.
Evacuation chairs must be available for evacuation from the upper floors in the
new building and there must be staff trained to use them.
3.2.16. Common building elements:
3.2.16.1. Colour contrast (in critical surfaces, sudden change in level, toilets,
stairs, handrails, doors, switches and sockets, skirting, free standing
obstacles and signage):
Colour contrast is seen in some instances, like between stairs and wall,
doors and the background wall, signage etc. Contrast in signage is,
however, not as per standard specifications. Also, contrast is conspicuously
missing in other critical surfaces like sudden change in level, toilets and
toilet fittings, edges of stairs, switches and sockets, doors and door frames
and so on.
Fig. 23: Colour contrast seen between
stairs and wall but not with landing
Fig. 24: Lack of colour contrast
between free standing column and floor
Recommendations:
Colour contrast to be ensured in all critical surfaces as per specifications,
including in level differences, toilets and toilet fittings, stairs, switches,
siganages, doors and doorways and so on.
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3.2.16.2. Flooring:
Floors in the buildings are different in different places. While some are old
mosaic, there are new tiles in other places. Some places, especially the basement
floors are not very well maintained.
Difference in floor finish between corridors and rooms in seen in many instances.
Most of the tiled floors are slippery and have some glare.
There is some colour contrast between floors, skirtings and background walls in
most cases.
Recommendations:
Flooring has to be as per specifications highlighted in the Appendix to this Report.
Floors should be upgraded and be well maintained throughout the buildings.
There should be difference in floor finish from corridors and rooms in all instances.
Floor should be anti-slippery and have anti glare quality.
3.3. Information, communication and services:
The office does not have an accessible website and there are also no alternate
accessible formats of publications / brochures. None of its staff are trained in Indian
Sign Language and neither are there Sign Language interpreters available on call.
There is no facility of availability of a wheelchair; the staff have never attended any
disability sensitization sessions nor do they have trainings on how to extend assistance
to people with disabilities. Also there is no Equal Opportunities Policy in place to
promote employment of staff with disability.
Recommendations:
Office to develop an accessible website in compliance with accessibility norms as
per Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0).
Relevant information to be made accessible for the public in alternate accessible
formats.
Staff to be given awareness of accessible facilities in the premises.
There should be a simple procedure of enquiry / complaint lodging / making
suggestions for a visitor with disability.
There should be trained staff to extend live assistance to disabled people
whenever needed and especially during emergencies etc.
All staff to have disability sensitization sessions from time to time.
Department to develop and implement an Equal Opportunities Policy to
promote employment of staff with disability.
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Reasonable adjustment of workplace environment should be made, whenever
the need arise, to accommodate disabled staff.
Services like availability of wheelchairs, loop induction system, sign language
interpreter etc. should be ensured.
All accessibility equipments in the building to be regularly checked and
maintained in good working condition.
There should be a policy to allow guide dogs, wherever a disabled person is
accompanied by one.
4. Conclusion:
The Office buildings are not accessible for persons with disabilities.
There is however, ample scope to incorporate barrier-free built environment
provisions in many aspects, along with ensuring of accessible information,
communication and services.
There is not much possibility of ensuring accessible parking, alighting and route as
per ideal specifications due to space constraint. Ramp at the entrance of the old
building has to be constructed and reception counter should be upgraded.
To address the issue of vertical accessibility in the new building, stair lift should be
installed to connect all the upper floors. Toilets have to be also made accessible as far
as possible in the limited space available.
In other areas like signages, doors, handrails, stairs, corridors, toilets, colour contrast
in all relevant surfaces etc., retro-fittings as suggested, would ensure a reasonably
accessible built-environment.
It is also recommended that drinking water facility be installed in every floor.
All written information / brochures etc should be also provided in alternate accessible
formats and staff should be given basic training / sensitization on disability.
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