Sathish On Wheels’ Post

Challenges Faced by Differently-Abled People in Transportation: As part of an academic exercise, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Rohit Trivedi, Professor in English at Government Girls PG College, Bhopal, and a dedicated member of the voluntary organization Arushi which has been working for differently-abled individuals for the last 30 years. Along with Tarini Prasad and vimal v, under the guidance of Paulose N Kuriakose sir, we delved into the numerous challenges faced by differently-abled individuals in transportation. Key Challenges in Transportation for Differently-Abled Individuals: # Public Buses and Road Transport: *Most buses lack low floors and ramps. *Stops are not designed for easy boarding. *Blind individuals face difficulties identifying stops, buses, numbers, routes, and destinations. *Communication barriers for hearing-impaired individuals due to a lack of sign language knowledge. *Reserved seats for the physically challenged are often occupied by others. *Difficult access to bus stops due to the absence of exclusive pathways for wheelchair users and pedestrians. *Footpaths obstructed by trees and vendors. # Digital Accessibility: *Most travel apps are not disabled-friendly and do not conform to WCAG guidelines. *Visually challenged individuals face issues with unlabeled buttons and inaccessible images on apps. # Crossing Roads: *Particularly challenging for blind individuals and wheelchair users. *Need for different sounds for traffic signals and mechanisms to stop traffic. # Public Transport Modes: *Buses, taxis, and trains often not user-friendly for differently-abled persons. *Difficult for blind individuals and wheelchair users to approach and board trains. *Train stations and toilets generally inaccessible for people with mobility impairments. *Improvements in seat number labelling but overall accessibility are still lacking. *Ramps and elevators in stations not well-suited for wheelchair users. # Airports: *More organized and offer assistance from entry to boarding. *Need similar access and assistance in train stations. There is a critical need to develop a more inclusive and accessible transportation system for everyone. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts to make transportation infrastructure and services more accessible for differently-abled individuals. I'd like you to please watch the full interview to learn more about these critical issues and how we can address them. #Inclusion #Accessibility #Transportation #DisabilityRights #PublicTransport #DifferentlyAbled #Mobility #EqualAccess #BarrierFreeTravel #InclusionMatters #TransportForAll #AccessibleTravel #UniversalDesign #MobilityForAll #InclusiveCities #AssistiveTechnology #TravelWithoutBarriers #AccessibleInfrastructure

I experienced my worst nightmare! I travelled from Delhi to London on 9th November with AirIndia. As a permanent wheelchair user, I completely rely on my wheelchair for daily mobility. However, when I arrived at the Heathrow Airport, I found my wheelchair to be damaged and with its sidegaurds/handles missing. The wheelchair was clearly mishandled, probably thrown around. There are marks, tiny dents and chipped paint on my wheelchair! It's even more upsetting because this was a brand new chair that I got in September and it's so heartbreaking to see it being damaged because of carelessness. Moreover, apparently, the staff at Heathrow weren't even informed about me being an aisle wheelchair user resulting in a long delay in getting me deboarded. After all that wait and distress, imagine me having to see my wheelchair with missing parts and further damages. Travelling as a wheelchair user is already a struggle because there are so many barriers one has to face. Incidents like these just make it so much more worse. This also highlight how little airlines care for their disabled passengers. There's no consideration for one's personal assistive devices. What's more frustrating is that this is not a one time incident. Mishandling of mobility devices is, unfortunately, far too common. Mobility aids are not just “baggage” to be thrown around—they are our lifeline. Our entire lives depend on our assistive devices. This is so unfair and unacceptable. How long must disabled passengers travel with the constant fear that our essential mobility devices may be damaged or lost simply because we wanted or needed to travel? [Image Description: chipped off paint from my wheelchair with a mark] #DisabledPassenger #inclusion #disability #discrimination #AirIndia

#DidYouKnow Ramps and elevators in public buildings are a boon for everyone, from the elderly and children to those with temporary injuries. They ensure seamless accessibility, promoting inclusivity and convenience for all. #Accessibility4All #Svayam MyGov India

The need for disability vehicle access extends far beyond personal mobility cars and transportation. Various industries require accessible used vehicles for sale to accommodate employees, customers, and clients with disabilities. Especially, the healthcare industry relies heavily on wheelchair-accessible vehicles to transport patients with mobility impairments to medical appointments or between facilities. Public transportation services, such as buses and trains, must provide accessibility features like wheelchair ramps to ensure equal access for all passengers. What types of disability vehicle access ramps are there? Check it on our website: https://lnkd.in/gVcKNiJz #Portaramp #Canada #RampSolutions #SafeAccess #AccessibleCanada #PortableRamps #AccessibilityRamps #WheelchairRamp #VehicleRamp

"Dear Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (LMRC) , customer service should prioritize empathy. Recently, I encountered a non-literate passenger at Munshipulia Station who, unaware of the exit process, mistakenly exited without completing his journey. When he asked for assistance, customer service informed him he’d need a new ticket, even though he hadn't traveled. I offered ₹50 to help, as it seemed unfair to charge ₹60 for no journey at all. Policies should support genuine cases like this. Let’s create rules that truly help commuters in need. #CustomerService #EmpathyInAction #PublicTransport #LucknowMetro #CommuterCare #Inclusion #HumanityFirst #SocialImpact"

#Free Buses in Tamil Nadu : #Boon or #Bane ?   🚌🚌3,000 regular female bus #commuters were surveyed across six cities (#Chennai, #Tirunelveli, #Thiruvarur, #Coimbatore, #Tiruvannamalai and #Salem) by the Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG) to assess the benefits and challenges of the free bus travel initiative.   The #Initiative👩🏽💲: ☑️ Women, transgender individuals, and disabled persons can travel free of charge on designated buses (identified by their pink color) without the need for an ID card. ☑️ The government compensates the transport corporation Rs 16 per free ticket, resulting in significant revenue (Rs 1422 crore from 88.87 million free trips taken by women)   👩🏽👩🏽User Profiles as indicated in the picture shows that the lower income groups are making the maximum use of the buses   #Results: ✳️ #Improved cost-free mobility for women ✳️ Significant number of respondents reported #savings ranging from Rs 400 to over Rs 1000 per month. This was used other purposes like #household needs (2024 women), #food (1,191 women) and education (879 women) ✳️ Increased #ridership as men and other family members also utilizes the free bus service ✳️ Enables women to travel #long distances and attend to daily #errands efficiently   ⛔️#Challenges: ❌#Overcrowding of buses due to insufficient fleet expansion by Chennai MTC ❌Only 50% of Chennai's MTC buses (1500) are part of the free bus scheme, #limited to ordinary buses ❌Instances of hostile comments and #harassment from male passengers and poor bus #frequency   Overall, this scheme has benefited several women and given them the freedom to travel. But by #addressing key areas like safety, overcrowding the services can be further improved   #chennaimetro #MTA, #Equitable #safe #Gender #inclusivity Read more : https://lnkd.in/gC4BUuny https://lnkd.in/gA3kBnr4

Objectives: This is a need assessment study conducted on wheelchair users with limited locomotion ability in the legs in the Ahmedabad urban region in India. The results describe the unmet needs in the indoor and outdoor settings. Even though India is a large country with huge diversity in local climate and terrain and big socio-economic disparity, need assessment studies for assistive technology across various socio-economic or with region specificity are extremely scarce. Accordingly, this study aims to understand the needs and requirements of mobility assistive technology users that are not met by their current devices. Methods: Data from 69 participants having physical disabilities were collected through interviews and 6 of the participants were video-tapped to observe their daily routine. Meanwhile, a qualitative analysis of the collected data was carried out. Results: The analysis highlights problems of participants, such as working in the kitchen, inability to perform everyday indoor tasks, inaccessibility of toilets and public transport, etc. Discussion: A mixture of qualitative and quantitative data analysis showed that the major features that the Indian wheelchair users wanted were the ability to adjust the height of the chair, the ability to reach objects without too much maneuvering of the wheelchair, ease of transfer from wheelchair to toilet seat and back and also meet outdoor needs. Hence, a wheelchair that can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings is one of the most imminent needs for such wheelchair users. #NeedAssessment, #WheelchairUsers, #PersonWithDisability, #AssistiveDevice

I recently came across an article in the Times of India that highlights a challenge faced by people with disabilities (PWDs) in India. The story focuses on Jagdish Lohar, a 51-year-old specially-abled teacher from Jodhpur. While Lohar's accomplishment is incredible - a 23-day, 6,200-kilometer motorcycle expedition from Jodhpur to Bengaluru - there's a key detail to note: he completed this journey on a specially modified motorcycle. The article reveals a significant issue - the lack of readily available disability-friendly vehicles in India. PWDs are often forced to modify existing vehicles to meet their needs, a process that can be expensive and inconvenient. Mr. Lohar's remarkable ride serves as a powerful message. It highlights the need for more accessible transportation options for people with disabilities in India. While we celebrate his achievement, it also sheds light on the existing challenges. Let's work towards a future where transportation is accessible to everyone! #DisabilityRights #TransportationForAll #MakingIndiaInclusive #TimesofIndia

Great news for travelers with disabilities! ♿️ Indian Railways is now reserving seats specifically for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) on ALL reserved Express/Mail trains! Here's what you need to know: 1. More seats allocated: Sleeper, AC (3E/3A), Garib Rath (SLRD), Second Sitting & Chair Car (with more than 2 coaches) will have reserved berths/seats for PwDs. 2. Vande Bharat Specials: Two specially designed seats with an adjacent escort seat are reserved for PwDs in these trains. 3. Booking & Verification: Unique Identity Cards issued by Indian Railways will be required for online booking and counter purchases (or concessional certificate copy). This is a big step towards inclusive travel! IRCTC Indian Railways George Abraham Score Foundation, India #IndianRailways #PwD #AccessibleTravel #InclusionMatters

Mobility challenges significantly impact the lives of millions of individuals worldwide who depend on wheelchairs, particularly those who are disabled or elderly. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 75 million people globally require the use of a wheelchair. In India alone, there are approximately 2.7 million wheelchair users, a significant portion of whom face severe limitations in their daily mobility and independence. Manual wheelchairs, while essential, come with inherent limitations. Users often face physical strain from self-propulsion and may require constant assistance from caregivers, which can lead to a loss of independence and dignity. Raahmitra addresses this need by offering a versatile and transformative attachment that can be easily integrated with any manual wheelchair, providing autonomous navigation and enhanced safety features. This project aims to bridge the gap between manual mobility aids and advanced autonomous systems, ensuring that wheelchair users can experience greater freedom and a better quality of life. Raahmitra is more than just an autonomous wheelchair attachment; is a beacon of hope and independence for wheelchair users. Please refer to the video below for better understanding. #raahmitra #inclusivity #differentlyablednotdisabled #differentlyabled #aatmanirbharbharat #independence #dignity #workingforthecommunity