Samarthanam Bhavan, a unique building for the disabled

Bengaluru-based NGO Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled has come up with state-of-the-art infrastructure to suit the needs of people with disabilities. 

The newly-constructed Samarthanam Bhavan is a three-storied barrier-free access building in JP Nagar 2nd Phase that can accommodate 60 differently-abled women and 20 elderly people. It was constructed with support from Morgan Stanley. 

To be inaugurated on Friday, the building is staircase-free and has ramps for the easy movement of wheelchair-bound residents. A sound machine at the entrance emits sound waves in a 30-metre radius to help the differently-abled navigate the entire building. 

The ramps have side handles to help those with locomotor disabilities manoeuvre any floor independently. For the visually-challenged, the entire building is free from sharp edges. From wall corners to furniture to hardware fittings, everything has only curved or spherical edges. The lift has Braille-enabled buttons as well as an audio facility. 

There is also a plan to instal tactile markings and CCTV cameras in all common areas, according to Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, Founder Managing Trustee, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled. The doorways are at least three feet and two inches in width, as against the usual two feet and six inches, to accommodate wheelchairs. The switchboards and electrical switches have a contrasting colour design to help the partially-blind, Kivadasannavar said. 

He said the building's idea struck him when he visited the King’s Cross railway station in London, which is stairs-free.