Build ramps, railings, toilets for disabled, panel tells State

To bring relief to over 11 lakh physically challenged people living in the City, the Directorate of Welfare of Disabled and Senior Citizens (DWDSC) has issued a circular to the State government to build within ramps, railings and disabled-friendly toilets in many buildings, said K S Rajanna, Commissioner for the Disabled.

There will also be a proposal, which the directorate will submit, to provide 50 percent subsidy for the disabled to be able to buy electric wheelchairs. It was said that even though the Persons with Disabilities Act was passed 18 years ago, only ten percent of the buildings in the City were disabled-friendly.

Speaking at a press conference here on Monday, the commissioner stated that the move is for the welfare of disabled persons. “These wheelchairs will not need another person’s help in order to be pushed. They are extremely user-friendly,” said Rajanna.

“For  disabled persons who fall under the Below Poverty Line (BPL), we will request the government to provide free electric wheelchairs,” he added.