'2 disabled-friendly booths to be set up in Udupi'

Udupi district administration will set up two polling booths with special facilities for persons with disabilities (PWD).

District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati said that the polling stations would be handled by the staff, who are physically challenged themselves. “Such special polling booths will be set up at Kodi Kanyana and Hanumantha Nagara.”

The polling booths have been provided with electricity connection, fan, disabled-friendly toilet, drinking water facility, ramp and wheelchairs.

Further, volunteers have been recruited to help the persons with disabilities at the polling booth, she added.

“Vehicles have been arranged to transport the persons with disabilities to the polling booths.”

Measures have also been taken to set up first aid centres with an health assistant for emergency treatment of persons with disabilities. Chairs will be put up for voters to sit. Floor mat will be laid at the polling booth.

The services of Village Rehabilitation Workers (VRWs) will be utilised for providing required facilities to the PWDs. A teacher has also been deployed to assistant the hearing impaired in sign language, Korlapati said.

In Kundapur Assembly segment, 1,640 persons with disabilities have been identified. As many as 143 wheelchairs and 222 magnifying glasses will be provided. That apart 222 volunteers will be deployed to help PWDs, DC said.

The Udupi constituency has 1,516 persons with disabilities. The authorities have arranged for 115 wheelchairs and 226 magnifying glasses along with services of 226 assistants who will help persons with disabilities.

In Kaup Assembly segment, there are 1,299 persons with disabilities. As many as 117 wheelchairs and 208 magnifying glasses will provided. That apart 208 volunteers will been deployed.

The Karkala Assembly segment has 1,439 persons with disabilities.

The authorities have arranged for 149 wheelchairs and 209 magnifying glasses along with the services of 209 assistants.