<p>The officers led by B B Puradal, State Assistant Commissioner, visited the office of Commissioner of Public Instruction (CPI), Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Department of Survey, Settlement and Land Records near KR Circle. <br /><br />Although the team found ramps in CPI and survey department buildings, the railings were higher than the prescribed norms. <br /><br />Also, both the buildings did not have elevators making it inaccessible for the disabled to reach first or second floor. Worst, the SSA building which has an elevator sans ramp cannot even accommodate a person on a wheelchair. <br /><br />The team also observed that the elevator neither had an audio facility nor Braille buttons to aid the visually-impaired. Toilets in all the buildings were unfriendly for the disabled. <br /><br />“The buildings have facilities for the general public. However, they must create a separate disabled-friendly toilets, as per the law,” said R V Kulkarni, Department Office Superintendent. Kulkarni further said each department is expected to make the building accessible to the disabled by setting aside three per cent of their budget. <br /><br />The Commissioner for Disabilities will issue notices to all the three departments asking them to submit their action plan within three months.</p>
<p>The officers led by B B Puradal, State Assistant Commissioner, visited the office of Commissioner of Public Instruction (CPI), Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Department of Survey, Settlement and Land Records near KR Circle. <br /><br />Although the team found ramps in CPI and survey department buildings, the railings were higher than the prescribed norms. <br /><br />Also, both the buildings did not have elevators making it inaccessible for the disabled to reach first or second floor. Worst, the SSA building which has an elevator sans ramp cannot even accommodate a person on a wheelchair. <br /><br />The team also observed that the elevator neither had an audio facility nor Braille buttons to aid the visually-impaired. Toilets in all the buildings were unfriendly for the disabled. <br /><br />“The buildings have facilities for the general public. However, they must create a separate disabled-friendly toilets, as per the law,” said R V Kulkarni, Department Office Superintendent. Kulkarni further said each department is expected to make the building accessible to the disabled by setting aside three per cent of their budget. <br /><br />The Commissioner for Disabilities will issue notices to all the three departments asking them to submit their action plan within three months.</p>
