IMC-CSR wing and Ratna Nidhi organised disability seminar

IMC-CSR wing and Ratna Nidhi Trust, supported by SBI, jointly organised a seminar titled 'Dependence to independence- Making Maharashtra Disabled Friendly' organised by the CSR Committee of the Indian Merchants Chamber in the city on Saturday. The seminar saw a congregation of experts and philanthropists from the disability sector across India, who spoke on a wide spectrum of issues such as skilling, employment and how CSR from corporates can make a difference to the disability sector. Ramesh Daswani, Head -CSR Committee of the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, "India has about 8 crore persons with disability as per the world bank. Disabled people are the world's largest minority. We are fortunate to be able to bring this discussion to the centre-stage and give it its due."

Key speakers from the philanthropy space such as Rajiv Mehta, Trustee, Ratna Nidhi Trust, Abbas Master, CEO of Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust, Shekhar Mehta, Past director Rotary International & Jayanti Shukla-CEO, United Way Mumbai were present. Speaking at the seminar, Rajiv Mehta, Trustee, Ratna Nidhi Trust said, "In the last 3 years, 6000 persons with disabilities have been re-habilitated by Ratna Nidhi , 34% of which are below the age of 18. We have distributed free wheelchairs, callipers, Jaipur Foot and hearing aids, giving the disabled students the gift of mobility. This helps them attend schools and be educated."

While talking about the prevalent government norms for accessibility, Abbas Master, CEO Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (SBUT) said,"In Maharashtra, the Development Control Regulations (DCR) stipulates and enforces the norms for built environment. It has hardly any provision for making the built environment disabled friendly. There is mandatory requirement only for the Public Buildings, and there is neither any incentive nor any requirement to be disabled-friendly from Private Buildings." "We need to look into disability within whatever we do. In something like disaster management, we need to see how will the people with disability will be rescued during a storm. Such issues are never considered. Here is where the help should come from the corporate sector. Disability is cross cutting across areas" added Ms. Kanchan Pamnani Solicitor, Bombay Law Society. Pamnani is herself visually impaired.

Mary Ellen Matsui, ED of Atma Education presented a report on "Bridging the gap in Disability Education' at the event. " I know a student with intellectual disability called Rohit. Every day Rohit travels from Pune to Mumbai for a catering class- because he has supportive parents. Not everyone is so lucky. Education in India today is not inclusive. We need to work on skilling our mainstream teachers, who are the main interface between the student and the school. There is an incredible dearth of trained teachers in schools.CSR funds are required in education for students with disabilities. We are happy to share that we have readied 21 students with intellectual disabilities who can be placed by industry. "

It is well known that one billion people, or 15% of the world's population, experience some form of disability, and disability prevalence is higher for developing countries. "We all need to realise that human rights and development for persons with disabilities includes removing barriers for equal access. The objective is to create a user-friendly mass- transport system which ensures equal accessibility to persons with disabilities and the elderly persons," said R K Sharma, Executive Director, Electrical, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation.

While talking about how equal accessibility is possible, Sharma made few suggestions such as

1. Car doors and aisles should be at least 900 mm wide
2. The gap between the car doors and platform should be less than 12 mm
3. Space for a wheel chair should be available at the side of the door etc.

Ramesh Daswani added, " we will follow up this event with a white paper that has key recommendations to the Maharashtra Govt to ensure inclusive education, infrastructure and employment for persons with disabilities." Highlighting the importance of education to inclusion,Rajiv Mehta, Trustee, Ratna Nidhi Trust added,"Children must realise there are other children with disabilities. They grow up to be more sensitive. We need disabled children in our schools."

Press Release

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