The need to legally recognize the making of buildings accessible to all especially to the disabled has been emphasized at a meeting of the Sri Lanka Association of Civil Engineers (SLAICE) and the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) held in Colombo recently.
Dr. Ajith C. S. Perera addressing the audience |
Dr. Ajith C. S. Perera, Hony. Secretary-General of IDIRIYA, a voluntary disability rights advocate and a pioneering campaigner for ‘buildings for all’, said that making buildings accessible to all is a moral duty and equal responsibility of everyone as it is an act of social justice in the national interest.
He disclosed that already an estimated 16% of Sri Lanka’s population is disabled. As professionals in the construction industry and as the custodians of ‘our’ built environments, engineers and architects should promote designs and constructions that include all people making none an unwanted burden on society, he said. He noted that productive integration into society of everyone as equal partners is paramount for all citizens and the country.
This requires establishing a society that constructs public buildings with everyone in mind so that everyone, especially people with curtailed mobility, can use fully.
This prevents inhumane discrimination, promotes gainful opportunities, minimizes unwanted dependency and brings rich dividends to the country,” he said. He added that this question exposed a grave social problem causing colossal waste economically, socially and psychologically for an estimated three million people and our country.
Dr. Perera said: “It is a widespread disastrous myth that establishing access facilities is very costly and requires years of time. In fact there are several low-cost ways and means to improve accessibility affordable by everyone.” |
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