Are Smart Cities Inclusive For Differently-Abled

Inclusivity is the new watchword for cities all over the world. Till now, development has been focused on making cities fast and efficient. The rapid pace of life and cut-throat competition is what defines big cities, but there has been little progress in making our cities inclusive, especially for persons with disabilities. It is high time that we make the transition from a welfare-based approach to a rights-based approach while designing our cities

Historically, within religious and mythological worldviews, disability was looked at as an anomaly – a result of sin or bad karma. Think of the figure of the witch mostly presented with a hunchback, a crooked face and a faulty gait. It is not a surprise then that ableism has always been a norm in the world. Consequently, we’ve built our world for able-bodied people. As I sit in my home writing this piece, I think of the front steps of my house which make it inaccessible for a wheelchair user. Back in my college days, I remember teachers making exceptions for students who were differently-abled, by having classes on the ground floor, for a lack of an elevator in the building, or organising a writer for a visually impaired student. But the point is, why were these instances mere exceptions. Where is the place for the differently-abled in our cities?

Legal Provisions

In India, a comprehensive framework of policies and guidelines provides for the provision of an inclusive environment to the differently-abled population. But the numbers tell a different story. According to the 2011 census, 26.8 million people are differently abled in India, which is about 2.21 per cent of the population. On the other hand, WHO, in a 2011 report, pegs it at 15.3 per cent. But these numbers are highly under-reported because of the stigma associated with disability in India. According to experts, in the Indian society, the discourse around disability is mired in stigma which in turn, leads to a lacuna in data
The idea of disability inclusion took its roots in the early years of 1970s with the starting of the Disability Rights Movement, but the movement got impetus only in the 1980s. Finally, in 1995, Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (or PWD Act) was passed. It ensures three per cent reservation in government jobs to PwDs for the first time.
In 2016, The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, was enacted by the parliament, replacing the earlier PwD Act, 1995. The new Act is in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The types of disabilities listed in the Act were increased from seven to 21, reservation was increased from three to four per cent, and accessibility in the public buildings (government and private) has been ensured. This Act also puts emphasis on implementation, through provisions such as constitution of district level committees by the State Governments to address local concerns of PwDs, penalties for offences committed against PwDs and designation of special courts in each district to handle cases concerning violation of rights of PwDs, etc.

What makes cities accessible?

Infrastructure designs in urban regions have been apathetic to the disabled population. This is now changing globally. With a rise in aging population worldwide, the need is finally being felt for infrastructure designed for the needs of everyone, rather than for just the able-bodied population.
Microsoft, in collaboration with other global companies, has launched a toolkit containing four tools to help Smart Cities worldwide, to focus on Information and Communications Technology (ICT), accessibility and the digital inclusion of PwDs and older persons. In 2010, the European Commission launched the Access City Award, to recognise cities which have made laudable efforts towards making infrastructure accessible for differently abled and elderly populations. Luxembourg City won the Access City Award 2022. The award is granted on four basic criteria:
Built environment and public spaces; Transportation and related infrastructures; Information and communication technologies;
Public facilities and services.

Policies

India’s Smart Cities Mission has opened up the opportunity for the authorities to reorient urban development and make it more inclusive for the differently abled. In 2015, the Government of India rolled out the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) specifically to make public infrastructure (like administrative buildings and transport) more accessible to differently-abled people. The scheme focuses on three main aspects of accessibility including creation of a barrier-free environment, transportation system accessibility, and Information and Communication eco-system accessibility.
Amidst the general inaccessibility of urban infrastructure, the Delhi metro has emerged as clear exception. People are not only provided assistance, but even the general public appears to be more inclusive towards their differently abled co-passengers. Mr Baldev Gulati, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, who is visually challenged, praises the “positive ecosystem” created by the Delhi metro. He says, “The best part about the metro is that they give you space and choice as well as give respect to your decision. For instance, if I want to use the escalator instead of the lift, the staff will not say no. This is what I call the ecosystem.” Mr Baldev’s views resonate with many other daily commuters who share similar experiences. It proves that it is possible to create a culture wherein the same people who litter the streets give up their seat in the metro for someone who needs it.

Enforcement of Rules

Despite having policies and laws in place, implementation is the usual bottleneck. While the new law does emphasise on the implementation of existing laws and policies, substantial change hasn’t been seen since the enactment of the new law. We still have a long way to go to ensure compliance of public as well as private authorities. It is not just active discrimination which needs to be penalised, but also passive non-compliance which needs to be considered a serious offence.

Cultural and Behavioural Change

Most importantly, the sensitivity towards differently abled people in the general public is still lacking. The local governments need to spearhead a cultural revolution, by spreading awareness among the public, while also encouraging more public participation from the differently abled population. Public spaces like parks, museums, art galleries and market squares are sites, where this change can be engendered. It is high time we realise that it doesn’t take much to be mindful of the needs of our vulnerable population and simple, economical changes can go a long way in bridging social gaps
in accessibility.