People with disabilities often struggle to visit public places in India. To shed light on these difficulties, Access To Hope, an NGO, conducted a disability audit at Five Gardens in Mumbai. Activist and co-founder of the NGO, Jasmina Khanna, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, mentioned that going to places like beaches and gardens takes a lot of struggle. Here’s what the audit report found.
Disability Audit At Five Gardens In Mumbai
In talks with Hindustan Times, Jasmina Khanna mentioned that taking help from someone to be lifted at public places is a blow to her dignity. To check if gardens in the city are disability-friendly, Access To Hope volunteers and co-founder Sanket Khadilkar, who is also Jasmina’s physiotherapist, conducted an audit at Five Gardens in Mumbai. And the results were not positive.
The audit report mentions a lack of ramps at various places and notes that the few existing ones are unstable and unsafe. The basalt stones made the footpath uneven and bumpy, often causing Jasmina’s wheelchair to stop. The only thing that kept her safe was the belt.
Also Read: A 7-YO Girl Opens Tiny Lemonade Stall In Mumbai With Help From Dad; The Reason Will Surprise You!
Mitesh Shah, who uses crutches and callipers, said that walking on the footpaths felt like a trek. The audit team also mentioned that bus stops, tree guards, lamp posts, electric poles, signboards and hawkers were also obstacles in their way. These things are not only a problem for disabled people but also for elderly and pregnant women.
Not just the footpaths, even the grass inside the garden offered little support. It made it difficult for people with wheelchairs and walkers to navigate the path.
NGO To Send Audit Report To BMC
After conducting the disability audit, the NGO has decided that it will present the report to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). However, amidst this, Five Gardens residents are worried that future changes can ruin the Grade III heritage features of their neighbourhood.
According to Hindustan Times, a member of Mancherji Edulji Joshi Colony Residents’ Association, Darayus Bacha, has stated that they are not against making the area disability-friendly, but they don’t want to ruin the beauty of the place.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below!
Also Read: At 24, Food Vlogger Set To Open A Cafe In Mumbai, Serving Benne Dosas, Kaapi; Thatte Idlis
Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/Access To Hope & Canva Pro/BgStock 72