Access for All

Report on Observing

First “National Accessibility Day�

October 22, 2011

Introduced by Society for Special Persons

According to world Health Organization; “Disability is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. Thus disability is a complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives.”

If we talk about physical disability, we have to admit that to some extent we all are with disabilities. For instance a child, a person with broken leg, ill or infirm citizen etc. all are with temporary disabilities in on or other way. We all require some sort of enabling and supportive environment and infrastructure to continue our existence as a useful and contributing citizen. There are very few human beings who live healthy and without disabilities through out their lives. It is also a matter of fact that each and every human being who wants to perform his or her daily tasks or needs various means of access. It means accessibility is a matter of all. We can not separate the persons with physical disabilities form the rest of the individuals without disabilities, infect their needs coincide with the needs of all people equally.

Accessibility is meant to give equal access to each and everyone. It enables human beings to access the facilities and services found in the community. Accessibility is some what a fundamental human need or right, and we all know that a basic human rights are same for all human beings and no discrimination or deprivation in this respect can be made on account of any physical, social, cultural or legal base. But it is a biter reality that persons with disabilities worldwide are being denied the basic right of accessibility. They are constantly neglected in policies, planning and programs for development. According to World Program of action concerning persons with disabilities “More than one billion people in the world are with disabilities as a consequence of intellectual, physical or sensory impairment.” In most societies there are innumerable obstacles and barriers that hinder persons with disabilities. These include such things as stairs, lack of information in accessible formats such as Braille and sign language, and community services provided in a form which persons with disabilities are not able to understand.

The disability rights movement advocates equal access to social, political, and economic life which includes not only physical access but access to the same tools, services, organizations and facilities which we all pay for. Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities commits signatories to provide for full accessibility in their countries. Measures should be undertaken to eliminate obstacles and barriers to indoor and outdoor facilities including schools, medical facilities and workplaces. These would include not only buildings, but also footpaths, curb cuts, and obstacles that block the flow of pedestrian traffic. In many

instances, means of transportation are inaccessible to persons with disabilities because either they cannot use them in the first instance (e.g. inaccessible buses, train stations), Immediate steps should ensure that persons with disabilities using public transportation are not at a disadvantage to others. Accessibility for persons with disabilities may also include the provision of ramps into buildings, signage in Braille, and sign language interpreters or closed captioning on public television. In Pakistan such situation is prevailed.

Keeping in view all above facts the on 22nd October, 2011 Society for special persons took a revolutionary step to introduce to the world a special day dedicated to the efforts of physically persons with disabilities to claim and achieve their right of equal accessibility with a vision of better future for the PWDs of the country with aim to recognize this day on International level, Slogan of the day was “ACCESS FOR ALL”.

Society for Special Persons (SSP) is working for the empowerment of People with Disabilities. SSP mainly focuses on Independent Living, Barrier Free Society, Advocacy and Awareness rising activities, Capacity building, provision of basic facilities, & Livelihood. SSP provides a common platform to improve the over all quality of life of the People with Disabilities. . It was first day in the entire history of disability rights movements that was meant to highlight the need of equal accessibility for all physically persons with disabilities round the world. In this way Society for Special persons once again proved to be the just and representative voice for the rights of the persons with disabilities. It is no doubt worlds first ever “Accessibility for All” Day and SSP is fully determined to see this day being celebrated round the world as an international day for Accessibility.

Initially “Access for All” day was celebrated at national level in Pakistan originating from the historical city of Multan, which has got a population of over 4.5 million with more than 5 Lac Persons with disability. The situation regarding accessibility opportunities for the persons with disabilities in the said city is not satisfactory. At present only 1000 persons with disability have access to educational institutions. There is no trend for providing special features in parks, buildings, mosques, educational premises, markets & other public places which enable persons with disability to have easy and comfortable access in times of needs. It demands serious efforts to improve the situation regarding accessibility issues of persons with disabilities in this area and adjacent Districts also.

The celebration of this day was first step in this respect.

Multiple stalls and booths were placed in various prominent and crowded places of the city, where special arrangements were made in order to raise

awareness about lack of accessibility for persons with disabilities in the country. On these stalls, dedicated and well trained teams from SSP and other organizations raised voices for the right of accessibility for persons with disabilities. They urged to the citizens that it is the prime responsibility of the state & citizens to make necessary arrangements for the persons with disabilities to exercise their right of equal and convenient access. The stalls remained open through out the day and hundred thousands of people visited to have information regarding the theme of the day. These stalls were decorated in a rightly manner and all sorts of relevant material was provided to get attention from the masses. Activity focused on delivering the message to all segments of society including businessmen, trade unions, teachers, officers, students, architectures and general public etc.

List of Stalls organized by SSP on “Accessibility for All� Day Place

SSP Team

1. Central College

Arif and Fawad

2. Food Festival (chungi # 6)

Ahmad yar, mohammad Waqas,

3. Mumtazabad Market

Rana Qayum, Abdul Majid,

4. Food Festival (Garden Town)

Aziz, Mohammad Rafi,

5. Food Festival (Ghanta ghar)

Naveed, Awais Karne,

6. British Universityi

Adnan Nisar, Mohammad Arshad

7. Chowk Shaheedan

Shahid Malik, Mohammad Al

8. Multan Press Club

Tahir Girdase, Mohammad Irfanl

9. Gardasi Market

Allah Ditta, Azam

10. City College

Salam , Rana Arif

11. Food Festival (Khanewal road)

Mohammad Almas , Mohammad Yousaf

SSP published a special pamphlet on this occasion which highlighted the agenda of the day and included information & statistics regarding disability and issue accessibility accessibility. The pamphlet was

of

published in large number and widely distributed among citizens to convey the message of equal accessibility to maximum audience. Visitors in stalls showed keen interest in the content of the pamphlet and sought further information about disability, accessibility issues and the means by which the situation could be made better.

Specially prepared video documentary was shown in all stalls and various other public places. This documentary was result of laborious efforts from team members of Society for Special persons and it was the prominent feature of the event. It was observed that the medium proved effective in highlighting the cause. A large number of people given attention to the documentary and appreciated the efforts of SSP. This documentary focused on various issues including disability issues, accessibility requirements and stressed the need of active role of civil society and media to come forward and work for the improvement of the situation. The accessibility campaign was also supported with carefully designed posters, thematic badges and other material in documented form.

Inauguration program started at 10:00 am in SSP office building. Representatives from different NGO’s and INGO’s participated and express their views they also highlighted the importance of the day. Mr. Ajaz Ahmad Shah, chairman board of directors made welcome speech to respected guests. President SSP Ms. Zahida Hameed Qureshi briefed the honorable guests in detail WHY they realized to introduce this day; in her speech, she discussed the problems regarding Access of persons with disabilities in build infrastructure and suggests some solutions The inaugural ceremony of the day was conducted at Office of the Society. Distinguished guests and representatives of various prominent organizations and industries were present on the historic occasion.

The participants during their speeches urged the need to work hard for achieving the goal of accessibility for all. They appreciated the initiative of Society for Special persons in raising voice for the rights of the disabled. Distinguished guests also appreciated SSP for launching accessibility day and expressed their hopes that this day will be one day celebrated worldwide and efforts of SSP will be remembered.

List of participants of Inaugural Session • • • • • • • •

Dr Shahnawaz Munami Sheikh Ahsan Rasheed Jam Janshiad Jam Khalid Mateen M. Raheel Yousaf Tanveer Sajjad Haider

CHEF International Shama Ghee and General Mills SPO FAO UNDP CHEF International Peshawar Media Advisor of Daily nawa e waqt Principal Special Education

List of Organizations • • • • • • •

Plan Pakistan Save the children Awaz Foundation PHDF PSC Hands Multan deaf Association

SSP Board Members & Guests • • •

Ajaz Ahmad Shah Mrs Sadika Karamat Ali Mrs Tahira najam

SSP Board member SSP Board member SSP Board member

A special resolution was passed on the Accessibility day which included points regarding provision of better accessibility options and facilities for persons with disabilities at universities, educational institutions, schools, govt. departments, parks, arts council, cinema, railway stations, bus stations and airport etc. it also urged on implementation of Pakistan Accessibility code 2006 as soon as possible. This declaration urged United Nations to celebrate accessibility day on international level and declare it a world day of accessibility.

More then 3000 thousand people signed this resolution The campaign ended with a resolve to start consistent efforts to make the dream of accessibility for all a reality.