Goa govt to audit accessibility of its buildings to heed rules for PwDs

Panaji: State govt has decided to conduct an accessibility audit of the built environment, including public buildings, transportation systems, educational institutions, and recreational facilities.This initiative aims to ensure compliance with accessibility standards and guidelines notified under Rule 15 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules.Goa’s department for empowerment of persons with disabilities will engage an agency registered or empanelled as access auditors under the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment to carry out the audit in the state.The selected agency will conduct audits across the state and provide detailed reports highlighting areas of non-compliance and suggesting corrective measures. State govt decided to monitor and evaluate the implementation of recommended measures to ensure they are effectively incorporated and continue to meet accessibility standards.Govt wants to stay updated on changes in accessibility standards and regulations through continuous professional development.“The selected agency has to provide comprehensive diversity, inclusion and accessibility consultancy for events and special projects for persons with disabilities,” a senior officer said, “It will also have to conduct technical training programmes and capacity-building workshops for technical personnel of various user departments of state govt.”For the first time in Goa, state govt has decided to undertake a comprehensive survey of persons with disabilities (PwDs). The aim is to collect precise, geo-tagged information that would facilitate the development of inclusive policies and enhance service provision.Through this survey, govt wants to understand the problems faced by PwDs and frame policies to provide them with employment and prepare plans for their future.In line with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, govt intends to conduct a comprehensive, time-bound survey covering all 21 disabilities.The director of the department for empowerment of persons with disabilities, Varsha Naik, told TOI that earlier, a survey was conducted in 2011 by the directorate of planning statistics, but it was not limited to PwDs.“We have data from the 2011 census; after that, more disabilities were added, and now we cover 21 disabilities,” Naik said. “With this survey, we will come to know about their educational qualifications and where they are staying, among other things. Right now, we don’t have any comprehensive data on PwDs.”