WORLD DISABILITY DAY TODAY Railway station, parks, ATMs, govt offices still not accessible for them Deepkamal Kaur Jalandhar, December 2 Showing a lack of sensitivity, the district authorities have paid no heed to the fact that specially abled persons have had to face a lot of inconvenience in their daily lives in commuting and availing various facilities in the city. Starting from the railway station to the bus transport facility, ATMs, public parks, market places, most government offices and even the local District Social Security Office, are not accessible for the physically challenged persons. They are forced to avoid various places since the authorities had not ensured them accessibility to these places. Local politicians have been making false promises with the differently abled and elderly by assuring them the construction of a ramp or an elevator at the city railway station ahead of every elections but nothing has come up for them so far. The physically challenged have no means other than a staircase to cross over to Platform No. 2 in case their train is arriving there. Amarjit Anand, expert member, State Divyang Advisory Board, said: “It is such an appalling situation that no Jalandhar MP has ever thought of spending a few lakh rupees from his pocket to ensure that at least a ramp comes up for the differently abled to cross over to the other side on their wheelchairs. Every time a new MP gets elected, the association of the specially abled persons make it a point to meet the leader, seeking a promise from them. But till date nothing has happened. Not just Jalandhar, none of the railway stations from Amritsar to Ambala are disabled-friendly.” Anand said: “Even the state bus transport is not conducive to them. There are no low-floor buses for them in the state. As a result, they are left with the option of taking a taxi for commuting (which not everyone can afford) or sit back at home and do away with any plans to venture out. Our city is clearly not supportive enough to ensure that the specially abled persons join the mainstream. No social organisation or politician has ever raised a voice for them.” Vijay (20), a polio-afflicted youth from Bihar, said: “I had come to Punjab six months ago thinking that it is an advanced state and that I will not face much problem while working here. I came here to realise that not just public places, even ATMs and public parks have not been raised according to the national norms. There are no staircase at bank ATMs. Even entrances to parks have revolving gates and only one person can go at a time. I cannot even go inside any of these parks to spend some time or relax.” Bani Gurleen, a visually challenged college student, said: “I have never been able to go out alone in the city and am forced to take someone with me for help. Roads are bad and there are chances that I may fall. Even at college, no friend or teacher allows me to go out alone. When I can use my cell phone and my laptop independently, I also want to have independent mobility too. I and my friends are planning to arrange a workshop on the issue soon.”

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