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Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Gig workers with disabilities unable to access lounges
Chennai: Greater Chennai Corporation has set up lounges with air conditioning, power outlets and toilets in Anna Nagar and T Nagar for gig workers to relax between orders, but the spaces remain inaccessible to people with disabilities (PwDs). K Sasikumar, a food delivery partner, says being on the road all day on his battery-powered wheelchair is physically exhausting as his app algorithm forces him to travel to faraway locations. "Since I take my wheelchair to faraway locations, using the wheelchair on these roads induces severe body pain. I tried using the lounge once, but there is no way to access it as it's on a pavement with no way to get on it with my wheelchair. Also, the entrance has an extended door frame that hinders the path. It's nice the govt is coming up with such initiatives, but when they build such structures, they should keep us in mind," he said. S Namburajan, vice-president of Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (Taratdac), said the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD Act), 2016 in India mandates accessibility across various sectors, including physical infrastructure, transportation, information and communication technology (ICT), and public services. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The Act also states that the govt should ensure all public buildings and spaces that are already constructed be made accessible through modifications. "Despite such an Act in place, policy makers continue to build places that are inaccessible. It needs to be strictly enforced during planning phase." You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai While GCC plans similar lounges in Thiruvanmiyur, Villivakkam, Royapettah, Mylapore, and Nungambakkam, activists say small retrofittings can make a huge difference. Sathish Kumar, an activist, said a ramp should be made that connects the road to the entrance. "There should be a charging space for wheelchairs and the width of the toilet door should be 3 feet. The toilet also should be accessible and be made spacious according to space available. " "We've taken note of the issue and are planning to install a temporary ramp as we work on constructing a permanent one," said GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Chennai Gig Workers Lounge: No Access For Wheelchair Users
A gig workers lounge in Anna Nagar, Chennai Greater Chennai Corporation has set up lounges with air conditioning, power outlets and toilets in Anna Nagar and T Nagar for gig workers to relax between orders, but the spaces remain inaccessible to people with disabilities (PwDs). READ ALSO: Just 7% of gig workers signed up for welfare schemes K Sasikumar, a food delivery partner, says being on the road all day on his battery-powered wheelchair is physically exhausting as his app algorithm forces him to travel to faraway locations. 'Since I take my wheelchair to faraway locations, using the wheelchair on these roads induces severe body pain. I tried using the lounge once, but there is no way to access it as it's on a pavement with no way to get on it with my wheelchair. Also, the entrance has an extended door frame that hinders the path. It's nice the govt is coming up with such initiatives, but when they build such structures, they should keep us in mind,' he said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai S Namburajan, vice-president of Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (Taratdac), said the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD Act), 2016 in India mandates accessibility across various sectors, including physical infrastructure, transportation, information and communication technology (ICT), and public services. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Luxury Awaits at Paras Floret | Paras Sector 59 Gurgaon Paras The Florett Book Now Undo The Act also states that the govt should ensure all public buildings and spaces that are already constructed be made accessible through modifications. 'Despite such an Act in place, policy makers continue to build places that are inaccessible. It needs to be strictly enforced during planning phase.' While GCC plans similar lounges in Thiruvanmiyur, Villivakkam, Royapettah, Mylapore, and Nungambakkam, activists say small retrofittings can make a huge difference. Sathish Kumar, an activist, said a ramp should be made that connects the road to the entrance. 'There should be a charging space for wheelchairs and the width of the toilet door should be 3 feet. The toilet also should be accessible and be made spacious according to space available. ' 'We've taken note of the issue and are planning to install a temporary ramp as we work on constructing a permanent one,' said GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Time of India
There's no way ahead for wheelchair users at Marina
Chennai: The wooden accessibility ramp at Marina Beach, intended to serve differently abled visitors, is damaged due to lack of maintenance, leaving wheelchair users stranded. A similar incident occured in 2024 and Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) acted only after repeated public outcry. These wooden ramps, which are supposed to provide access to the beach for wheelchair users and senior citizens, are a a part of GCC's efforts to promote inclusive public infrastructure. However, they remain frequently unusable and instead of a permanant fix, the civic body carries out temporary repairs that do not last. "The wooden ramp was constructed as per CRZ guidelines. But the work is so shabby that it gets damaged easily," said S Namburajan, working president of National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled. "The ramp doesn't even have a roof. Govt treats this initiative as charity, rather than a right that must be upheld," he said. People with disabilities complain of broken wooden planks and sand accumulation on the ramp. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Избавляемся от боли в суставах с помощью натуральных средств! Здоровые Суставы Undo "GCC is focused on improving facilities to attract tourists under the Blue Flag beach project. The pathway constructed for people with disabilities is neglected," said S Vaishnavi, a wheelchair user who visited Marina Beach. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "When we visited the beach, the ramp was damaged. Our wheelchair could not move forward. Differently abled people are not always aware of such damage in advance, they come all the way to the beach for some fresh air. We return without enjoying the visit," she said. A senior GCC official said that a major revamp will be carried out on the wooden ramp at Marina Beach at an estimated cost of 85 lakh. The work is expected to begin shortly.
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Disabled people protest in Chennai for hike in monthly aid
CHENNAI: Demanding an increase in financial assistance for persons with disabilities (PwDs) and employment under the MGNREGA scheme, members of the Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC) staged protest in Chennai on Tuesday. Protesters were detained by the police in marriage halls, while many others were placed under preventive detention in various districts to prevent them from reaching Chennai. 'The monthly financial aid for PwDs in TN starts from Rs 1,500, whereas in Andhra Pradesh, it begins from Rs 6,000. We want the state government to increase the amount on a par with AP Additionally, over one lakh applications submitted to the revenue and differently-abled departments are still awaiting approval,' said S Namburajan, state vice-president of TARATDAC. The association also urged the government to ensure 100 days of employment to PwDs under the MGNREGA and revoke the recent order mandating eight hours of work. Namburajan said over 6,000 protesters were detained in halls without adequate water and toilet facilities. The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled condemned the detentions, calling the move 'insensitive.' 'This action by the TN police is utterly reprehensible,' the organisation said in a statement. The CPM also slammed the police's alleged high-handedness in handling the protest.
