2010 - 2001

50 prime buildings of Ministry of Urban Development

Further impetus from the UNCRPD has led to access audits and retrofits of 50 public buildings of CPWD in New Delhi in partnership with the Ministry of Urban Development (now known as Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs), Government of India. These 50 buildings and prime government buildings and campuses such as Prime Minister Office (PMO), President House (Rashtrapati Bhawan), Supreme Court, North and South Block, including museums like the National Museum, NGMA, National Archives, etc.

Connaught Place inner circle and 1 km radius in New Delhi was made accessible with NDMC before the Commonwealth Games. The project showcased that access audits implementation enables refurbishment with access features in external environments also. This is one example.

2010

Access audits undertaken are as follows:

• Parliament of India

• CWG Organizing Committee and Government of NCT Delhi

• Walkability Audits- of CWG stadiums and roads infrastructure,

• Nehru Memorial, Planetarium and Museum

• Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology (SLIET), Longowal, Punjab

2009

Access audits undertaken are as follows:

• World Health Organization, Regional Office for South- East Asia, New Delhi

• IGNOU campus

• North Delhi Power Limited, Corporate office

• Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Corporate Office

• Postal Staff College India and Hostel building, Ghaziabad

2008

Access audits undertaken are as follows:

• University of Delhi- 147 colleges covering North and South Campus

• Accessible Delhi Project in partnership with Rajiv Gandhi Foundation - 20 public buildings including transport sites

• IIT, Kanpur Campus

• Andaman Islands- Hadoo Jetty and Transport terminuses (Bus stands)

• Accessible Plazas at Emporia Complex, Connaught Place, New Delhi: Pradeep Sachdeva Design Associates (PSDA) was commissioned to design the space in front of the Emporia Complex buildings near Connaught Place by the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC). Samarthyam conducted access audits of the Emporia complex and provided recommendations to make the site universally accessible.

2007

Access audits of 3 Govt. Hospitals, Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities

• Following the success of Dilli Haat, INA with the addition of accessible elements post-occupancy, the Government of NCT Delhi got a much needed impetus to promote barrier free environments. In partnership with Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC) and Architect Mr. Pradeep Sachdeva, Samarthyam promoted inclusive design in the Garden of Five Senses and Plazas at Emporia Complex, Connaught Place in Delhi. Many Haats were built throughout the country to celebrate “Accessibility and Inclusive” marketplace.

“Mobility for All”: First Conference on Accessible Transportation

In academic collaboration with the Transportation Research & Injury Prevention Programme (TRIPP) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, 17-19 March 2006. The very purpose of this Conference was to bring the Government, service providers, stakeholders and user groups on one platform and Draft Implementation Policies and Guidelines on “National Policy on Accessible Transportation” addressing the concerns of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and senior citizens. This National Conference was the first endeavor of its kind in the country, supported by the Union Tourism Ministry, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India and the Corporate Sector.

Policy Advocacy on Accessible Public Transport Systems

Samarthyam advocated for National Urban Transport Policy after the first National Conference on “Mobility for All”, held in New Delhi, thus resulting in the first transport policy in India with inclusive mobility sections. In 2014, the NUTP was amended again to comply with UNCRPD and the RPWD Act 2016 and stipulates universal design and universal accessibility in its preamble.

Bus-Queue-Shelters (BQS)

Samarthyam’s advocacy and sustained implementation strategies have resulted in universal accessibility in public transport infrastructure. Samarthyam provides universal design elements to make the buses and bus shelters accessible for people with disabilities, elderly, children and women. Our collaboration with State and Central (federal) Governments, State Transport Authorities, service providers, and public transit agencies have paved the way for implementation of accessible bus shelters and low floor buses in the country.

2006

Access audits undertaken are as follows:

• India Habitat Centre

• India International Centre

• Indian Institute of Public Administration

• VSO, India office

2005

2004-2019, Indian Railways- RDSO and ICF – Design of prototype accessible railways coaches

2004-2015, Dilli Haat (INA, Pitampura & Janakpuri) vibrant urban space in the heart of Delhi provides a rich cultural and interactive tourist experience for people of all ages. Accessible features including ramps, railings, even flooring and accessible toilets were added in 2004-06 that have made it inclusive for all visitors and artisans.

2004-2010, BRTS, Delhi with IIT Delhi and design of low floor buses.

Low Floor Buses

To create an accessible bus, Samarthyam in association with Transport Research & Injury Prevention Programme (TRIPP), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, worked with the bus manufacturer, TATA Motors. The design of the buses consisted of wide doors, transit ramps, designated wheelchair space, public information systems with audio & digital display, colour contrast handrails and stanchions, illuminated destination and route signs. LFB is now the in-demand public transportation system and Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai and many other cities are having accessible LFB due to Samarthyam’s advocacy with State Transport Authorities.

A year which saw the light of the ‘Accessible & Inclusive India' through the formation of the first Indian Access Auditors Committee “Access for All” by the O/o the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of India. Two Samarthyam’s team members were nominated as the Empanelled Access Auditors for the built environment. Several training workshops of decision makers, service providers and audits were undertaken in this year followed by development of “India National Accessibility Standards”.

In Feb. 2004, two Samarthyam’s team members were also trained by JICA and APCD

Non Handicapping Workshop for National Trainers and Policy Makers facilitated by UN ESCAP at Bangko, Thailand.

2004

Access audits undertaken are as follows:

• New Delhi Railway Station

• Kirti Nagar Reservation Centre

• Nizamuddin Railway Station

• Sarai Kale Khan Station

2003

Graduation in Non-Handicapping Environment by United States

This year was a golden year for Samarthyam Team to be trained by UN ESCAP on “Training of Trainers Non-Handicapping Environment”. The Graduation Course aimed at training on access audits, national international accessibility codes and advocacy with the Government on promotion of accessible environments.

Advocacy with Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation, Government of NCT, Delhi and Delhi Metro Corporation Limited to make the Dilli Haat and Metro Stations accessible was carried out after the training.

2002

Samarthyam got registered under the Trust Act of India as not-for-profit (charitable) Trust

Samarthyam in partnership with the French Architects of Auroville worked for two years to make the entire Auroville accessible. The project aimed at access audits of Matri Mandir and other tourist places, solar kitchen, guest houses, auditoriums and external paths, etc. Team “Accessible Auroville'' also supported ‘sensitization and awareness raising’ workshops facilitated by Samarthyam team. An accessibility code was developed to ensure accessibility continuum in all new constructions.

2001