Publications & Research

Samarthyam’s wide range of research papers and technical publications aimed at advancing accessibility, inclusion, and universal design to bridge the policy and implementation gap

Publications

Since 1998, Samarthyam has published several research papers, journal articles, and other published works, which are as follows:

  • Authored, Make the Right Real: the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2016, Flipbook, 2024
  • Co-author, Design Guidelines for Safer Commute to Schools, Indian Roads Congress, 2022 
  • Authored, Accessibility Code for Educational Institutions, Ministry of Education, Government of India, 2021
  • Authored, Accessibility Guidelines for Sports Complex and Residential Facilities for Sports Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of India, 2021
  • Authored, Access for All Guidelines, Concise Version of National Building Code 2016 with American Indian Foundation, 2019
  • Authored, Guide Book on Making Schools Accessible for Children with Disabilities, UNICEF India, 2018
  • Co-authored, IRC: SP:117-2018, Manual on Universal Accessibility for Urban Roads & Streets, Indian Roads Congress, 2018 
  • Co-authored, Urban Roads Manual, Indian Roads Congress, 2018
  • Co-authored, Part 3, National Building Code 2016, Bureau of India Standards, 2016
  • Authored, Guidelines on Health Services and Facilities for Women with Disabilities, USAID, 2016
  • Co-authored, Harmonized Guidelines And Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly Persons, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, 2016 
  • Authored, “Training Manual to promote Universal Design- Training of Trainers on Access Audits”, Third Edition, Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), 2015
  • Authored, Handbook Air Travel:  Sensitization and Training, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, 2015
  • Co-authored, Practitioner’s Manual on Inclusive WASH: Schools and Public Spaces, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, 2015
  • Co-authored, School Audit Toolkit, UNICEF India, 2014
  • Co-authored, Universal Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian, Non-motorised Vehicles and Public Transportation, 2014
  • Authored, Guidelines on Barrier free Environment for Children with Disabilities in Schools, DFID and VSO, UK, 2014
  • Technical Brochures on “Access for All” and “Internal & External Design Considerations”, for Professionals, Administrators and Planners, published by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India and Samarthyam, 2014-15
  • Authored, Guidelines on Universal Design in Hospitals & Residential Facilities, 2014
  • Authored, Universal Design Toolkit on Public Transit Systems: Facilities & Services, 2013
  • Co-authored Universal Signage & Wayfinding Design Guidelines, 2012
  • Co-authored IRC: 103 Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities for Indian Roads Congress, 2012
  • Co-authored UTTIPEC Street Design Guidelines for Government of NCT Delhi, India, 2012
  • Authored, Access Advocacy Toolkit for VSO India, DFID and CBM, 2012
  • Co-authored, “Training Manual to promote Universal Design- Training of Trainers on Access Audits”, Second Edition, published by Rehabilitation Council of India, Government of India, 2009 
  • Authored, “Handbook on Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction” for Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Government of Delhi, which was used by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as guidelines for inclusion of persons with disabilities in disasters, 2009
  • Authored, Access ABCD- Booklet on Barrier Free Environment in Internal Design Considerations for persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities published by for National Trust, Government of India, 2007
  • Authored chapters in “Work Book for In-service Teachers”, on Barrier Free Environment in Inclusive School published by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), 2007
  • Authored chapter in “Handbook of Inclusive Education for Educators, Administrators and Planners”, published by SAGE Publications; New Delhi/Thousand Oaks/London, 2005
  • Authored, first edition of “Training Manual to promote Barrier Free Environment- Guidelines for Training of Trainers”, published by Rehabilitation Council of India, Government of India, 2004
  • Co-authored, Technical Brochures on “Right of Way” & “Traffic Police & Hum Tum” for Professionals, Administrators and Planners published by National Trust, MSJE, Government of India and Samarthyam (1998-2019)

Research

Our Research Projects

Samarthyam has spearheaded the inclusion of accessibility standards in the national guidelines and codes through research. These codes/ guidelines are adopted by concerned ministries and departments of Government of India and UN agencies for reference and use by architects, engineers, planners and designers, etc. 

For whom

Academic institutions, CSOs, government and non-government organizations, UN agencies, professionals, and service providers, etc. Disability inclusive design elements Toolkit and Handbook for accessible schools have been developed and incorporated in four major guidelines and codes of Government of India. 

  • Schools for All and development of School Audit Toolkit, UNICEF, 2018-2023
  • Building Partnerships and Empowering the Organizations of People with Disabilities (OPDs) and women with disabilities leaders on SDGs in India, Sightsavers and European Union, 2018-2022
  • Development of Guidelines for children with disabilities to protect them from abuse, sexual harassment, trafficking etc., National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Government of India, 2017-18
  • A Rapid Desk Based Study on Disability Considerations for Infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, DFID, 2016 [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/57a08954ed915d3cfd0001c4/EoD_HDYr3_21_40_March_2016_Disability_Infrastructure.pdf]
  • Accessibility & Safety Audit Research, Redevelopment of the Bandra Station, Mumbai; UNESCO, 2015                               
  • Universal Accessibility in Walkability, Non-Motorised Vehicles and Public Transport  Infrastructure, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, 2014
  • WASH Facilities for Persons with Disabilities in Jharkhand, India, 2013
  • Anthropometrics of Persons with Disabilities: Users of Mobility & Other Aids. New Delhi, DFID, VSO and Government of India, 2012-13 
  • Accessibility Research and Comparative Analysis of Building Standards & Regulations, DFID, VSO and Government of India, 2011
  • Building Bye-Laws in various states of India, Government of India, 2010
  • Action Oriented Research Project On Community Accessibility & Inclusion Audit, World Vision, 2010
  • “Research on Right of Way in Road & Street Infrastructure for Persons with Severe Disabilities”, National Trust, Government of India, 2008
  • “Road Safety Aspects and Street Infrastructure for Persons with disabilities and Elderly” with implementation strategies for 1 km area in Central Delhi,  Government of NCT Delhi, 2006-07 
  •  “Research & Design for making of Braille Registration plates and Audio Meters in Auto Rickshaws”, Government of NCT Delhi, 2006-07 
  • “Implementation of user-friendly Public Transport Systems (Bus & Bus Shelters) in Delhi”,  Action Aid, 2006
  • “Promotion of user-friendly Public Transport Systems (Bus & Bus Shelters) in India”,  Action Aid, 2005
  • “Accessibility of Indian Railways”, Government of India, 2005 : the research report was used by the Delhi High Court for making Indian Railways stations and coaches accessible.
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