Differently abled find little help in government hospitals

The need to make the state differently abled friendly has been a topic of discussion not only among activists, but also among officials as well. However, even as awareness has increased, important institutions like government hospitals have poor facilities to meet the actual requirements of the needy

Chennai: 

Everyone, especially the hospitals, agrees about inclusiveness and the need to remain sensitive to the needs of the differently abled. And they build ramps and fix railings, which is where all the efforts end, say activists who have been seeking facilities for people with different disabilities. There are no facilities for the visually, and hearing and speech impaired; there are no helpdesks for the differently abled; and accessing toilets remains a struggle for them say critics. 

Under the ‘Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment for Differently abled persons and Elderly Persons’ issued by the Urban Development Ministry in March 2016, Section 33 explains the rules for accessibility standards for public buildings.

“However, despite the introduction of the guidelines, the government itself is not following it. The government buildings themselves are not equipped. While efforts are made to stress on such requirements, hospitals only take steps to introduce ramps and similar facilities,” said Kasim Basith, Founder of ‘We are Your Voice’, an NGO that focusses on helping the differently abled get jobs. 

While ramps are important for persons with physical disabilities, the other disabilities seems to have been forgotten, added Smitha Sadasivan, an activist from the Vidya Sagar school for the differently abled. 

“With no measures to help persons with vision, speech and hearing impairment, and the lack of a helpdesk dedicated to the differently abled, government hospitals continue to be inaccessible,” she added.

A survey that the Vidya Sagar conducted recently found hospitals and clinics across the state seriously lacking on a variety of counts – providing parking for persons with disabilities, disabled-friendly public toilets and the availability of information/reports in accessible formats such as braille. Some hospitals, Smitha added, did not allow them to conduct the survey. 

At the government hospitals, it is the visually challenged who struggle the most, said Basith, pointing out the difficulty they face in even understanding what the doctor has written in the prescription. Another is the speech and hearing impaired. Stressing on the need for the staff to have sign language training, he added, “It is important for the hospitals to introduce such programme as well.” 

Recalling another instance, Basith pointed out the example of a 20-year-old orthopaedically challenged orphan girl who had met with an accident. “Our volunteers accompanied her to the hospital and helped in whatever way they could. But taking her to the toilet and other such requirements were difficult for the male volunteers. The hospital must have someone to assist persons who come there in such situations.”

While enquiring with the hospital administrations about the facilities available, most were quick and confident in citing ramps with railings – until they were asked about the other facilities. 

“We have ramps and railings at all buildings, as accessibility is important. Also, we have battery-operated cars available in front of the casualty ward,” said Dr K Vasanthamani, dean, Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital. 

However, toilet facilities for the differently abled were available only at important parts of the hospital, she admitted. “We do not have any instructions available in braille and no one at the helpdesk knows sign language. However, if there is a need, we can train them.” 

At the Stanley Medical College and Hospital, even ramps and railings are available only in the new block. “In the old block, we have only lifts. We have separate toilets for the differently abled, but there are no facilities available for the visually challenged and the speech and hearing impaired,” admitted Dr Dhansekaran Krishnan, the Deputy Medical Superintendent.

City Health Officer, Dr Senthil Nathan said they have asked for wheelchairs and ramps at all Urban Primary Health Centres. But they did not have the wherewithal to support the introduction of prescriptions and other documents in braille, or to train staff in sign language, he said. 

“Those with vision or speech impairment visiting the UPHCs are very minimal. The rare ones who come are always accompanied by an attender, who takes the responsibility of speaking to the doctor on their behalf,” he said.

Model hospital 

Amid such examples of poor initiatives and lack of adherence to guidelines, the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) stands as a model. “Besides ramps and railings for all buildings, we also have battery-operated cars that take patients to all Out Patient and In Patient wards, and specially designed toilets on every floor in every wing. Also, our staff on the helpdesk have been trained to serve the differently abled as well,” said dean Dr R Jayanthi. However, this hospital, too, lacks facilities for the visually impaired.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO MAKE A BUILDING DIFFERENTLY ABLED FRIENDLY?

• Ramps with hand rail throughout building. (Entry/ Level/Floor Transit/Exit)
• Parking facilities for persons with disabilities.
• Accessibility indicators for directions in Braille/Tactile, Signage, Audio Visual (Bi-lingual in capitals/Large size/In bright colours) 
• Special personnel for assisting persons with disability
• Wheelchair accommodative Lifts with Braille/Signage/ Audio announcement systems 
• Availability of Information/Reports in accessible formats such as in: Braille document, Sign language, Plain document/Large print (On request)
• Sign Language/Communication Interpreters
• Disabled-friendly public restrooms.
• Adequate number of Wheelchairs.
• 24/7 Accessible Emergency preparation/Exit measures/Fire alarms/Fire extinguishers
• Accessible helpline mechanisms such as phones, buzzers, vibrators etc. with contacts displayed in large print/informed to clients.