Dilli Haat 2002-06: Conducted access audit of Dilli Haat (a popular Tourist spot in Delhi) to make it "Accessible to All". Delhi Tourism & Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC), Government of Delhi; implemented the recommendations forwarded in 2003-05. The changes include- leveling of front plaza flooring, demarcated pathway, lowering of ticket counter, merging of level differences, 27 small and big ramps with handrails and unisex accessible toilet (first accessible toilet in a tourist place). Dilli Haat received National Award (President's Award) for Promotion of Barrier Free Environment on 3rd December 2005, International World Disability Day. Currently Samarthyam is providing Design standards for upcoming Haats in the country.
In 2008, Samarthyam was invited by Deputy Engineer (Construction), Northern Railways (NR) to vet the plans. Samarthyam’s Access Resource Group provided technical knowhow of engineering configuration of tactile tiles for persons with vision impairment; entrance ramp and handrails; reserved lowered ticket counter and drinking water unit; layout and internal design of accessible washrooms and bathing area along with Braille and pictogram signages for all facilities. Engineering wing of NR revised the drawings in light of user-friendly facilities for persons with diverse disabilities and reduced mobility (senior citizens, pregnant women, families with young children, persons carrying heavy luggage, temporary ill, etc.).
Construction is complete in Anand Vihar Railway station in East Delhi. Samarthyam has helped NR in designing an accessible subway which has ramps on either ends and it connects all platforms there by giving the safe and friendly solution to access all platforms without crossing over the tracks (which is practiced in other stations). A reserved parking lot has been designed at the Anand Vihar station for persons with disabilities. There are two ramps at the entrance and several ramps connect various amenities. 6 lifts have been provided to connect all the floors. Samarthyam worked out the location, size and placement of Unisex Accessible toilet and other public facilities. Washroom, bathroom accessories and signages for Anand Vihar and Nizamudin station is designed by Samarthyam. There are 6 accessible toilets constructed in Anand Vihar and two such toilets are operational in Nizamuddin.
New Delhi railway station has also got a facelift and is modernized for the Commonwealth Games 2010. The fully air conditioned revamped station has now a world class facility spread over an area of 250 acres. The station is built on the lines of the New York Central station and matches with Connaught Place looks with an investment to the tune of Rs. 25 crore. The three storey complex also has provision of lifts to connect all the floors, thereby making it easier and comfortable to be used by persons with disabilities and senior citizens. Indian Railways for the first time has also introduced passenger ferry vehicle at New Delhi Railway station which is accessible for persons with reduced mobility.
Accessible Andaman, post-Tsunami, 2005-07: Supporting Pioneering Efforts for Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Disabled People in the Andaman Islands, Samarthyam organized a series of training workshops for PWD engineers and architects in Port Blair and Rangat, Middle Andaman. Trainings enabled the professionals and government officers to lobby and advocate for universal accessibility thereby resulting in Universal Design features in up gradation/renovation of public spaces.
National Rural Housing & Habitat Policy, 2007: Organized the State Level (Delhi) Focus Group Discussion on “National Rural Housing and Habitat Policy” to Government of India on 19th Feb 2007; joint venture of Samarthyam, Poorest Areas Civil Society Programme (PACS) supported by Department for International Development (DFID). The objective of the consultation workshop was to provide to the current nationwide discussion process, on the proposed Policy and initiate a dialogue on addressing issues of Universal Design in rural India through mainstream policies. The Focus Group Discussion was attended by 36 people from Civil Society Organizations (CSO), DPOs and NGOs including National Institutions under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. Government of India support compliance of barrier free environment in the Policy recently introduced.
First National Conference on Accessible Transportation- “Mobility for All”, 2006: In academic collaboration with 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, stake holders 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 Union Tourism Ministry, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India and the Corporate Sector.
Post Earthquake reconstruction work in Gujarat, July 2003:Samarthyam facilitated series of 8 sensitization workshops organized by Handicap International in Ahmadabad, Bhuj and Vadodra for:
- Architects and Town Planners & members from Municipal bodies etc., Ahmadabad;
- Architecture and Interior Design Schools, Ahmadabad;
- Faculty and students of School of Interior Design, Ahmadabad;
- School of Architecture, Vadodra;
- National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmadabad;
- Schools and colleges, Ahmadabad;
- Academic Institutions and
- NGO’s and Development Organizations.
