Chapter 7: Universal Public Designs

Introduction

•    The aim of every state in a diverse society is to grant its inhabitants equitable access. Giving everyone access and fostering a sense of community are two key components of inclusion.
•    Architecture has a crucial aspect called accessibility infrastructure. The special-needs quotient of demography and disability as an asocial category have some consequences for it.
•    Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan was started by India as a respectable step towards long-term objectives in universal designs.
•    The term "universal design" refers to the process by which architects and engineers take into account users of all abilities and their accessibility needs while creating public amenities and areas. The universal or inclusive design offers a comprehensive method for creating public areas and utilities.
•    Infrastructure for people with impairments assumes another level of architecture when it comes to physical-public domain design.
•    Housing solutions are frequently standardised for regular users rather than for those with special needs. A holistic approach to developing public areas and utilities is made possible by universal or inclusive design.

About Universal Design

•    In any circumstance, inclusive designs must have three key components.
•    One is the organization's commitment to or social responsibility in developing inclusionary strategies.
•    The second is the compensation for the organisations that start these changes, and the third is the long-term viability of these projects.
•    The UNCRPD, which focuses on the rights of people with disabilities, is another source of inspiration for universal design.
•    It draws attention to the sovereign government's obligation to make improvements because accessibility is a legal requirement.

Principles and Approaches:

•    No matter how differently able a person is, every person should be able to use a piece of architecture equally.
•    A piece of architecture should be versatile in its application.
•    An architectural design must be of high quality and be easy to utilise.
•    A piece of architecture should be able to clearly communicate its layout.
•    A piece of architecture should have the ability to overlook mistakes made by people with disabilities.
•    An architectural design should be easy to use or access and require little physical effort.
•    A piece of architecture should have enough room and size for its intended usage.

Challenges:

•    Accentuating the importance of such initiatives at the policy level and at the execution level is a significant obstacle in making such reforms.
•    The goal of inclusive design is to create structures that are truly pleasant and simple for everyone to use, including streets, public parks, gardens, and other outdoor areas.
•    The lack of structural expertise among construction workers and difficulties of accessibility make it difficult to make the small adjustments necessary for universal designs.
•    Sugamya Bharat was created after taking into account all potential gaps. A comprehensive approach is needed in a nation with such a diversified structure to address the problems already there.

Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan

•    The government of India started the Accessible India Campaign on December 3, 2015 on World Disability Day, as a nationwide initiative to achieve universal accessibility for people with disabilities.
•    The built environment, the transportation industry, and the IT ecosystem are its three key parts.
•    The programme stipulates that in order to identify accessible structures, annual accessibility audits must be conducted to ascertain whether a facility complies with set standards.
•    The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan has made a commendable effort, but the Department of Empowerment of People with Disabilities is currently developing a comprehensive code that will represent an Indian first in the context of universal design.

Implications:

•    People with diverse abilities can receive a high level of governance in all areas of public work by using an integrated strategy that takes into account the end users' feedback.
•    Everyone benefits from an accessible physical environment, not just people with disabilities.
•    Accessibility removes hurdles and barriers to indoor and outdoor amenities, such as jobs, schools, and healthcare facilities.
•    The state will indirectly benefit from universal design by encouraging the world to visit India's well-known tourism destinations.