Meghalaya’s architects & engineers get critical training in conducting accessibility audits

CBM India, an NGO that works to promote community-based disability inclusive development across India, recently held a programme to build the capacities of architects and civil engineers in Meghalaya in conducting accessibility audits.

This came soon after CBM held an Accessibility Audit for 24 government buildings in Shillong.

In 2015, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities launched a nationwide Accessible India campaign.

The campaign, which is in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, aims at creating barrier free societies for disabled people across India. Key to this is making government infrastructure accessible to people with disabilities.

While doing the Accessibility Audit for Shillong, CBM also identified and collaborated with the local Architect and Civil Engineering College. It organized trainings on universal design, accessibility standards, and access audits for members of disability rights groups, students, government architects and engineers.

Some of the trainees also conducted accessibility audits along with CBM for some hands-on learning experience. Based on the findings of this audit, the central government has allocated funds for renovating 24 buildings to make them accessible for disabled people.

In Meghalaya, CBM trained 45 architects and civil engineers to conduct accessibility assessments.

The trained officials will then conduct the accessibility assessments of 51 other government buildings in the state by the middle of 2018.

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