Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • ‘My Beach Too’ – Chennai accessibility campaign makes a splash

‘My Beach Too’ – Chennai accessibility campaign makes a splash

Get-hooked December 14, 2017
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

Going to Marina Beach in Chennai was always a project for Unmul Khair, who grew up in the city.

“I always wanted to the beach, but never could because its inaccessible”, says Khair, who is a wheelchair-user working with Vidya Sagar, a city NGO. “I have to take many people along just to push my wheelchair. One or two people are not enough and that feels odd”.

Vidya Sagar has been working for decades in the field of disability rights, with a focus on accessibility, employment, education and lobbying with the government.

Marina Beach, is the world’s second largest and central to Chennai’s culture. The lack of access for the disabled and the elderly is something Khair felt very keenly about. It led her to launch a petition on Change.org.

In 2016 Vidya Sagar launched a program demanding greater accessibility to the city’s beaches. This year too the NGO ran a weeklong campaign starting from 3 December. This ended on 10 December, which is marked as Human Rights Day across the world.

Last year on WDD, the students of Vidya Sagar called the concerned civic authority about the issue and a temporary pathway was built at Marina Beach. Over this year, there have been many meetings between DRAI, Vidya Sagar and corporation authorities, but nothing had moved. The path is still not smooth and it is difficult to push wheelchairs- Bhavna Botta, Member, Disability Rights Alliance of India

Khair says the corporation promised to build permanent pathways near all the beaches and arrangements were made for mobile toilets, but not enough thought and planning went into it. As a result, the wheelchairs cannot go inside the toilets as the doors are narrow.

We did an access audit with the DRAI and worked on the accessibility features based on the Coastal Regulation Zone regulations. But we don’t have a permanent structure so far- Unmul Khair, Petitioner, NGO Vidya Sagar

Concerns that the Chennai Corporation cannot turn a blind eye to for much longer going by the energy on display on Sunday at Besant Nagar beach, on the final day of the campaign.

Various people gathered to push for accessible pathways to not just the water, but also beach wheelchairs and public toilets. Signatures of support were collected and these will be submitted to the Commissioner, Greater Chennai Municipal Corporation.

Hopefully this show of support will translate into Chennai citizens getting access to what is a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution.

RELATED: Chennai’s Marina & Elliot beaches will soon get pathways for physically disabled visitors

Watch in Sign Language

0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Multiple Sclerosis does not affect Anjali's love for Cooking

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Employment,Independent Living
    My journey from a hearing impaired individual to a Social Changemaker
  • Education
    National Education Policy 2020 : Disability perpectives
  • Accessibility
    Prof Stephen Hawking is the inspiration for this budding astrophysicist with CP
  • Accessibility
    Top 10 Accessible Brands & Brand Campaigns Globally
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities still a distant hope in India (series 1 of 3)

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Woman getting her eyes tested

Get-hooked

#GlaucomaAwarenessMonth – Early detection & treatment is critical to prevent permanent vision loss

Tuhin Dey in a wheelchair with his mother

Accessibility

Prof Stephen Hawking is the inspiration for this budding astrophysicist with CP

Accessibility

Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities still a distant hope in India (series 1 of 3)

Employment

My journey from a hearing impaired individual to a Social Changemaker

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Understanding Rare Diseases

Get-hooked

Micah, boy with autism tells name for first time & Internet cannot stop adoring the cute video!

Get-hooked

Samadhan Goyam is changing the lives of children in meaningful ways

Get-hooked

At Sristi village, people with intellectual disabilities get the opportunity to find their potential

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.