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
  • Accessibility
  • Not one disabled-friendly public toilet in 19 states, reveals RTI

Not one disabled-friendly public toilet in 19 states, reveals RTI

Symbol of accessible toilet
Accessibility January 15, 2020
  • 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

Access to disabled-friendly toilets is one of the goals of the ambitious Swachh Bharat Mission programme launched by the Centre over five years ago. Just how far India is from getting there is clear from an RTI filed by disability rights advocate Akeel Usmani. The RTI reveals that of the 35 states and union territories in India, 19 do not have even one accessible community or public toilet. That’s our focus on #StoryOfTheWeek.

Some of India’s richest states rank among 19 states and union territories that are yet to build a single disabled-friendly public or community toilet. This is the state of affairs over five years after the Centre launched the ambitious Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and over three years after the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act came into force.

India’s richest states lack disabled-friendly toilets

Akeel Ahmad Usmani, Disability rights advocate.

Among the 19 are states like Punjab, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. Of the rest, Delhi ranks number one but with a meagre 1616 public and community toilets each. Chhattisgarh ranks second with 1035 community toilets and a disgraceful 100 public toilets.

This information has come to light after an RTI was filed by disability rights advocate Akeel Ahmad Usmani. In March 2019, Akeel filed an RTI with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs asking how many public toilets had been built by the government of India and whether they were accessible as mandated under the RPWD Act.

Over three years have passed since the RPWD Act was passed but the government has done little by way of implementation. We finally have a law that is rights-based but little has changed on the ground. The RTI is evidence of that poor implementation. There are many court judgements that have clearly stated that the right to an accessible public toilet is a fundamental right. So is the right to life with dignity. Disabled people have the same rights as non-disabled people and accessible toilets must be built on a priority basis. – Akeel Ahmad Usmani, Disability rights advocate

The RTI findings reveal the extent of apathy towards the needs of the disabled community. Even a state like Kerala, which is known for its inclusion initiatives, has just one disabled-friendly community toilet and 10 accessible public toilets.

Disabled-friendly toilets key target of accessible India campaign

The findings, says well-known disability rights leader Arman Ali, reveal the shortcomings in the government approach towards disability issues.

“This shows the limited capacity in terms of understanding the rights of people with disabilities by the government”, says Arman, who is the Executive Director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP). “If you put everything on the Department of Disability Affairs, this is going to be the result”. The lack of intent, he says, is amply clear. “The approach towards the disabled community is one of welfare and charity. It is completely missing from the agenda of development and whatever is being done is in silos”.

Given this state of affairs, the new deadline of March 2020 set by the Centre to achieve the targets of the Accessible India Campaign seem very ambitious.

Watch in Sign Language

Also Read:

  • Lack of accessible toilets in India makes public places a nightmare for disabled women
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

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Get-hooked
    Matthew Walzer’s letter continues to make an impact nearly 10 years later
  • Technology
    Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy
  • Get-hooked
    “Find ways to help yourself” – Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha’s powerful message for women with disabilities
  • Get-hooked
    Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day

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

Close up of blind cook Christine Ha

Get-hooked

“Find ways to help yourself” – Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha’s powerful message for women with disabilities

Images of the 5 apps featured in article

Technology

Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy

Matthew Walzer is wearing a blue shirt

Get-hooked

Matthew Walzer’s letter continues to make an impact nearly 10 years later

Christine Ha has covered her eyes and the words how you see me are on the back of her hand

Get-hooked

Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Understanding Rett Syndrome

Coronavirus-news

New ‘Sesame Street’ video teaches kids with autism how to wear a mask

Get-hooked

Cart With Heart aims to create self employment opportunities for people with disabilities across India

Technology

#TechThursdays - EMx turns the spotlight on early intervention & inclusive education in the 3rd edition

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.