Venkaiah releases norms for welfare of elderly, disabled

Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday released guidelines for providing “barrier-free” environment for the elderly and persons with disability in government and private buildings, saying the requirements of the two communities need to be addressed.

The objective of issuing the guidelines is to provide easy accessibility and barrier-free environment for the elderly and persons with disabilities in public places and buildings, Naidu said.

“It will help in policy formulation for making cities inclusive where needs (of disabled and elderly persons) are addressed,” he said, while releasing a report containing the guidelines.

The report titled ‘Harmonised guidelines and space standards for barrier free environment for persons with disability and elderly persons’ was drafted by the Urban Development Ministry.

Naidu said the guidelines would also guide city authorities, while considering projects of urban design or public buildings.

Naidu said the guidelines will support and give thrust to the ‘Accessible India Campaign’, which seeks to make transport, government buildings, tourist spots, airports, railway stations and Internet technology friendly for differently-abled people.

“The guidelines are in sync with the international standards,” he said.