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by Elmo Leonard

Wednesday, March 15 is World Consumer Day and in Colombo, the general secretary of IDIRIYA, Dr Ajith C S Perera called for that day to be dedicated to those who are not consumers, meaning those who are physically handicapped in this country and thus prevented from engaging in normal commerce such as purchasing.

Today, around 25 percent of people in Sri Lanka are disabled in one way or another. They have little chance to be consumers, because the local infrastructure often do not accommodate their disabilities.

But, this problem could be largely overcome by designing the country's living environment (meaning public buildings and places) and even privately owned property for the use of the disabled and the differently abled, was the theme at a seminar on 'Enabling environments for all'.

Regulations for access to public buildings and public places by the disabled is now before Parliament.

The disabled include the aged, victims of road accidents, those who have faced man-made and natural disasters and debilitating medical conditions. The blind, deaf and even pregnant mothers are also counted in this category.

Dr Perera called upon architects and builders, who he said are custodians of the country's environment to design and construct buildings which are accessible to the handicapped. It would not be an expense, but an investment, he said.

In Europe and all advanced countries, all public places including railway stations, airports, parks and commercial entertainment places are accessible for the disabled. Sri Lanka has to follow.

Dr Perera said that many handicapped tourists keep away from Sri Lanka because Sri Lanka lacks the infrastructure for disabled persons.

The benefits of enabling environments include encouraging innate human potential; enhancing self-reliance; making most people productive; increasing opportunities for gainful employment, recreation, shopping, banking, education, communication and travel; reducing poverty and minimising unwanted dependence and brings more customers into business.

Secretary general of George Steuart and Co Ltd, S. Skandakumar described IDIRIYA as a not-for-profit humanitarian service voluntary organisation.

Its work is totally focused on eduction, awareness and advocacy on matters and issues concerning gravely rising social problems of national importance. Its aim is to induce positive change in the attitudes of the decision makers at the highest level.

Secretary to the Ministry of Social Services Mrs V Jegarajasingham said that Sri Lanka has to use all the disabled people for the development of the country.

Consultant, National Secretariat of Disabled People, Dr Mrs Neela Gunasekera said that while 53 percent of Sri Lanka's population are women, many women are employed overseas and contribute to the economy of the nation. Thus, when women are disabled, there should be better ways of caring for them.

A former principal of the School of Physiotherapy, Mrs Theera Fernando said that the aged should be given every opportunity to be physically and mentally active for as long as they could and even as a means of helping the economy.

Productivity consultant, Lal Fonseka said that higher productivity is needed for the uplift of the nation; Sri Lanka being far behind Hong Kong for instance. The day would not be far when 30 percent of Sri Lanka's people would be elderly and that human resource must be harnessed.

Former secretary general, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and ex chairman of the Ceylon Tourist Board, Renton de Alwis said that there is a corporate responsibility for firms to employ disabled people.

Chairman, Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) Dr A. R. L. Wijesinghe said that SLSI could lay down standards to construct buildings which could be used by the disabled, but, it was up to the owners of the building to conform to such standard specifications.

Media consultant, Edwin Ariyadasa called upon the media to take up the issue in question.

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