Spectrum | Sundayobserver.lk

Dr. Ajith Perera in a laudable voluntary mission

A life on the brink of blossoming out with two international careers in Cricket and in Chemistry, was thwarted with the fall of a tree on his moving car in Colombo to leave Perera, a former senior manager/director in industry, instantaneously a wheelchair user for life.

Now, by reason of personal adversity, the best out of him has emerged. Unhesitatingly and in the greater interest of the country, he has utilised his remaining assets and skills in the form of higher education, wide knowledge and practical experience to turn voluntarily a disability activist, an accessibility consultant on 'Enabling Environments', and accomplished author, writer, speaker and presenter.

He is also the founder and Hony. Secretary-General of IDIRIYA, a not-for-profit humanitarian service organisation born from his passion and commitment for creating environments that are 'enabling for all'.

Parliament complex of Sri Lanka, UDA, Dehiwala Municipal Council, Mount Lavinia Post Office, Astron, HSBC, HNB, the British Council, Taj Samudra, Taj Airport Hotel are just a few of many organisations that have benefited from his competence and commitment.

Dr. Perera is an 'Eye opener' to the world. Although now a wheelchair user, like many others, he has repeatedly proved the diverse Ability and a wealth of untapped potential in him.

Sri Lanka can no more afford to let go waste these precious resources!

Pic: Chinthaka Kumarasinghe

Had you ever tried to write with your leg or thread a needle blindfolded you would know what disability means. But there are people the world over for whom such activities are a part of their day-to-day life. To refer to them as 'disabled' would not only be politically incorrect but a gross underestimation of their 'abilities', because in spite of such circumstances these 'differently-abled' people continue to live their lives just like any of us.

In fact the major hindrance for these people to become 'able' is the marginalization they undergo in society. Differently-abled people are often treated with pity as if they are beneath able-bodied people and do not enjoy the same rights enjoyed by able-bodied people. "Social welfare, with all its benefits, is not enough concerning the case of differently-abled people" explained Dr. Ajith C. S. Perera.

"If everyone adopts a charitable attitude to differently-abled people they become unwanted dependants of society." This could give rise to grave social problems. He explained that what Sri Lanka needs is social empowerment rather than social welfare.

A wheelchair user himself as the result of a freak accident that left him paraplegic, Dr. Perera speaks from personal experience and knowledge he gained through over many years. "We often tend to see the disability of people instead of their numerous abilities."

According to him the clinical way of thinking according to the 'medical model' that regards these people as 'disabled' is no longer applicable. "The social model opened our minds to the fact that, irrespective of our positions and possessions, human abilities vary widely and is subject to continuous change leading to often debilitating conditions."

The world emphasis is now to find ways to recognize the untapped potential, to realize the inevitable diversity in ability and to re-involve all people with equal opportunity in development process. He explained that our reactions to disability, dispelling stereotypes that continue to surround the subject and specially constructing our physical environment will influence national progress immensely.

An estimated 3 million people (15% of population) have limited by barriers constructed by the society or the external environment, leading to a huge social problem and waste of limited assets.

As Dr. Perera pointed out problems occur because the decision makers are often able-bodied people who have grossly underestimated the difficulties faced by differently-abled people.

Accessible tourism

As Dr. Perera explained the country continues to loose lucrative assets in this field, which involves making the hotel sector more user friendly for differently-abled people. "This requires much more than making just two or three rooms of hotels accessible."

Accessibility a priority

We are heading towards 17% of our population being over 65. As Dr. Perera explained when environments are dis-abling they present serious threats to safety and security leading to costly medical expenses, longer periods of immobility and prolonged periods of isolation.

Moreover he explained that limited accessibility creates various psychosomatic problems, while physical inactivity has proven to increase risks of heart diseases. "Consequently physical environments not nearly accessible but really accessible are a must" said Dr. Perera.

Rights of the differently-abled

It was Dr. Ajith Perera's voluntary efforts that enabled the Supreme Court to give an order to have unhindered access to new public buildings. Although laws to protect the rights of differently-abled people were established 14 years ago and several amendments and improvements made there after, failed to deliver practical effect, even with regard to new buildings, due to inept stagnant bureaucracy.

"The violators are still allowed to roam scot-free without any punitive action. Just because a man's physical mobility is restricted there is no reason at all why his productive mind and several other 'abilities' should be disabled and marginalized" said Dr. Perera.

The Supreme Court order states, the parts of governments and private sector buildings that are defined under access regulations, after October 14, 2009 should be designed to meet the specific design specifications, so as not to restrict anyone based on restricted physical mobility. The order further states that anyone who violates the order will be subject to legal action. Under the regulations Commissioners of Local governments and officers of UDA are equally responsible for enforcing the law.

As Dr. Perera explained there are many benefits to implementing this Court order. By providing equal accessibility, the productive use of limited resources could be optimized, safety hazards equally minimized, provide the opportunity for education, employment, information, recreation and thereby mix equally with society with dignity specially for children with restricted physical and sensory abilities, embrace diversity in workplace while promoting their image as a socially responsible organization.

Enabling environments

"With the proper implementation of the law all government and private sector buildings like markets, banks, restaurants, auditoriums, hospitals and hotels - their toilets and wash facilities in particular - will soon be enabling for all"

Dr. Ajith Perera's efforts have made it not only the moral duty and social responsibility of the investors but a legal obligation, of all authorities concerned to make sure that the new facilities accommodate all people equally.

Dr. Perera identified two key measures to adapt to this national need. "It is important to incorporate at every stage, from inception to completion, 'all inclusive' and 'barrier-free features' and obtain right guidance from disabled people themselves, who are the end users of the improved facilities." Theory without adequate practice often leads to significant errors, wasting limited resources.

Economically sound accessibility features

Dr. Perera said that if right measures are incorporated appropriately at the design stage itself, the cost incurred adds less than 1% to the total cost of construction. "The financial and social returns the end-result brings far out weighs all costs."

"It is the environment that enables or disables a person" explained Dr. Perera and added that it is the country's responsibility to consider the hard facts and start the process of reform.