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A life changing law. A law that brings a world of change to over ten percent of the population in Sri Lanka. A law that would enable the differently-abled to enjoy life in equal terms with the rest of the population. How? By providing access.

Access to transport, community areas, institutions, industrial and commercial buildings and many other areas. Regulations will soon be in force to draw the differently able people with and their work potential integrating them with the mainstream society.

The rules and regulations published in the Gazette Extraordinary of November 14, 2005, will "soon come in to force. It is already sent to be included in the parliamentary agenda" says Dr. Neela Gunasekera, Director, National Secretariat of Social Welfare and Persons with Disabilities.

The percentage of the population suffering from disability is far larger than which is indicated in the official statistics, says Thanuja Navaratne, Coordinator 'Access for All', an initiative by the differently-abled to seek access to public areas and services. "The reason, is the stigma associated with disability.

During the last census, many members of our association were not counted because the officials who carried out the census were too embarrassed to ask the question from the householders. Similarly, no householder willingly offered the information. Specially if the person is impaired from birth.

However, according to a pilot research carried out by the Ministry of Social Welfare in 2003, the percentage was found to be between seven and ten. Of course, counting the war victims and the senior citizens the actual numbers could be higher," says Navaratne.

Awareness creation is vital and the sooner the public know about the bill it is better, opines Navaratne. "The Bill awaiting parliamentary approval carries the regulations for access to public buildings, public places and common services for persons with disabilities.

Thus all the parties involved in post-Tsunami reconstruction will be aware of this newly approved legislation and the accessible guidelines published by the Ministry of Social Services, which they are compelled to adhere.

We believe that prior notice of this magnitude will be a definite advantage for the parties involved in constructions to adhere to an efficient planning and designing process. Implementing is the responsibility of the Social Services Ministry and the Urban Development Authority and it is the responsibility of the disabled people to raise their voice against non-conformity," she stressed.

The proposed Bill cited as 'Access to Common Places and Services by persons with disabilities regulation No.1 of 2005, necessitates all newly built public buildings and structures and public transportation to enable access to the disabled persons.

A period of seven years is granted to make the existing public buildings and services accessible to persons with disabilities. The regulation offer many improved access facilities to both psychologically and physically impaired, including those with impaired vision and hearing.

Short distances between parking areas and entrances, even surfaces of transportation, wide passages and floor space for wheel chairs, ramps, railings, lifts and hard non-slippery surfaces, built-in hearing aids, public telephones with sound boosters and alarms with visual indicators, guiding building blocks i.e. dot-type blocks as warning signals, line-type blocks to indicate the route to follow, easily understood signs, possibly with symbols, are some of the proposed additions to buildings and public transport services.

"No amount of legislation will help, unless the public make themselves aware, accept and adhere to the rules. The disabled, have much potential and many talents. They are a vital part in the economy because they have much to contribute to the economic development in the country," says Dr. Gunasekera.

A senior official in the Social Welfare Ministry she had been instrumental in bringing about the law to help the disabled. She points out that cooperation between the officials and the general public is essential in implementing the rules and regulations.

"There is a Public Administrations Circular which necessitates three percent of employment opportunities to be offered to individuals from the disabled community. But, what is the point of offering employment to people without access to the office premises. First we must provide access and then we can use the potential of the disabled persons," she opines.

Though the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act No. 28 of 1996, addresses the right to accessibility under its section 23(2) and a set of approved guidelines is published by the Ministry of Social Services, they were hindered by the lack of guidelines on the procedure of implementation.

The proposed Bill will bridge this gap, and with improved access, pave the way for a more acceptable society for persons with disabilities. (VF)

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