7 days ago
Chennai Gig Workers Lounge: No Access For Wheelchair Users
A gig workers lounge in Anna Nagar, Chennai
Greater Chennai Corporation has set up lounges with air conditioning, power outlets and toilets in Anna Nagar and T Nagar for gig workers to relax between orders, but the spaces remain inaccessible to people with disabilities (PwDs).
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K Sasikumar, a food delivery partner, says being on the road all day on his battery-powered wheelchair is physically exhausting as his app algorithm forces him to travel to faraway locations. 'Since I take my wheelchair to faraway locations, using the wheelchair on these roads induces severe body pain. I tried using the lounge once, but there is no way to access it as it's on a pavement with no way to get on it with my wheelchair.
Also, the entrance has an extended door frame that hinders the path. It's nice the govt is coming up with such initiatives, but when they build such structures, they should keep us in mind,' he said.
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S Namburajan, vice-president of
Tamil Nadu
Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (Taratdac), said the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD Act), 2016 in India mandates accessibility across various sectors, including physical infrastructure, transportation, information and communication technology (ICT), and public services.
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The Act also states that the govt should ensure all public buildings and spaces that are already constructed be made accessible through modifications.
'Despite such an Act in place, policy makers continue to build places that are inaccessible. It needs to be strictly enforced during planning phase.'
While GCC plans similar lounges in Thiruvanmiyur, Villivakkam, Royapettah, Mylapore, and Nungambakkam, activists say small retrofittings can make a huge difference. Sathish Kumar, an activist, said a ramp should be made that connects the road to the entrance. 'There should be a charging space for wheelchairs and the width of the toilet door should be 3 feet. The toilet also should be accessible and be made spacious according to space available.
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'We've taken note of the issue and are planning to install a temporary ramp as we work on constructing a permanent one,' said GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran.
