Empowering Wheels: A Conversation on Accessibility and Inclusion

Some matters take place with the aid of chance. I went to the newly opened Spectrum Mall in Noida and was surprised to see a notice for ‘wheelchairs on rent’ at the main entrance. It reminded me of how thoughtfully accessible things are becoming—just like how easy it is now to track your train before heading to the station, making travel more convenient for everyone.

In every other instance, at the doorway of Shopper’s Stop, Skymark Mall, Noida, a wheelchair lay without cost use to allow a clean enjoy inside the showroom.

Both these times had been a wonder as I have often seen bodily challenged human beings suffering in public areas. This is despite the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, instituted by means of the Government of India. Among the numerous rights noted within the Act is the importance of making on hand environments, such as homes, transportation structures, and public areas.

To understand the want of a bodily challenged character even as moving in public areas, I were given into communication with wheelchair person, Leha Divakar, Manager-Brand and Community, Blogchatter.

Diagnosed with Paraplegia after a fall, Leha has been the usage of a wheelchair for 14 years. Paraplegia is a type of paralysis that affects the lower body. It happens when the spinal cord is injured, main to a lack of sensation and muscle characteristic underneath the point of damage.

Overcoming this physical and mental mission, she has travelled abroad and shares her observations on public facilities across the countries she has been to. Excerpts:

A wheelchair gives you the liberty of mobility. But how does one get acquainted with a wheelchair? Did you need education, any type of help at home? Which wheelchair suits a traveler?

Adapting to a wheelchair is like unlearning something ingrained and mastering a wholly new skill. Building upper frame electricity is crucial for manoeuvring the chair successfully.

In the start, navigating a house not designed for wheelchair use may be tough. I bear in mind bumping into wall corners and door edges quite often. Over time, with exercise and adjustments, matters got easier.

We also modified our home to make it greater available. For example, my domestic in Pune has decrease wash basins and mirrors, an available wardrobe, wider doorways, and thresholds designed for easy transitions.

For travel, a light-weight, foldable wheelchair works satisfactory.

Do you locate it smooth to travel or even pass for day outings in India? What form of facilities do you see for human beings with disabilities?

In India, it’s a combination of sure and no. While a few locations are reachable, you still need to devise meticulously.

Before stepping out, even for an afternoon, I ensure the vacation spot has ramps, minimum barriers, and handy washrooms. However, very few places in India meet those requirements.

Malls are my ordinary cross-to considering many have handy washrooms. Yet, these washrooms are regularly locked or repurposed as software rooms.

Surprisingly, even a few 5-big name hotels don’t provide on hand washrooms in their rooms, or they leave out important functions like bathing seats inside the spacious toilets.

That said, a few locations stand out for his or her attention and facilities, including Taj Hotels, The Trees in Vikhroli, and Orchid Hotels in Pune and Mumbai.

In verbal exchange with wheelchair user Leha Divakar, delving into the importance of accessibility in public spaces, transportation, and hotels.

Have you ever seen any public place offering wheelchairs on rent in India or abroad? Do you feel wheelchairs should be provided free of cost? Should this rental include someone to assist the wheelchair user around until they exit the area? Just like how we check train running status to ensure a smooth journey, shouldn’t accessibility services also be seamless and thoughtfully planned for everyone’s convenience?

In public places, yes, I’ve seen wheelchairs available in some locations. In my experience, they had been uncomfortable because mine is custom made for my desires, however for many this provision is beneficial.

Wheelchairs are highly-priced but we don’t get the fine we need in India. Myself and Ajay, my associate, are capable of manipulate as of now, but I recognize many humans with disabilities are not. And it’s unfair.

I do agree with hospital therapy and mobility aids must be low cost however now not free of fee. The worst part is medical health insurance is not given to people with spinal twine damage.

What has been your revel in in unique modes of delivery inclusive of trains, airplanes and motors. What kind of centers within the vehicle make it a smooth journey?

Before my incapacity, I loved visiting by using train. Post-incapacity, flights and motors work better. Ample leg space and cushty seats make all the difference.

In flights, airlines provide a cabin wheelchair for boarding and deboarding. However, there’s no cabin wheelchair onboard, which means the washroom is inaccessible for the duration of the flight, which makes it extremely tough if the flight is lengthy.

In 2024, you travelled to Dubai. What provisions did you discover there for wheelchair users? Are the lodges prepared to deal with their needs?

My experience to Dubai turned into the first-class in my lifestyles. I noticed an entire different side to inclusivity during this experience. Everything, from flights and airport help to taxis, inn remains, and sightseeing, became handy. The town has surely done its homework!

Ajay and I loved every second without traumatic approximately washroom get entry to or transportation. Metro tour, theme parks, and even sports like scuba diving have been seamless.

The availability of wheelchair-handy taxis made things even higher. We could board without delay without having to fold or dismantle the wheelchair.

Leha Divakar in Japan

You also travelled to Japan. How become your revel in there?

Japan become additionally pretty reachable. Despite the language barrier, accessibility wasn’t an difficulty. Everyone became ready with translator devices or apps, making communique handy.

But as we all recognize, there may be a shortage of space inside the us of a. Places such as eating places, cafes, bars, are super adorable but additionally suit into tiny areas. So, locating ones that are effortlessly reachable may be pretty a seek.

Apart from that, the inn live became smooth. We travelled with the aid of metro. That was an incredible experience. Some trains had an entire room we should ebook, and the washrooms had been very spacious too.

You run an Instagram cope with @wheelingtogether. You have highlighted the problem of incapacity on Blogchatter’s Instagram deal with via Q&A and stay periods. How have these public profiles helped you individually, besides spreading focus about the problem?

I used to be wary of talking approximately a subject like incapacity because there are stigmas attached to it. It took me time to come to phrases with it and as soon as I become assured of myself, talking approximately incapacity became easy.

Ajay and I commenced Wheeling Together to proportion our adventure and inspire others facing comparable challenges. It also became a platform to raise awareness about troubles we’ve experienced firsthand.

Blogchatter has constantly been that safe area anyone can voice their mind on and get all the aid in go back.

Creativity has been a huge a part of this method—it’s not just a way to unfold attention however additionally a source of strength for me. Talking about disability and the whole thing it involves is empowering to me.