A QUALITIATIVE EXPLORATION OF BARRIERS TO ACCESSING PUBLIC TOILETS AMONGST LOCOMOTOR DISABLED PEOPLE – A CASE STUDY IN VELLORE

Abstract

Background

The sanitation crisis is recognized as a critical challenge of our global community as every individual entitled to sanitation services that are easily accessible and ensures privacy, dignity and safety. Progress towards the path to universal sanitation is regrettably off track, and highly uneven in its coverage, resulting in inequalities and therefore marginalized people are often suffered ignored, overlooked and discriminated. According to the United Nations (UN) , disability statistics it is estimated that more than one billion people, approximately 15% of the Global population subject to some form of disability, of who nearly 200 million experience significant functional difficulties. The biggest challenge for people with disabilities is social discrimination, stigmatization and. stereotyping. The main aim of 2030 agenda for Sustainable development is to achieve inclusive, people centered, transformative society “leaving no one behind”.

Methods

The primary objective of this research is to understand peoples (with locomotor disability) (RPWD (The Right of Persons with Disability) Act, 2016) perception towards public toilets in Vellore and its impact on access to services.  The evaluation was conducted based on the parameters developed based on the design considerations provided by Advisory on Public Toilets and Community toilets (2018) (CPHEEO- Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation)) and the Harmonised guidelines and space standards for barrier free built environment for persons with disability and elderly persons (MoUD – Ministry of Urban Environment) (2016). In this research the survey adopted was a descriptive cross-sectional study with both quantitative and qualitative methods and the respondents were recruited via a snowball sampling technique (chain- referral) with a sample size of 30 people who comes under locomotor disability.

Results

Reports by the People with disability (PwD) and field observation showed that there was inadequacy in planning as location and accessibility, wheelchair ramps, hand rails, maintenance and design aspects. The results obtained revealed that certain amendments are required to improve the environment of existing facilities in order to ensure efficient and effective facility upgrades to accommodate the needs of people with locomotor disability.

Conclusions

A thorough understanding of each disability in the sanitation policies is the need of an hour.  A grass root approach from the user’s perspective to find out their requirement is very crucial. A detailed study regarding the facilities required for PT with respect to the context and location is very important. Conscious and sensitive approach in design thinking process can ensure the usage of appropriate materials, streamlined designs in movements corridors, effective treatment and proper disposal of sewage, practical and well-designed out layouts have to be considered as a set of parameters that are essential for its proper functioning and accessibility to achieve equal opportunities and social inclusion of people with disabilities.