Public offices lack ramps for wheelchair users

Buildings in private sector also lack similar facilities


APP October 22, 2017
PHOTO: FILE

MULTAN: Society for Special Persons (SSP) chairperson Zahida Hameed on Saturday said there was a dire need to sensitise people about accessibility of wheelchair users as nearly 90% important buildings and offices in the city have no ramps for wheelchair users.

Society for Special Persons, a non-governmental organisation, launched accessibility campaign in 2013 and continuously visiting different government organisations as well as private institutions to ensure availability of ramps but only 10% buildings, most of them in public sector, have introduced ramps, she said. However, private building's cooperation was unsatisfactory, she said, adding that there was an urgent need to sensitise society about the issues especially accessibility of wheelchair users.

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She said there were 7,500 registered wheelchair users in the city and they were facing immense problems during their outdoor movement to perform routine affairs. She lauded some government departments including Pakistan International Airline, State Bank of Pakistan, Motorway, Damdama, Madni Park, Multan Tea House and some other government organisations for making ramps outside their buildings to facilitate the wheelchair users.

She appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif to issue notification for construction of ramps in office of public and private sectors to provide easy access to wheelchair users.

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About SSP, she said the organisation was established in March 2007 for the people with disabilities to make them useful citizens of the society. The SSP mainly focuses on accessibility and inclusive community for the empowerment of people with disabilities, independent living, barrier free society, advocacy and awareness raising activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2017.

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