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Access > What the law says

The Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 is quite clear on the responsibilities of the government to enhance access for persons with disabilities. The relevant portions of the Act are reproduced below.

Chapter Eight: Non-discrimination

44. Establishments in the transport sector shall, within the limits of their economic capacity and development for the benefit of persons with disabilities, take special measures to-

(a) adapt rail compartments, buses, vessels and aircrafts in such a way as to permit easy access to such persons;
(b) adapt toilets in rail compartments, vessels, aircrafts and waiting rooms in such a way as to permit the wheelchair users to use them conveniently.
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45. The appropriate Governments and the local authorities shall, within the limits of their economic capacity and development, provide for-

(a) installation of auditory signals at red lights in the public roads for the benefit of persons with visually handicap;
(b) causing curb cuts and slopes to be made in pavements for the easy access of wheelchair users;
(c) engraving on the surface of the zebra crossing for the blind or for persons with low vision;
(d) engraving on the edges of railway platforms for the blind or for persons with low vision;
(e) devising appropriate symbols of disability;
(f) warning signals at appropriate places.

46. The appropriate Governments and the local authorities shall, within the limits of their economic capacity and development, provide for-

(a) ramps in public buildings;
(b) Braille symbols and auditory signals in elevators or lifts;
(c) Braille symbols and auditory signals in elevators or lifts;
(d) ramps in hospitals, primary health centres and other medical care and rehabilitation institutions.

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