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Employment > Awards > N.C.P.E.D.P. - Shell Helen Keller Awards 2002

P.R. Mehta: Building an accessible environment

Mehta's down-to-earth approach belies a fiery and enthusiatic innovator who is introducing far-reaching changes in the filed of architecture.

As an architect, P R Mehta’s pre-occupation is with built structures. And it is through brick and mortar that he dreams of opening the world to millions of people with special needs.

As President of the Council of Architecture (CoA), Mehta has put accessibility in the purview of all practicing architects and students of architecture in India. CoA regulates Architectural Education and its practice in India. It is thus, ideally placed to influence design thought amongst architects. Mehta has consistently channelised CoA’s efforts in the direction of supporting initiatives of accessibility.

CoA has decided to undertake a number of steps to ensure that built environments are accessible to people with disabilities. To cater to students with disability, all architectural institutes are expected to chalk out a time-bound programme to ensure that they are accessible within the next two years. The Council has also decided to write to all State governments, requesting them to make their buildings barrier-free. All Schools of Architecture will provide the three per cent reservation for candidates with disability, as mandated by The Disability Act. CoA is also urging all institutes of architecture to include creation of barrier-free built environment in the curriculum.

CoA has organised short-term courses for practicing architects and a number of State-level seminars on Design for People with Disabilities. These courses and seminars promote the concept of accessibility and Universal Design amongst architects, engineers and town planners.

Under Mehta’s leadership, CoA has teamed with Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and N.C.P.E.D.P. to develop a blue print for making the city of Delhi completely accessible. He has collaborated with various government departments dealing with construction activities to ensure that the blue print is supported by all agencies.

Council of Architecture
India Habitat Centre
Core 6-A, First Floor
Lodhi Road
New Delhi 110 003
Phone: (011) 2464 8415, 2465 4172
Fax: (011) 2464 7746
E-mail: coa@ndf.vsnl.net.in

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