Officials working in the field of disability have raised objections to the lack of disability-friendly features in the district assembly hall constructed in Damauli. Although a new council hall has been constructed to replace the old one, the officials have voiced their discontent over the absence of disability-friendly features.
The assembly hall constructed by the Ministry of Urban Development of the federal government lacks accessibility for individuals with disabilities. On July 23, in coordination with the Sahridaya Manch Tanahun, people with disabilities assessed the hall’s facilities.
Following an inspection of the hall, disability rights activist Madan Poudel stated that he perceived the building to be designed exclusively for other people but not for people with disabilities. “From the entrance to every corner, we felt the place was covered with wires. Some areas, including the spacious public hall, lack accessibility features. Even in this modern era, the building lacks facilities such as restrooms for people with disabilities.”
Paudel highlighted that while the government should ensure that public places are accessible to everyone, it seems that the government is not giving enough attention to this aspect. He further questioned whether the organizations established to advocate for the rights of the disabled should take the initiative in monitoring, coordinating, and exerting pressure right from the beginning to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are adequately addressed in public infrastructure and services.
The president of Sahridaya Manch Tanahun, Savitri Subedi mentioned that the District Coordination Committee must take immediate action to construct the building, which is under the ownership of the committee, fully disability-friendly.
Paudel stated that there should be clear provisions in the disability rights treaties, laws, regulations, and other guidelines to ensure the complete accessibility and inclusiveness of public structures for persons with disabilities. He emphasized the need to run a campaign until the construction of the said council hall is made fully disability-friendly and operational.
Under the coordination of Sahridaya Manch Tanahu, Nepal, a joint inspection of the District Council Hall was conducted. The team consisted of the District Coordination Committee Officer, disability rights workers, Byas Nagar Disability Coordination Committee, leaders from Sahridaya Manch Tanahun, Nepal, and other representatives. Paudel also mentioned that during the inspection, they discovered that none of the structures in the building, which is in its final construction stage, are designed to be disability-friendly.
The District Coordination Officer, Thaman Singh Thapa, mentioned that the design and construction of the building were entirely done by the Ministry of Urban Development, and they were not provided with any information regarding the accessibility features of the building.
He emphasized that a building of such scale should have been made disability-friendly, but there was a flaw in the building’s design process.