One Day, One Minute, One Rule – 241
What legal and international obligations must the Department of Posts follow to ensure postal buildings are accessible to persons with disabilities?
According to the order issued by the Court of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, all postal buildings must be made accessible to the public in strict accordance with Section 46 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995.
This section mandates the provision of ramps in public buildings and hospitals, adaptation of toilets for wheelchair users, and Braille symbols or auditory signals in elevators within the limits of economic capacity. Furthermore, the Department must comply with Article 9 on Accessibility of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which India has ratified.
This article requires the identification and elimination of obstacles in buildings, roads, and other facilities to enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life. In the specific case of the Dharmapuri Collectorate Post Office, the Department was advised to ensure that even in rented premises, efforts must be made to provide a user-friendly environment or shift to a building that meets these accessibility requirements.
(Directorate letter No. 18-33/2013.bldg Dated 26.11.2014)
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