Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has published this great document on accessibility and Universal Design. Some excerpts from the document is being shared in verbatim.
“India’s future demographic projections show an increasing trend towards ageing, disabilities, health limitations and new demands of societal transformations. The question is how to prepare our built environments for the diverse needs of people with disabilities, children, elderly, women and humans with other limitations amidst fast changing times
“The Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India, 2021 are an enabling step towards strengthening the national mandate of an Accessible India and a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat).”
“Through eight chapters, it lays the framework for sensitization and guidance of diverse stakeholders responsible for designing, planning and implementation of accessibility in built environments alongwith valued citizens. It provides a holistic approach towards the understanding of accessibility in an Indian context and by evolving from a barrier free approach to a universal design philosophy.”
The document can be accessed on https://niua.in/ or can downloaded here (Harmonised Guidelines & Standards for Universal Accessibility in India) or can be viewed below