Sun Mar 16 19:23:07 UTC 2025: ## Chennai Corporation to Improve Accessibility for Disabled Residents
**Chennai, March 17, 2025** – The Chennai Corporation announced plans to significantly improve accessibility for persons with disabilities across the city. The initiative will involve redeveloping public spaces and buildings to ensure better access for wheelchair users and those with mobility issues. This includes the construction of ramps and the upgrading of existing facilities in bus stops, parks, hospitals, and public toilets.
The Corporation will select a construction agency to carry out the improvements. However, concerns have been raised regarding the current state of existing infrastructure. Mugalivakkam resident K.S. Kannan highlighted the need for repairing damaged footpaths in parks, citing the risk of falls for senior citizens.
T.M.N. Deepak, advisor to the state commissioner for persons with disabilities, emphasized the critical need for accessible restrooms, noting inadequate ramp gradients and widths in many existing facilities. He also stressed the importance of considering senior citizens and those with mobility issues in floor design, advocating against the use of slippery tiles. Deepak further called for the adoption of universal design principles, as outlined by the UNCRPD, to ensure comprehensive and future-proof accessibility. He also highlighted the need for a social audit before approving any project to ensure “360 degree access” and prevent future repair needs. The Corporation’s plan aims to move beyond purely physical access to incorporate a broader perspective on accessibility.
First Piper 