BIA's initiatives for disabled

BIA's initiatives for disabled
DH News Service, Bangalore:
The Bengaluru International Airport has replied to public views/opinions on BIA being disabled unfriendly on May 31, 2008 issue of 'Deccan Herald' from C Mahesh who said: "As a wheelchair user, I went to the rest room meant for 'Persons with Disabilities' at the arrival terminal and was shocked to find the way the doors open out and the way the grab-bars are fitted".


BIA Response: As per National Building code of India, the door should open outside and the same has been provided. The height or the door handle will be brought to 800 mm height from finished floor level to comply with the code. Grab bars are fixed as stipulated in the National Building code of India.

“The other fittings and floor tiles do not meet any national or international standards of ‘barrier-free access.”

BIA Response: As stipulated in the National Building code of India the water closet is fixed at a height of 500mm from finished floor level and wash basin is fixed at a height of 780 mm from finished floor level

Initiatives

BIAL recognises its responsibility in planning the airport infrastructure to accommodate all its passenger and this includes the differently abled passengers and visitors. As part of the airport infrastructure and facilities the following features have been provided:

*The airport parking area is divided into five zones; each zone has up to twelve parking spaces reserved for differently abled passengers.

*The passenger can also avail of the porter service that can be booked (on the internet or telephone) before arriving at the airport.

*The walkway from the parking area to the passenger terminal building has gently sloping ramps throughout and is wide enough to accommodate a large electric powered wheelchair.

*The public convenience buildings located in the car park area have toilets designed for differently abled passengers and visitors.

These toilets are at a height of 450mm from the pathway, a small ramp leading up to the toilets facilitate wheel chair movement.

*The entrance to the passenger terminal building which is at a height of 150mm from the road, has a ramp to facilitate wheel chair movement.

*All the floors in the terminal building are connected by elevators. These elevators are spacious enough to accommodate wheel chairs and are equipped with a Braille plate at the side of each button. Rescue devices in the case of emergency such as intercom facility (including a microphone and speakers) are provided.

*Separate toilets designed for differently abled passengers are provided in all passenger movement areas.

*All seating areas have between two and five pre-designated positions that are marked with a sign for elderly and differently abled passengers.