TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network Holistic Approach to Develop a Barrier Free Environment for People With Disabilities (PWDs) in Sri Lanka Asitha Weweldeniya, Weweldenige, Development with Disabled Network Colombo, Sri Lanka

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network Development with Disabled Network (DwDN) Development with Disabled Network (DwDN) is a network of disability and development sector organizations and professionals to facilitate a common platform for mainstreaming disable people in development process in Sri Lanka. It facilitate sharing expertise, lessions and lobbying/advocacy platforms for the members and other stakeholders to increase the participation of disabled people in the social-economic development of the country. Sharing experiences, capacity building, research and advocacy are the main strategic directions of DWDN. DwDN works at different levels from the grassroots to national level to achieve its overall objective.

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network Cross cutting themes Disaster Livelihood development Transport Vocational training & employment Water & sanitation Governance MDGs

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network Overall situation 8% disability population (WHO World Disability Report 2010) Over 70% are living in rural areas Over 90% are in under the poverty line Limited access to education, employment and health due to the lack of transportation facilities

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network Legal background Act no 28 of 1996, The protection rights of people with disabilities (amended 2003). Act no 08 of 2000, The protection of elderly people The national policy for the disability, The gazette notification (2005 – 10/16) of providing accessibility facilities for people with disabilities in public places. Signed UNCRPD

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network Specific objectives of the program To develop a framework for “barrier free environment development” Validating the framework with supporting factors and information from different stakeholders To examine the three pronged approach of DwDN towards mainstreaming disability To identify positive relationships in facilitating linkages between PWDs and related government and non-government service providers Access the level of enhancement of socio- economic activities of PWDs through the actions of DwDN To discuss the “quality of life” enhancement aspects in relation to mobility of PWDs To discuss the experiences of DwDN in making barrier free physical and social environment in Sri Lanka

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network The framework Policy makers / decision makers/ Designers / Planners / Implementers Institutions (service providers) Barrier free environment for PWDs Individuals

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network Create dialog on barrier free transport & infrastructure development Guidelines, model development, studies and research development working with national level policy makers, decision makers, planners and implementers Infrastructure development Capacity building on mainstreaming PWDs in the socio-economic development working with institute those providing services for PWDs Improving mobility of PWDs within the house / model development Link with socio-economic activities working with rural / urban community

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network Actions in each levels Level- I Working with national level policy makers, decision makers, planners and implementers  Creating a dialogue among the policy makers, decision makers, and planners on developing transport infrastructure facilities for PWD.  Establish a national working group (steering committee) to work on a barrier free environment for PWDs.  Develop an action plan for short / long term to work.  Developing appropriate models / research on the issues.  Working with pressure groups National Steering committee for developing barrier free transport for PWD Member of technical committee of NCPD for investigating accessibility facilities in public places

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network Level- II Working to institute those providing services for PWDs  Improving accessibility facilities for PWDs at administration centers, vocational training centers, railway stations.  Developing technical capacities of local government to enforce the accessibility law / technical capacities for developing accessibility facilties in urban rural areas  Developing appropriate models for mobility with services providers.  Building capacities of Non-state actors to get involved PWDs into development projects.  Working with provincial transport authorities to reserve the seat for PWDs. Established accessibility facilities in rural areas to access services Accessibility audit in urban areas (improved accessibility facilities in Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte Municipal Council) / building technical capacities of local government in rural areas for accessibility establishments Conducted series of capacity building to non-state actors in development to sensitize of PWDs in development (livelihood, Improved the accessibility facilities in rural schools, community hall and public libraries. Created an awareness among the bus drivers and conductors to sensitized them on disabled people

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network Level- III Working with the rural / urban community  Improving accessibility facilities / developing disabled friendly environment for PWDs at household level.  Linking with services such as education, health etc.  Livelihood establishment  Awareness of disabled rights  Developing voluntary service groups for follow-ups About 100 PWDs directly benefited from disabled friendly houses, toilets and accessibility facilities. About 106 livelihoods are established for PWDs in rural areas. Developed resource group (technical) for constructing accessibility facilities at village level. Established several voluntary groups (women's groups) for follow-ups / create awareness on disabled rights.

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network Key achievements National Steering Committee for Developing Barrier Free Environment National Steering Committee Min of Social Services Min of Transport UDADPOs Practitioners / NGO Technical Committee on Investigation accessibility issues

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network Over 100 houses are improved as barrier free environment for them to mobility within the house. More than 20 public placed are improved accessibility facilities. More than 10 school are improved disabled friendly environment with equipments. Community hall and religious places are improved accessibility. Developed few appropriate and tailor-made mobility equipments. Build the technical capacities of local authorities on developing barrier free environment.

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network

Conclusion Establishment of partnership among government officials, policy makers, development practitioners, researchers, donor agencies and community is vital in achieving overall objective of making barrier free environments. Networking of stakeholders at every level is must to minimize isolated and duplication of works. Dialogues in every level must be in place and lessons, ideas and experience needs to be considered at national level decision making, designing and project development. The government, including relevant local authorities responsible for strengthening the legal framework for PWDs, implementation and coordination. Disseminating information plays a key role of getting public attention and changing attitudes. Improving or developing other facilities like vocational trainings, employment opportunities, education, health services, cultural activities should be in place in parallel to developing mobility (transport, accessibility) facilities for PWDs.

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network Lack of understanding, lack of capacities and lack of resources are major obstacles of local authorities, administrative body in regards to providing accessibility facilities to PWDs. Donor agencies (development projects), local authorities need to be considered both capacity building & construction (software and hardware) component of providing accessibility facilities. The government cannot allocate finance along. Private sector participation is to be increased. The government can promote uses CSR programs of private companies to establish accessibility facilities at their premises and changing attitudes of the general public.

TRANSED 2012 – INDIADevelopment with Disabled Network Thank you … Development with Disabled Network (DWDN) is a collective of development sector organizations, disability focused organizations and professionals those work towards mainstreaming disability in the process of development. The Network was initiated in 2003 and working as a forum on mutual sharing of expertise and experiences on mainstreaming disability in to development.