The lockdown in Delhi has ended. In the last phase of the unlock places of worship have been opened. Although they were open all the time, people are increasingly visiting several gurudwaras, mosques, Hindu, and Jain temples in Delhi.
Various such places of worship were visited:
and the following were checked:
- Check the accessibility of the main entrance.
- Check the availability of ramps at various places.
- Check the accessibility of the washroom/toilet.
- Check the accessibility of the parking space.
- Availability of wheelchairs.
Below are the findings of the various accessibility features at the places of worship listed above.
The main entrance to the gurudwara was leveled with the road to ease the smooth entry of a wheelchair.
There are ramps at all prominent places to facilitate the movement of the differently-abled.
Handrails are provided along all ramps and also for the stairs that lead to the Sarovar or holy pond.
The washroom entry was leveled with the outer floor and also the floor inside the washrooms was leveled to ease the movement of a wheelchair.
There were icons and signs indicating designated places for the differently-abled.
A common feature seen at most gurudwaras was a stairlift or chair lift
Also the availability of wheelchairs within the gurudwara and also in the adjoining Sikh museum that is housed in the same complex.
The floor throughout this Jain temple is leveled to ease the movement of a wheelchair
Also, there were ramps created when there was a recess or change in floor level.
Here is one of the most magnificent of ramps ever since at the main entrance of this place.
Smaller ramps were also made to facilitate the easy movement of a wheelchair right inside the mosque.
There were ramps available in the temple right from the entrance, all around the main temple to facilitate the Darshan and the Parikrama as evident by the three places marked with arrows in the collage below.
Conclusion
Places of worship were fully geared towards embracing the differently-abled in Delhi and though there were a few discontinuities, helpful people were always available nearby to ease the experience of the differently-abled.
Here’s the link to the meetup invite.
BR,
Tushar Suradkar
