“Ministry of Tourism has taken Several Steps to make tourist destinations friendlier for the Differently Abled”: Tourism Minister
The Ministry of Tourism has taken following steps to make tourist destinations friendlier for the differently abled:-
(i) While submitting Detailed Project Report of a project under Swadesh Darshan or PRASHAD (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) Schemes of the Ministry, State Government/Union Territory Administration has to submit an undertaking in the specified format stating that ‘barrier free environment for differently abled tourists has been incorporated in the design of the built up areas of the project’. In addition to this, it is also specifically mentioned in the sanction order of the project that ‘the executing agency shall put in place the mandatory facilities for barrier free access by physically disabled persons’.
(ii) A category of National Tourism Award of ‘Best Maintained and Disabled Friendly Monument’ is in existence to encourage the agencies responsible for maintaining monuments/tourist attractions to create barrier- free environment for the promotion of accessible tourism.
(iii) The guidelines for classification/re – classification of Hotels issued by the Ministry of Tourism have provisions for the following:
- Specially designed dedicated room with accessible bathroom & specially designed furniture like almirah, audible & visible alarm system and doorbell.
- Accessible public restrooms and Ramps with anti-slip floors to allow wheel chair access to public areas and at least one restaurant.