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Accessibility for differently abled persons: Still lacking basic facilities 

11 Sep 2021

  • Access to transportation and govt. institutions remains a challenge
  • Poor progress in policy implementation
By Yumiko Perera State policies on improving the inclusivity of differently abled persons have not been effectively implemented. The slow progress of planned inclusivity improvements and the lack of awareness among public officials are compounding the hardships faced by an estimated 8.7% of the total population, The Sunday Morning learnt. According to a 2017 census by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS), it is estimated that over 8.7% of the total population in Sri Lanka above the age of five live with some form of disability, and approximately 300,000 people across the country between the ages of 18-60 are identified to have some form of disability. Most citizens with disabilities face limitations, especially in terms of accessibility to public spaces, government organisations, transportation services, and various other facilities including public lavatories. It doesn’t stop at the lack of physical accessibility, however, as they are also denied opportunities to participate effectively in the public realm. Although the country’s legislation deems it necessary, access for people with disabilities is still not fully addressed. While the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act No. 28 of 1996 defines a person with a disability as “any person who, as a result of any deficiency in his physical or mental capabilities, whether congenital or not, is unable by himself to ensure for himself, wholly or partly, the necessities of life”. Integrating differently abled persons into society not only helps them lead a normal life, but allowing them to take an active part in society drastically impacts their quality of life as well. In March 2007, the Government of Sri Lanka became a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which was ratified on 8 February 2016. The government was legally bound by it with effect from 9 March 2016, nearly 10 years later. Speaking with The Sunday Morning, Disability Organisations Joint Front (DOJF) President Rasanjali Pathirage pointed out that transportation services to various government institutions such as court complexes and other public spaces lack the basic facilities to cater to the differently abled. “There are laws and regulations in place in this regard, as well as project proposals to improve accessibility for differently abled people. However, these don’t seem to make it beyond the planning stage. Regardless of the legislation in place, no government organisation has paid the necessary attention to this issue yet. Putting up a ramp on a selected few buildings and calling it accessibility simply does not cut it,” she opined. Elaborating that it has become a challenge to empower the differently abled, and that authorities seem to be doing the bare minimum, Pathirage further noted that after many discussions in this regard with the Ministry of Transport, an action plan is underway to provide the necessary services. “We have been notified that the drivers and conductors have been educated in this regard. However, nothing beyond that has materialised yet, and although this may be practical in Colombo and its suburbs, I am not very sure of how this would play out in other parts of the country,” she noted. Pathirage also highlighted the need for information counters to be placed in government organisations, which would specifically aim to cater to the needs of differently abled people. “Those with physical disabilities may not be able to read signboards or hear announcements. Likewise, a counter with a special translator to help cater to their needs is a necessity when it comes to public transportation hubs, especially train stations and bus stands,” Pathirage explained. Elaborating that access to healthcare services is a challenging task for the differently abled due to the lack of physical accessibility as well as the non-availability of information, audio-visual communication boards, and sign language interpreters, even in leading state hospitals, Pathirage noted: “When the differently abled or those with special needs go to a hospital, they can’t articulate their needs like you and I, which is why I believe we need to pay a little more attention to their needs. It’s unfortunate when you look at the lack of infrastructure state hospitals have in this regard.” Meanwhile, speaking with The Sunday Morning, National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities Director Anuradha Herath stated that, in accordance with the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, all public buildings, public places, and common services are supposed to be made accessible to differently abled persons, in compliance with the regulations that are currently in place under No. 1 of 2006 published in Gazettes Extraordinary No. 1467/15 on 17 October 2006 and No. 1619/24 on 18 September 2009. “At the moment, we are in the process of formulating criteria, and we are working towards ensuring a better future for those with disabilities,” Herath noted. Furthermore, she emphasised that there is a need to amend the gazette extraordinary to fit the current best practices, and that measures are being taken to provide accessibility facilities at the institutional level, The Sunday Morning learnt.


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