This is Dr. Satendra Singh aka @drsitu from Delhi.
Dr. Situ is a fiery disability rights activist and Associate Editor of the online journal “Research & Humanities in Medical Education”.
8 months ago, on December 6, he blasted IDBI Bank as their branch in Vasundhara, Ghaziabad, was completely inaccessible for people in wheelchairs.
How a disabled climb this Mt Everest @IDBI_Bank in Vasundhra, Ghaziabad? Who made this new 7th wonder of world? pic.twitter.com/5v5MgSck2v
— Satendra Singh, MD (@drsitu) December 6, 2015
The next day, IDBI said they would look into “possible rectification”.
@drsitu We have brought matter to the notice of the concerned branch to look into possible rectification. We regret the inconvenience caused
— IDBI BANK (@IDBI_Bank) December 11, 2015
IDBI might have thought the matter would be forgotten, but nope! Dr. Situ is a really, really determined person.
Who's ur banking ombudsman? Kindly share details as I wanna escalate complaint since u failed to act @YouthKiAwaaz @MSJE_AIC
— Satendra Singh, MD (@drsitu) August 19, 2016
He is also making sure that India’s Transport Minister is accountable for how accessible India’s Transport Bhawan is. No biggie.
Thanks for bringing this to notice. I've instructed concerned officer to make sure the ramp should be accessible w/o any hindrance
— Nitin Gadkari (मोदी का परिवार) (@nitin_gadkari) August 11, 2016
And he has also called out this ridiculous design at an ICICI Bank branch. “There is a step just before ramp. What purpose will it solve?” he told YKA.
What a pity! See @ICICIBank's care. How will a disabled climb? Steps even at ramp. @MSJE_AIC @ICICIBank_Care pic.twitter.com/jIh9fICydd
— Satendra Singh, MD (@drsitu) July 15, 2016
Basically Dr. Situ is isn’t afraid of demanding what’s a basic right, and not a luxury – access for all!
#NothingDivineAboutUs Above ramp is for rlwy officers & lower 1 for disabled in the same DRM office @sureshpprabhu pic.twitter.com/okr0pWnNq0
— Satendra Singh, MD (@drsitu) May 30, 2016
And in a fabulous moment of victory (despite the fact that it took 8 darn months), IDBI Bank got its act together.
Work has started. I met the senior officials at bank & they agreed to my request of meeting wid architect pic.twitter.com/39AamjJV1K
— Satendra Singh, MD (@drsitu) August 22, 2016
Now imagine if IDBI Bank had just kept this in mind in the first place because it sucks how our public spaces are inaccessible for millions in India.
And as for Dr. Situ, may he never stop asking for accountability.
Inaccessibility is rampant across public spaces, transportation, educational institutions and workplaces. Whether it’s a broken ramp, an inaccessible toilet, a lack of tactile signboards and missing sign language interpreters, please Whatsapp images to 09999181201, email us, or tweet to us @youthkiawaaz, we’d love to hear from you!
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