EKansh

Awareness, Acceptance, Sensitization and Inclusion

Home
Our Work
About Us
Contact Us
Ask the Expert
Press
Indian Sign Language
Disability Etiquette
Job Fair for PWD Sept '10
EKansh-NIASA July 2010
EKansh NIASA pictures
The Pune Seminar Aug 2009

 

EKansh Trust has taken the lead in introducing and explaining the importance of  Universal Design and Barrier Free Architecture to students around the country via programmes conducted in different parts of India.

 

 We have now successfully conducted a sensitization and awareness session for professionals and teachers of Architecture from around the country with the help of experts.

 

EKANSH AND NIASA

A Workshop on UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Barrier Free Architecture Dates: 19-23 July, 2010

Venue :National Institute of Advanced Studies in Architecture, Pune 

Preamble:  

Most often we find that built spaces are designed and constructed keeping in mind the needs of the common man...one we believe is not disabled. Around the world there is a movement to make spaces accessible to everybody irrespective of differences and that we lag behind in infrastructure is an obvious fact.

 

We live in times where Exclusive is more

fashionable than Inclusive. A seachange of attitude has to take place.

 

People with disabilities cannot access

schools, colleges, hospitals, clinics, courts, places of worship, recreational spaces, etc not just because of their disabilities but also because there is no provision for their inclusion. If we want them to be a resourceful, productive, positive part of our society, we must first ensure access for them in spaces that we take for granted.

 

It is the Architects, the teachers of the

subject, the experts and the students who can change the way India looks in the future. You are the designers who will literally shape the country.

 

Come, be part of the launch of an exciting, important and necessary movement towards INCLUSION in the real sense of the word

 

...Anita N Iyer [EKansh]

 The Speakers:  

Ar. Shivani Gupta: Architect and tireless advocate for Inclusive Environments. Founder

partner of AccessAbility, Delhi.  

Ar. Abhishek Ray: Architect, universal design and accessibility expert and Co-founder of 'Disability Research and Design Foundation', Mumbai. 

Ar. Parul Kumtha: Architect, teaches an elective on Inclusive Architecture at Sir J.J.College of Architecture, Mumbai.  

Ar. Radhika Vaidya: Architect, Athshri Projects, working partner with Aniruddha Vaidya and Associates.  

Ms. Anita N Iyer: Founder and Managing Trustee. Ekansh, Pune. 

Ms. Jyoti Mate: Dance and Art therapist for children with Autism.  

Ms. Shilpi Kapoor: Managing Director, Barrier Break Technologies. 

Mr. Divyanshu Ganatra: Psychologist and founder, Yellow Brick Road.  

Mr. Arvind Prabhoo : Activist for Inclusion of People with Disabilities.

 

 

Course Content:

• Accessibility beyond physical access.

• Usability, Universal Design.

• The present legal framework

for Accessibility.

• Future trends.

• Universal Design on the urban

streetscape.

• Inclusion in the culture sector.

Museums and less observed sports and

marina facilities.

• Interactive problem solving.

• Designing for the differently abled.

• Special housing.

Residential spaces for the elderly and

disabled.

• Disabled friendly, accessible Technology.

• Accessible transportation and its

importance.

• Autism and access.

• Disability in the corporate realms, GPRS for the blind.

 Feedback and results  

This effort, begun to sensitize and awaken the collective conscience of the 'Design and Architecture Fraternity' in the country and the teachers of the subject, will hopefully snowball into a movement where every student accepts UD as a necessary and inseperable part of design and architecture.

 

It has to be taught, much like the alphabet is taught at the beginning of  structured language.

 

We talk of FOUNDATIONS in Architecture...and everyday life. Of ROOTS. They have to develop in the beginning. NOT at the end.

 

EKansh thanks NIASA, all the experts and the professors who participated in our 5 day workshop and made it a resounding success!!!!!