Kerala for All conclave: Attitudes, not infrastructure, are the real barrier to accessibility, says Paralympian Ekta Bhyan

Asserting that attitudinal barriers, more than infrastructural limitations, confine people with disabilities to their homes, Paralympian and world champion Ekta Bhyan called for the inclusion of elderly persons in accessibility initiatives.

Addressing the session ‘Voices from the Road: Lived Realities of Diverse Travellers’ at the Kerala for All conclave on inclusive and accessible tourism, organised by Kerala Tourism and The Hindu, Ms. Bhyan said accessibility remains a distant dream in a country like India. “You may not have a person with disability in your family, but if you have an elderly member at home, you will surely understand how crucial accessibility to public infrastructure and public transportation is,” she said.

‘Sports, an ideal route’

Divyanshu Ganatra, founder of the Adventures Beyond Barriers Foundation, who spoke at the session, said the status of persons with disabilities as a largely invisible minority is due to society’s lack of contact with them. “This lack of contact breeds bias and perpetuates it,” he noted, while calling for systemic changes. According to him, the most effective way to achieve this is by delinking the disability model of accessibility from charity. “Sports, for instance, is an ideal route for achieving this, as it speaks the same language to everyone. It helps push the concept of accessibility through spirit and intention,” he said.

‘Faulty implementation’

According to Mr. Ganatra, accessibility in India still has a long way to go. “It is not that we lack legislation to promote accessibility. It is on the implementation side that we are falling behind,” he added.

Joby Mathew, Indian para-athlete and champion arm wrestler from Kerala, also highlighted how lack of access to public spaces continues to impede his daily life despite his sporting achievements. “Even when measures such as ramps are provided, we are often not allowed to use them independently and require the support of a volunteer in India. This is not the case in many foreign countries,” he said.

The session was moderated by K.C. Vijaya Kumar, Sports Editor, The Hindu.