|
My name is Ricardo Laurenti but I'm known as the SACI reporter. Before becoming tetraplegic due to a car accident 19 years ago, I was unaware of the physical obstacles that may prevent the access to people with different needs, and not only people with disabilities. Pregnant women, elder people, obese people or people with heart diseases may also benefit from adaptations like ramps instead of steps, bath tubs with bars and correctly posinitioned toilet sits. These are just some examples of the Universal Design trend that defends all people should have equal conditions for the use of a space. After all, there are no two persons alike.
Introducing these elements randomly is not enough, patterns must be obeyed to. Here in Brazil , the Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT - Brazilian Association for Technical Norms) has already published a study with guidelines to how these adaptations can be correctly made. Last April, these norms were updated, and they are now much more comprehensive. Unfortunately they can only be accessed to by paying a fee, which limits its spreading.
I said I'm know has the SACI reporter but I still haven't said what I do. I think it's obvious by now that my work has to do with accessibility, right? I act has a researcher about the accessibility conditions in public and private facilities for an electronic network of information about disability issues, the SACI Network - www.saci.org.br . Our activity is mainly internet-based, like news, articles and events concerning disabilities. The goal of the SACI Network is, by means of information spreading, to help include people socially, whether it is in school, in work, in information technologies. That is, we believe in accessibility has a whole.
Among the more than 80 articles I've written, there were not many times I could say a facility was well adapted. In almost every case the adaptations, when there are any, do not observe accessibility norms. In general, I could see that they're carried out considering only mobility, and forgetting other impairments like hearing or visual.
The absence of rule abiding adaptations is mainly due to the lack of information among the population and the government itself. Therefore preconceived ideas and myths are made about the image of people with disabilities. For example, society faces people with disabilities as persons who don't like to leave their homes. In fact, it's the lack of accessibility conditions - in public transportation, in buildings or leisure areas - that makes it difficult for people with disabilities to move around, making them feel unproductive. If they can't even dress themselves, how could they study or work?
This situation, however, has been changing for the past four years. The mass media, capable of scrutinizing and demanding the respect for the rights and duties of citizens have opened space and made it possible for the issue of disabilities to be widely let out. And we all know information is the first step for the end of prejudice.
Even people with disabilities who were unaware of their lawful rights have started demanding their observance, which is not asking for too much. We only want our right to come and go. I always say this: "Leave your homes. Be seen". And use your strolls to write about the accessibility conditions you meet. That is also a way of pressuring society. The Voluntary SACI Reporter is the space offered by the SACI Network for all - even those who have no disabilities - to contribute to the building of an inclusive society.
|
