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I totally disagree with Mr. Balaji on his untenable opinions expressed by him.
His contention shows the mindset of common Indian in relation to the Disabled people. Unless and until the attitude of ours (able people) doesn't change Diabled people in India will have to suffer.
I would like to prove his arguments wrong .
I agree that the Banks are commercial organisations per se. And the Staff of PSBs are undergoing so much pressure in their daily routine because of VRS. I also experience this being banker (SBH). But it doesn't have to do anything in providing Disabled friendly environment. Just a mere spending for making accessible the physical environment for the disabled doesn't make any dent in the profits of any Bank. We don't need to install any separate counters for the Disabled. Just changing the present physical structure is sufficient.
Moreover the banks are socially and legally obligated to provide this type of atmosphere in Banks as per PWD Act 1995. As the Government is lenient about this act, people do not have much awareness about this act.
Mr.Balaji says even 0.5% of the customers of all branches are not disabled. I don't agree with this also. Even before providing the accessible environment in Banks how can you expect that there are less number of disabled customers. If the banks provide such environment one can observe that the number will increase like any thing.The main reason behing such less number (for the time let us assume that 0.5% is correct)is non avialability of barrier free environment. It obviates the need for the disabled people to depend on others for their banking needs. After all a disabled person also wants to keep his/her transactions secret as we do. In USA even the ATMs are facilitated with Braile. Why can't we do such things in India. IS providing disabled frinedly environment is that much hard for the Banks? Certainly not.
Disabled people do not require sypathy but empathy.
To put it in the words of the disabled:
It not tragic to live in a wheel chair. disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things one needs to lead one's life. The design of our physical environment should reflect our understanding of the real needs of the disabled.
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