I am happy that a training manual titled "Access for All" to promote Barrier Free Environment has been prepared by RCI and Samarthya. Access is a very wide concept. The term Access is not an act or state, but a liberty to enter, to approach, to communicate with and to participate or make use of physical, environmental and structural systems, processes, etc., regardless of type and degree of disability, gender or age.

A freely accessible society without any physical obstacles is a first and foremost requirement to mainstream people with disabilities. Right to education, work, freedom of mobility of expression is of no relevance unless the points of entry to success, work place, sports and cultural arenas are made accessible. It is only then that people with disabilities will be able to tap their potentials, hidden talents and give back to society what they receive from it.

I hope the technical information provided in the manual will serve as a useful guide and will assist in creating barrier free features in all buildings facilitating the people with disabilities to be independent in their daily life. I am sure the manual will prove to be extremely useful in creating the right environment which will ensure "Access for All" and bring a new light into the lives of persons with disabilities as an inclusive and right based society.

Major H. P. S. Ahluwalia, frgs
Chairman, RCI
April , 2005

Contents of Book

Module 1

1. Chapter 1  Orientation to the Course
2. Chapter 2  Perceptions, Definitions and Terminology
3. Chapter 3  Constitutional and Statutory Provision

Module 2

1. Chapter 1  Concept of Non-handicapping Environment, Barrier-
   Free Environments and Universal Design
2. Chapter 2  Functions of Access Features
3. Chapter 3  anthropometrics

Module 3

1. Chapter 1  Disability Awareness
2. Chapter 2  Guide to Conduct Disability Simulation Exercise

Module 4

1. Chapter 1  Design Considerations
2. Chapter 2  Residential
3. Chapter 3  Places of Recreation (Theatres, Auditoriums, Parks, etc.)
4. Chapter 4  Fire Evacuation Needs

Module 5

1. Chapter 1  Case Study of Voluntary Services Overseas Office, New Delhi

Module 6

1. Chapter 1  Barrier Free Transportation
2. Chapter 2  Barrier Free Tourism
3. Chapter 3  Accessibility in Rural Areas

Module 7

1. Chapter 1  Field Visit (Access Survey/Audit)
2. Chapter 2  Access Survey/Audit of a Pre-Selected Site
3. Chapter 3  Report Making -Comprehensive Solution with
4. Illustrations

Module 8

1. Chapter 1  Access Survey/Audit Checklist
2. Chapter 2  Community Accessibility CheckList

Module 9

1. Chapter 1  Illustrative Training Materials "Training of Trainers"

Module 10

1. Chapter 1  PWD Act
2. Chapter 2  Regional Training Workshop on Promotion of accessible Tourism Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
3. Chapter 3  Biwako Millennium Framework
4. Bibliography