Despite repeated assurances, most government offices and public buildings in Goa remain far from barrier-free for persons with disabilities (PwDs). The claim of making offices disabled-friendly exists largely on paper.
Essential facilities like ramps, wheelchairs, and accessible pathways are missing. At Junta House, vehicles”often of employees”block entrances, making access nearly impossible. Markets too remain unfriendly to the disabled.
Accessibility barriers go beyond buildings. Public transport is notoriously hostile to differently abled commuters, denying them the dignity of performing daily tasks that others take for granted. This lack of inclusion not only restricts access to services but also limits employment opportunities.
Ironically, while private homes are carefully designed, the Public Works Department lags in creating pro-disabled infrastructure in offices and public spaces. From transport and sidewalks to government complexes, facilities remain ill-equipped to meet accessibility needs.
Accessibility is not charity”it is a constitutional obligation and a fundamental human right. Panaji cannot claim to be a “smart city” until it ensures equal access for all.
