Friday, February 26, 2021

Election Commission allows Postal ballot to electors above the age of 80 years & electors with physical disability

Election Commission of India has issued a notification under Section 60(c) of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951bearing No.52/2021/SDR/Vol.l dated 26 Feb 2021  extending the facility of postal ballot to Electors above the age of 80 years and also to Electors with physical disability. 

Download the notification here [PDF 62 KB] or read below:


Monday, October 05, 2020

Opportunity for participating in CPABE Pilot Exam and get IAAP's CPABE certification at 50% of the listed fee

Dear Colleagues,

The International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) is  a platform where accessibility professionals from around the world come together to define, promote and improve the accessibility profession through networking, education and certification. 

The IAAP has, over the past year, established a Taskforce of Subject Matter Experts to prepare certification exams for 'Certified Professional in Accessible Built Environments (CPABE)' credential, one of the programs that were originally developed under GAATES leadership, identifying the need of this professional recognition to ensure universally designed spaces for a greater global impact. It was transitioned to G3ict and is being led by its division IAAP now.

The CPABE pilot is currently open (September 30 to October 30, 2020). Limited space is available! IAAP is currently seeking pilot participants to fill the remaining spots for these exams.  The participants would be considered early adopters of the program content, already have the necessary skills and experience to pass the exam with little preparation. A DRAFT of the Body of Knowledge is also available to guide registered participants. You may read more about it at the following links:

1. The overview of the CPABE Pilot 

2. Registration for CPABE Pilot 

3. Exam Outline to guide the applicants

Exams are completed online with a proctor of your choosing or one assigned by IAAP at no additional cost. If you, or members of your extended network, champion Universal Design in the built environment, meet the certification criteria and would like to take part in the pilot, participants will help to shape the final outcomes of the program before public launch and earn certification at 50% off the list price.

 

Please register today or contact Ms. Tracey Shipman, IAAP's Program Manager with any questions you may have at email tshipman@accessibilityassociation.org


 


Saturday, July 25, 2020

Join Webinar on "A Dialogue on Expectations & Challenges of Persons with Disabilities during Covid19 Crisis organised by NIUA


Image of webinar creative with text: A Dialogue on Expectation and Challenges of Persons with Disabilities during CoVID-19 Crisis
We are excited to share that National Institute of Urban Affairs is organising a webinar series on "Building Accessible, Safe and Inclusive Cities (BASIIC)" in partnership with DFID (Govt. of UK). As a part of this series, our Executive Director, Mr. TD Dhariyal would be participating in "A Dialogue on Expectation and Challenges of Persons with Disabilities during CoVID-19 Crisis". The webinar is scheduled on 28 July 2020 from 2.30 PM to 4.00 PM.

Other speakers on the panel include Shri Dipendra Manocha, Trustee Saksham Trust, Dr. Shanti Auluck, Chairperson and Founder Muskan The NGO and Ms. Pratistha Deveshwar, a Motivational Speaker.

You are invited to join in. Please register for the event at this LINK

Visit NIUA website to know more about  Project 'BASIIC' supported by DFID.







Monday, June 15, 2020

Sh. Amor Kool speaks at a Webinar on Lighting, Ventilation and Building Envelope Optimisation organised by BIS and Ramco Cement Ltd on 12 Jul 2020

The National Building Code of India 2016 is a comprehensive document of various Indian Standards addressing the most critical and pertinent issues of building construction, varying from Fire and Life safety, structure safety, sustainability or accessibility. 

Informative banner of webinar titled- Sustainability in Buildings and Built Environment as per NBC 2016
Informative Banner about the Webinar
We are proud to have two of our directors serving two critical committees in NBC 2016, Accessibility and Sustainability. Mr Subhash Vashishth and Mr. Amor Kool are key members involved in drafting and standards formulation on the said respective aspects of this code of national importance. Both of our directors have reached out to developers, architects, engineers and occupants across India to spread awareness about the topics which are as of now not yet acknowledged but are critical for our future. 

On 12 June 2020,  The Bureau of Indian Standards in partnership with Ramco Cement Limited and Association of Structural and Geotechnical Consultants, organised a web based workshop on 'Sustainability in Buildings and Built Environment as per NBC 2016' where in Mr. Amor Kool was invited to address as the subject expert and a member on the BIS Panel for Sustainability.

The web based workshop began with the inaugural address of the Sh. J. Roy Chowdhury, DDG Standardisation (P&M). Shri Sanjay Pant, Head Civil Engg BIS and Mrs. Madhurima Madhav, Scientist D (Civil Engg), BIS gave an overview of the Sustainability provisions in the NBC 2016.

Screenshot image of webinar in progress showing Mr. Amor Kool speaking
Sh. Amor Kool speaking 
Mr. Amor Kool, Director -Sustainability, CABE Foundation  spoke on "Lighting, Ventilation and Building Envelope Optimisation" highlighting the importance of designing the built structures post COVID-19 scenario keeping principals of sustainability in mind. He shared pointers through which the design of built environment respects the region and local construction materials. 

"The approach towards sustainability is wholistic, it cannot be categorised and placed under different baskets. It is like in architectural terms, if you miss a centimetre at the start of the line you may loose out a meter at the end of it. Every category is equally important, if orientation is not thought out properly, then not only daylight but ventilation patterns, thickness of walls, quality of glass and many such things have to be re-negotiated." Mr. Kool emphasised.
Screenshot image of Q&A session during the webinar
Q&A Session addressed by experts
He further suggested that if a building is well thought through, the cost of construction should not increase, rather it’ll optimise.  Major takeaways from his talk.  "Everything is linked, every matter in this world, living and non living, thereby, it is critical to have balance. We cannot wait indefinitely to change our designs and the way we perceive our environment if we really want our built environment to be sustainable.” he said.

This was followed by a long Q&A session where Mr. Sanjay Pant, Mr. Amor Kool responded to the queries raised by workshop participants.

Saturday, May 30, 2020

On CABE's representation, DEPwD writes to States seeking disaggregated data of Covid- 19 affected persons by disabilities

New Delhi, 30 May 2020

The number of persons infected by Covid- 19 Pandemic is rising each day and we are sure a large number of persons with disabilities would also be affected due to their enhanced vulnerabilities because of dependence on others. However, it is not known whether disaggregated data by disabilities is being compiled and maintained by the concerned authorities.  

Also Section 8 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 requires the authorities to take appropriate measures to ensure inclusion of persons with disabilities and the DDMAs are required to maintain record of details of persons with disabilities in the district and take suitable measures to inform such persons of any situations of risk so as to enhance disaster preparedness. Article 31.2 of the UNCRPD also obligates the states parties to disaggregate the information and the data to use it to identify and address the barriers faced by persons with disabilities in exercising their rights. Goal 17.18 of SGDs on data, monitoring and accountability also envisages availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by disability among others.

As per National Disaster Management Plan November 2019, a Handicap International study in 2015 (HI 2015) found that 75% of people with disabilities believe that they are excluded from humanitarian responses to emergencies like natural disasters and conflict. They are often overlooked and excluded in risk reduction and disaster response measures. Persons with disabilities are also at a higher risk than others. 

In light of absence of mechanisms for collating disability disaggregated, CABE sent a representation to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare  on 28 April 2020, seeking consideration of the following: 
i)  The data and information relating to Covid- 19 affected persons (i.e. those infected, quarantined, treated, died, etc.) may be desegregated by disabilities and be made available in the public domain.
ii) The concerned authorities may be advised to ensure that persons with disabilities are included throughout the DRM Cycle.
iii) Specific vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities among the Covid- 19 affected persons should be addressed effectively and with high degree of sensitivity. 
iv) They should not be clubbed with other persons for this purpose. It should be ensured that they are not abandoned after they are released from quarantine facility/ hospital.
The DEPwD, acting on our representation, vide its email dated 30 May 2020, addressed to Principal Secretary / Secretary dealing with empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in all States and Union Territories, has asked them to furnish detailed disaggregated data in respect of persons with disabilities.

Download communications here:

Thursday, April 23, 2020

CABE Foundation conducts online sessions for M Phil Scholars of NIEPA on 22 & 23 April 2020

During these challenging times of the second nation wide lockdown extended till 03 May 2020, all activities in the field have been brought to a halt, however, the online interactions make it possible to do quite a few things, particularly training of stakeholders.
Image of Mr. TD Dhariyal addressing the NIEPA scholar during the online webinar
Sh. Dhariyal addressing NIEPA Scholars online

At the invitation of National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), Shri T. D. Dhariyal, Director CABE Foundation, conducted two Sessions for  M.Phil. Scholars studying at the institute on 22 and 23 April 2020.

The interactive sessions focussed  on the issues concerning Inclusive Education of children and adults with disabilities, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and other related Acts such as RTE Act, Commission for Protection of Child Right Act, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act impacting the  Education of children with disabilities (CwDs) . 


The National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), (Deemed to be University) established by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, is a premier organisation dealing with capacity building and research in policy-making, planning and management of education not only in India but also in South Asia.

In recognition of the pioneering work done by the organisation in the field of educational planning and administration, the Government of India have empowered it to award its own degrees by way of conferring it the status of Deemed to be University in August, 2006. Like any Central University, NIEPA is fully maintained by the Government of India.

Sunday, March 08, 2020

Advisory Work in Malaysia by Mr. TD Dhariyal at the invitation of MCCHR and Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation

10 March 2020, New Delhi

Image of Sh. Dhariyal speaking at the Consultation in Malaysia
Sh. TD Dhariyal making his suggestions
Mr. T. D. Dhariyal, Director, Centre for Accessibility in Built Environment participated as one of the two foreign experts for consultation and guidance to the “Promise 51 Workshop & Consultation to Enhance the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” (PP51) held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 6 – 7 March 2020 at the invitation of  the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism & Human Rights (MCCHR), the Project Law Strike Force.  MCCHR is a body of lawyers for National Expert Consultations and Drafting of Model Laws for Human Rights Reforms in Malaysia.

Mr. Nagase Osamu, Visiting Professor, Kinugasa Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University, Japan was the other international expert invited for this important consultation by Malaysia.

The MCCHR aims to bring about broader pro-human rights changes in society and within the Malaysian law through strategic litigation on selected areas of human rights; freedom of expression & peaceful assembly, right to fair trial, equality and non-discrimination, freedom of religion and protection of human rights defenders. It also provides strategic litigation training workshops to law students, pupils-in-chamber and lawyers on a regular basis.

The Workshop brought together the eminent lawyers, the experts, DPOs and CSOs to discuss cases of violations of the rights of persons with disabilities and to review amendments to the existing law of 2008.

A group photo of participants of the workshop in Malaysia
Group Photo of participants on Day 2
Shri Dhariyal strongly suggested to harmonise the Malaysian Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 with UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and gave specific examples from the judgements passed by him as the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Delhi during his tenure that ended on 31st Dec 2019. The audience was quite impressed by the orders and Suo Motu cases taken up by Sh. Dhariyal for enforcement of the India's Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and raising awareness of the government machinery and other stakeholders to implement the mandate of the law in true spirit.   Various suggestions made by Mr. Dhariyal to harmonise the Malaysian Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 with CRPD was very well received and the audience was quite impressed by his  orders passed during by him while holding the Office of the Court of State Commissioner for Persons With Disabilities, Delhi, that were cited as case studies.

Mr. Dhariyal was earlier invited by Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation to guide them and the Disability Law Reform group and make a presentation and engage in Q and A at a forum to generate an evidence base to support review of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2008 in December 2019.

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Accessible Loksabha Elections 2019: a successful endeavor of Election Commission of India

The motto of ‘Accessible Elections’ was one among the many initiatives of Election Commission of India to make the world’s largest democratic exercise inclusive and participative for all. During the Lok Sabha Elections 2019, special focus was given to ensure the participation of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). A total of 62,63,701 PwDs were registered within an electorate of 910 million. 

Download Press Release No. ECI/PN/74/2019 Dated: 28th July, 2019 by Election Commission of India, detailing the successful endeavour of ECI  [PDF 847KB] or read below:


 


Assured Minimum Facilities in Polling Stations (AMF):

 

Thursday, March 01, 2018

CABE conducted an Access Sensitisation Workshop for North Municipal Corporation of Delhi

Picture of Sh. TD Dhariyal, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities  for Govt. of Delhi explaining the mandate of RPWD Act 2016 during the Access Sensitization workshop

Sh. TD Dhariyal, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities 
for Govt. of Delhi explaining the mandate of RPWD Act 2016
01 Mar 2018, New Delhi

On an invitation from the North Municipal Corporation of Delhi, CABE Team today organised an Access Sensitisation Workshop for the Senior Engineers and Architects of the North MCD in presence of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Sh. TD Dhariyal. Incidentally, the North MCD is also facing notices from the Court of State Commissioner for inaccessibility of sidewalks, street infrastructure, public toilets and office buildings. Hon'ble Delhi High Court has also made strong observations in a public interest litigation filed by Sh. Nipun Malhotra against different civic bodies. The training was organised in this context so that the concerned officials were sensitised and trained on the mandate of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act  2016 and the accessibility requirements under the law and guidelines.


Picture 1 of Attendees at the Access Sensitization workshop
Fig A. Senior Engineers and Architects of the Corporation attending the Workshop

Picture 2 of participants at the workshop showing Senior Engineers and Architects of the Corporation
Fig B. Senior Engineers and Architects of the Corporation attending the Workshop

Picture 3 of the participants attending the workshop
Fig. Sh. Amor Kool detailing the importance of Universal Design while planning and renovating infrastructure. 

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2016 and the Rules notified by the Govt. of India thereunder require the Public Authorities to meet the mandate of accessibility in public infrastructure and transportation within five years of the notification while for organisations (both private and public) need to make their services accessible within two years of the notification of the Act. It has already a year since the law has passed and the ground reality presents a grim picture. Unless the municipalities and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) immediately incorporate and adopt an Action Plan / Strategy Document for achieving the mandate of accessibility for the areas under their jurisdiction, it will be too late.

The RPWD Act 2016 presents an opportunity before the ULBs and developmental agencies to adopt Accessibility Plans for their areas for time bound implementation to promote inclusive communities in addition to smart cities. The time to act is now, before it is too late.



Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Udaipur to host next 2-Day National Workshop on National Building Code of India 2016 on 15-16 March 2018

Dear Colleagues,

This is in continuation of our earlier post dated 14 Feb 18. The next Awareness Raising Workshop on recently revised National Building Code 2016 is schedule during 15-16 March 2018 at Udaipur City of Rajasthan, India. 

Bureau of Indian Standards jointly with Institutional of Engineers (India) Udaipur Local Centre is organizing this 2-day Workshop  Delhi, India at College of Technology and Engineering (CTAE), University Road, Ganapati Nagar, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001.

It is reiterated that the speakers indicated in the workshop program below are Conveners/Expert members of the relevant chapters of the Code who have contributed in the revision of NBC.

Session IV is dedicated to Building Services: Lighting and Natural Ventilation which would be presented by a senior member of  our CABE Team. Here is the tentative program: 

2-day National Workshop on  National Building Code of India 2016 Tentative Program:
(15 & 16 March 2018 @ CTAE, MPUAC, Udaipur)

Thursday, 15 March 2018
0900h – 1000h
Registration
1000h – 1100h
Inaugural Session
1100h – 1130h
High Tea
1130h – 1330h
Session I Overview of NBC 2016 including Administration, Development                  Control Rules & General Building Requirements
Speaker:   Shri Sanjay Pant, Director & Head (Civil Engg), BIS
1330h – 1430h
Lunch
1430h – 1515h
Session II  Building Services - Electrical Installations
Speaker: Smt Shruti Goel (Member, Panel for Electrical Installations of NBC 2016)        
1515h – 1615h
Session III   Fire and Life Safety
Speaker:      Shri S.K. Dheri (Convener, Panel for Fire Protection of NBC 2016)
1615h – 1630h
Tea
1630h – 1730h

Session IV  Building Services – Lighting and Natural Ventilation
Speaker:      Shri Amor Kool (Member, Panel for Lighting and Natural Ventilation of NBC 2016)

Friday, 16 March 2018
0900h – 1100h
Session V    Structural Design Including Disaster Resistant Design of
                     Structures
Speaker:       Shri V.V. Arora (Convener, Panel for Masonry of NBC 2016)
1100h – 1130h
Tea
1130h – 1230h
Session VI   Approach to Sustainability
Speaker:       Dr. Prem C. Jain (Convener, Panel for Sustainability of NBC 2016)  - TBC
1230h – 1330h
Session VII  Provisions on Accessibility
Speaker:       Smt Madhurima Madhav, Scientist C (Civil Engg), BIS
1330h – 1430h
Lunch
1430h – 1545h
Session VIII  Construction Management, Practices and Safety
Speaker:       Shri Jose Kurian (Convener, Panel for Concrete of NBC 2016) 
1545h – 1600h
Tea
1600h – 1700h
Session IX   Plumbing Services
Speaker:       To be confirmed
1700h – 1730h
Concluding Session
1730h
High Tea

Registration:-

Please note that the registration shall be done on first come first serve basis and registration is mandatory for entry to the workshop. For further details, enquiry and registration, please contact :

Shri Y.K. Bolia ,
Hony. Secretary, IEI-ULC
Institution of Engineers (India),
Udaipur Local Centre,
1285, Hiran Magri, Sector 11
Udaipur- 313 002
Phone: 0294-2583702
Mobile: 9414254531
Email: ieiulc@gmail.com, 
ykbolia@gmail.com

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Invitation for a 2-Day National Workshop on National Building Code of India 2016: 20-21 Feb, 2018 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi

Banner depicting a road with background of buildings in an urban setting with text  "BIS in association with the Indian Buildings Congress New Delhi and CPWD, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, is organising a 2-day workshop on National Building Code of India 2016 on 20-21 February 2018 at Vigyan Bhavan New Delhi

Dear Colleagues,



The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), as part of its efforts towards ensuring safety and sustainability of buildings and built environment, has been continuously working towards formulation and revision of Indian Standards on diverse areas impacting quality and safety of construction.  In this direction, BIS has revised the National Building Code of India (2005 version) and notified the latest version National Building Code of India -2016

In order to disseminate information about the the Code, BIS jointly with the Indian Buildings Congress (IBC), New Delhi, and in association with Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, is organizing a 2-day Workshop on "National Building Code of India 2016" on 20 & 21 February 2018 at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, India. It may be noted that the speakers indicated in the workshop program below are Conveners/Expert members of the relevant chapters of the Code who have contributed in the revision of NBC. Session II is dedicated to the provisions on Accessibility covered in the National Building Code. 

A copy of the Invitation brochure published by Indian Buildings Congress can be accessed Here. 

2-day National Workshop on  National Building Code of India 2016 Tentative Program:

Tuesday, 20 February 2018
0900h – 1000h
Registration
1000h – 1100h
Inaugural Session
1100h – 1130h
High Tea
1130h – 1300h
Session I    Overview of NBC 2016 including Administration, Development  Control Rules & General Building Requirements
Chairman: Shri V. Suresh (Convener, Panel for Administration, Development Control & General Building Requirements of NBC 2016)
Speaker:      Shri Sanjay Pant (Head (Civil Engg), BIS)
1300h – 1400h
Lunch
1400h – 1445h
Session II    Provisions on Accessibility
Chairman:    Shri T. N. Gupta (Convener, Panel for Building Materials, of NBC 2016)
Speaker:      Shri Subhash Chandra Vashishth (Member, Panel for Administration,
                     Development Control & General Building Requirements of NBC 2016)
1445h – 1630h
Session III   Fire and Life Safety
Chairman:    Dr Anoop K Mittal (Sr Vice President, IBC & CMD, NBCC India Ltd.)
Speaker:      Shri S.K. Dheri (Convener, Panel for Fire Protection of NBC 2016)
                    Shri Gulshan Khurana (Member, Panel for Fire Protection of NBC 2016)
                    Shri Sandeep Goel (Member, Panel for Fire Protection of NBC 2016)
1630h – 1645h
Tea
1645h – 1730h
Session IV   Asset and Facility Management
Chairman:     Shri Deepak Narayan, Past President, IBC
Speaker:       Shri Krishna Kant (Convener, Panel for Asset & Facility Management
                      of NBC 2016)

Wednesday, 21 February 2018
1000h – 1130h
Session V    Structural Design Including Disaster Resistant Design of
                     Structures
Chairman:     Dr D. K. Paul (Chairman, Earthquake Engineering Committee of BIS)
Speaker:       Shri V.V. Arora (Convener, Panel for Masonry of NBC 2016)
1130h – 1200h
Tea
1200h – 1300h
Session VI   Prefabrication, Systems Building and Mixed/Composite
                     Construction  
Chairman:    Shri Rajesh Goel, CMD, Hindustan Prefab Limited, New Delhi
Speaker:      Shri M.P. Naidu (Convener, Panel for Prefabrication and Systems
                     Building of NBC 2016)
1300h – 1400h
Lunch
1400h – 1500h
Session VII  Construction Management, Practices and Safety
Chairman:     Shri H S Dogra (Chairman, CEDC, BIS)  
Speaker:       Shri Jose Kurian (Convener, Panel for Concrete of NBC 2016)  
1500h – 1545h
Session VIII Building Services - Electrical Installations
Chairman:    Dr. Prem C. Jain (Convener, Panel for Sustainability of NBC 2016) 
Speaker:      Smt Shruti Goel (Member, Panel for Electrical Installations, NBC2016)      
1545h – 1600h
Tea
1600h – 1645h
Session IX  Building Services - ICT in Buildings
Chairman:   Shri  Prabhakar Singh, Special DG, (DR.),CPWD
Speaker:     Shri AK Mittal,(Convener, Panel for ICT in Buildings of NBC 2016)       
1645h – 1745h









Panel Discussion cum Concluding Session
Chairman:       Shri K.B. Rajoria, Past President, IBC

     Panelists
Topic
Dr. Mahesh Kumar
Water
Shri Rajeev Goel
Aggregates
Dr. Vimal Kumar
Bricks
Shri J. Asudani
Sand
Shri H.K. Srivastava
Skill Development
Shri Rajesh Goel
Transportation
Shri Shishir Bansal 
Centering & Shuttering


1745h
High Tea

Registration
Please note that the registration shall be done on first come first serve basis and registration is mandatory for entry to the workshop. For further details, enquiry and registration, please contact :

Shri Pradeep Mittal 
Hony. Secretary
Indian Buildings Congress,
Sector-VI, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110022
Phone: 011-26170197, 26169531, Fax: 26196391
Mobile: 9811075333; 9311075333
Email: info@ibc.org.in, indianbldgscongress@gmail.com


About NBC
The National Building Code of India (NBC), a comprehensive building Code, is a national instrument providing guidelines for regulating the building construction activities across the country. It serves as a Model Code for adoption by all agencies involved in building construction works be they Public Works Departments, other government construction departments, local bodies or private construction agencies. The Code mainly contains administrative regulations, development control rules and general building requirements; fire safety requirements; stipulations regarding materials, structural design and construction (including safety); building and plumbing services; approach to sustainability; and asset and facility management.