DPI/AP Reports 2009

Accessibility Audit, United Nations Convention Center (UNCC), Bangkok, Thailand, 3 April 2009

Background

The 13 participants of the UNESCAP accessibility audit from UNESCAP , DPI/AP and DPOs

The Accessibility Audit of the UNCC conducted was proposed through joint collaboration between the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Disabled Peoplesโ€™ International Asia-Pacific (DPI/AP), National Association of the Deaf in Thailand (NADT) and the Thailand Association of the Blind (TAB) in order to promote equal access to UNCC under the Interdivisional Working Group on Accessibility Improvement established in 2008. Persons with disabilities have the right to active membership of their societies without facing difficulties and discrimination caused by social and physical barriers.

As is widely documented, persons with disabilities face greater barriers to social participation than persons without disability. Inaccessibility is one reason for a lack of full participation in society by persons with disability, whereby a lack of full participation is directly linked to poverty. The collaborative efforts of international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and civil society however, can directly lead to positive and sustainable change. Focusing on enabling accessibility of buildings, such as UNCC, is vital progress in the human rights of persons with disability.

Auditing the accessibility of the elevator

Furthermore, the United Nations has a responsibility and has to play a leading role to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities (UNCRPD) throughout UN agencies. The Accessibility Audit aims to promote equal access to the UNCC building by providing recommendations for improvement based on best practice.

SUMMARY OF THE AUDIT

The Accessibility Audit was co-organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and Disabled Peoplesโ€™ International Asia-Pacific (DPI/AP) on 3 April 2009 at UNCC, Bangkok.

There were 12 participants from DPI/AP, UNESCAP, International Labour Organization (ILO), representatives from the social development division, the facility management unit, and persons with disability.

The objectives of the training were twofold, namely (1) to improve accessibility of the UNCC building in Bangkok, and; (2) to develop action plans which outline specific actions to be taken by UNCC in order to meet best practice accessibility. The Audit was conducted at the following locations:

  1. Security
  2. Registration Counter
  3. Drinking Fountain
  4. Elevators
  5. Washroom (including doors)
  6. Parking

The outcomes of the training includes (1) successfully auditing the accessibility of security, registration counter, drinking fountain, elevator, washroom (including doors) and parking of the UNCC building; (2) enabling Persons with disabilities to voice their opinions and concerns regarding first-hand experience of accessibility of the UNCC building in line with โ€œnothing about us without usโ€; (3) UNCC has the documentation required to strengthen their accessibility; (4) strengthening the collaboration between UNESCAP, DPI/AP, NADT and TAB with the aim of creating positive and sustainable change.

Please download the full report from http://www.dpiap.org/downloads/2009/ACCESS-AUDIT-APRIL-2009-04-20.doc (Word format , 550 KB)

Author: Ms. Maria Karagiozakis
Language: English
When: 20/4/2009

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