Santosh Kumar Rungta: Housing must be accessible and inclusive

For persons with disabilities, housing is not merely a building, but an accessible and inclusive living environment, Santosh Kumar Rungta, President of the World Blind Union, said at the event titled "In Search of Best Solutions for Sustainable Housing and Resilient Cities: Voices of Cities," organized within the framework of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku, Report informs.

According to him, the absence of ramps, tactile paths, accessible transport connections, and appropriate digital services in residential buildings makes those spaces unsuitable for persons with disabilities.

"If a building is not accessible, it cannot be considered housing for us. Housing policy in the world has primarily been valued as a means of economic growth, while its social function has remained in the background. Housing is perceived as a market product, a real estate investment, and an infrastructure project. However, it is a fundamental right related to human dignity, independence, and integration into society," he stated.

Rungta noted that as a result of this approach, millions of persons with disabilities face accessibility problems, homelessness, and social isolation.

"In some countries, positive changes are taking place under the influence of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. A number of countries have incorporated universal design principles into their building codes. In India, mandatory accessibility requirements have been implemented within the framework of the law on the rights of persons with disabilities," he emphasized.

The President of the World Blind Union stated that in some European countries, social housing projects implement step-free entrances, tactile elements, accessible transport, and community-based support systems: "Accessibility is not an element added afterward; it must be considered at the initial stage of design. Housing designed in an inclusive manner benefits not only persons with disabilities but also the elderly, women, children, and other vulnerable groups."