The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment organised a visit of 14 youths with disabilities from all over India, to experience accessible tourism, at the Statue of Unity, in Vadodara, Gujarat today. This visit is being organised under the Accessible India campaign of this Department that had been launched by the Prime Minister, in 2015.
The RPwD Act, 2016 mandates all public infrastructure, hospitals, academic institutions, railways, airports, public transports, sports facilities etc. including monuments, religious places to be made accessible by 2022. Universal Accessibility at cultural centres, historical monuments and adventure tourist sites will increase the footfall of tourists within the country and from across the globe.
The Statue of Unity in Narmada district depicts the first Home Minister Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, in an imposing statue of 182 mtr. which can be accessed through escalators, walking conveyor belts, lifts, accessible toilets, ramps and wheelchairs.