from: INCLUSION DAILY EXPRESS
http://www.InclusionDaily.com
***HAWKING'S VISIT HAD POWERFUL IMPACT ON ACCESSIBILITY***
CHENNAI, INDIA--In academic circles, British physicist Stephen Hawking is
considered one of the most influential scientists of our time.
In India, he is now being considered one of the most influential people
among the disability community -- even though this may not have been his
intention.
A month ago, Professor Hawking, who has what is commonly known as "Lou
Gehrig's Disease" and uses a wheelchair, visited India. While there, he
traveled to several universities and even met with President K.R. Narayanan.
Before the visit, disability rights advocates pointed out that many of the
places Hawking planned to visit were not accessible. The Archaeological
Society of India (ASI) didn't see too much of a problem with this. They had
selected a number of people to physically carry the famous scientist from
place to place.
Finally, at the last minute, ASI and the Ministry of Family Welfare and
Social Justice changed their minds and ordered ramps to be built. Not only
that, they put the Institute for the Physically Handicapped in charge of the
project.
Now, several people who have been leading the way for accessibility for
years are hopeful that Hawking's visit signaled a turning point in the
struggle for a more accessible India.
Today's edition of The Hindu On-line points out a number of areas where
improvements are being experienced:
http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/2001/02/20/stories/0420401m.htm
The Hindu On-line ran this article about ASI's change of heart on the eve of
Hawking's visit last month:
http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/2001/01/16/stories/02160006.htm
"People may not fully understand science or the depth of your genius, but
you are a symbol of human hope personifying the triumph of human spirit over
matter," President K.R. Narayanan told Hawking last month, as reported in
this story about the January 15 visit:
http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/2001/01/16/stories/01160007.htm
---
Adrian Higginbotham.
SURFACE (Salford University, Research Focus on Accessible Environments).
tel: (44_-161-2953949,
fax (44)-161-2955011,
Email [log in to unmask]
textphone (44)-161-2953599.
web: http://www.scpm.salford.ac.uk/surface/
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