EKansh Trust
presents
YOUniversal Design
All India Photo Contest and Exhibition
OUTREACH PARTNER: NASA
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENTS OF ARCHITECTURE
RESULTS ON 2ND OCTOBER 2023, WORLD ARCHITECTURE DAY
Note from Accessibility Expert, Founder and Managing Trustee EKansh Trust, Anita Iyer Narayan:
It is imperative that Universal Design in built spaces becomes a part of the syllabus. Lack of access to pubic built spaces impacts many lives and basic human rights like education, social interaction, employment, recreation, travel, medical & legal aid, etc. This is ethically, morally and legally wrong.
As an access auditor and a passionate advocate for Inclusion, I began this NGO and conceptualized this contest [one of many efforts, kindly browse the website] with the belief that young minds must be sensitized. While we know and agree that all public spaces must be accessible for all including PwD, we often only see some poorly built ramps and randomly placed tactile paving as examples. There is so much more that needs to change. I hope that students will sign up for the contest in large numbers, and wish the participants all the very best.
Jai Hind.
EKANSH TRUST PRESENTS
YOUniversal Design
All India photo competition & exhibition
FOCUS ON ACCESSIBILITY for People with DIsabilities
in
BUILT PUBLIC SPACES
Students of Architecture, Civil Engineering & Town Planning are invited to participate
Because YOU can make a difference!
All YOU have to do is take a picture of a BUILT SPACE meant for Public use which is visibly accessible or inaccessible,
and send it to us with your 300 word comment – and win a prize!
Imagine a person:
-on a wheelchair or using crutches or with visual impairments on broken footpaths.
-who can’t hear the fire alarm in an emergency.
-with dwarfism trying to bolt the washroom door.
-With hand paralysis trying to open a faucet.
Remember: Accessibility is not just about a ramp.
The idea is to bring the concept, need and impact of ACCESSIBILITY into Sharp Focus!
*Please blur faces and names so as not to offend anyone. Mention approximate location.
Please look up:
-21 Disabilities recognized by the GoI
-ADA American Accessibility Standards
-Indian Harmonized Guidelines for Accessibility
-Disability related terminology
RULES:
a. Last date for registration: Extended to August 25th 2023
How to register:
Pay your fee and email us with Name of Student & College, Course year and Proof of payment.
Upto 3 entries per student. Rs. 150 per entry. Use the QR code to pay.
**
b. SUBMISSION:
Soft copy photo submission via email with your 300 word (max) comment explaining why you took the picture and what it depicts with respect to the focus of this contest.
Last Date: September 20th 2023
ONE PICTURE PER ENTRY - NO COLLAGES
NO PLAGIARISM PLEASE.
This contest is not so much about the prize as the cause. We trust you will understand.
High resolution pictures which can be sent by gmail. No large separate picture files please.
**
c. Award Announcement and Online Exhibition of best entries - 2nd October 2023 World Architecture Day
**
EMAIL ADDRESS for registration, queries and submission: accessenabled23@gmail.com.
No phone calls please.
Prizes: To be announced on 2nd October 2023
1st place: Rs. 8,000
Special Mention 1: Rs. 5000
Special Mention 2: Rs.5000
All participants get E-certificates.
OUTREACH PARTNER: NASA: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENTS OF ARCHITECTURE
Understanding Universal Design and its Implication & Implementation is imperative for anyone who contributes to the built environment. Any oversight can lead to discomfort and danger for the end user.
Creating barriers in public spaces for any citizen - by design or omission - amounts to denial of basic human rights like education, income, recreation, familial & social interaction, travel, etc.
It is the ethical, moral and legal responsibility of Architects, Civil Engineers, Designers, Builders and Authorizing Officials to ensure access for all.
While the larger focus is on jobs for People with Disabilities, we forget that we begin interacting socially as children in parks and through play. If we don't see Children with and without Disabilities playing together in public parks, how will we see them mingling in classrooms and boardrooms later?
We must build inclusive public places so that integration/ inclusion in all walks of life becomes organic and not forced through workshops and conferences.