DRA <-> CMRL ENGAGEMENT ON ACCESSIBILITY

6Feb2012
12Feb2012
15Feb2012
2March2012
DRAMEDIARELEASE26March2012
Meetingsheldtilldate:
DocumentsSubmittedtillDate:
DigitalInclusiondocuments
Railcaraccessibilitydraftguidelines
Metrostationaccessibilitydraftguidelines
Indianlaw/codeonbarrierfreeenvironments
DelhiMetroaccessaudits2010,2011,2012
AboutDisabilityRightsAlliance(TamilNadu)
26March2012
28Mar2012
25April2012
2Jan2013
7Aug2014
9Jun2015
22Jun2015
ALSTOM
1Jun2015
11Jun2015

6Feb2012

Forwardedmessage
From:
DisabilityRightsAlliance(TamilNadu)
<xxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>
Date:6February201214:40
Subject:CMRLDigitalInclusion
To:CMRLPRO<xxx.xxxx@xx.xxx.xx>
Cc:DluSouth<xxx.xxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>,

6Feb2012

DearMr.Elanthiraiyan,

Thankyouforyouropennessandwillingnesstoincorporatefurtherinputsfrompeoplewith
disabilitiesintheMetroRailplanningprocessitself.Wearehappytohearthatallaccessibility
featuresoftheDelhiMetrowillbepresent,ifnotimprovedupon!

AsdiscussedinourmeetingthereismuchinterestintheuniversaldesignoftheChennaiMetro,
butunfortunatelyyourwebsiteiscurrentlyinaccessibledeprivingpeoplewithdisabilitiesthe
chancetotrackyourprogressandparticipateinthisprocess.

Whileinitialdocuments/stakeholderinputsforaccessiblityelementsinstationdesignand
rollingstockarebeingpreparedthisweek,we@DRAthoughtthiswouldbeagreatplaceto
start!

TheInternethasrevolutionisedthelivesofdisabledpersonsthroughouttheworld.Morethan
others,ithasenabledandliberatedtheminthemostcompletesenseofthewordsand
succeededinelevatinglevelsofindependence,competenceandconfidence.

Unfortunately,whiletheinternetcansolvemostoftheaccesstoinformationchallengesfaced
bydisabledpersons,thehurdlesintheformofnavigationorcomprehensionproblemsposeas
severebarrierstoplacingcompleterelianceonitasatoolformanagingonesworkand
academicpursuitsforvisuallyandprintdisabledpersons.Itisnotonlysadbutalso
disappointingtoseethat
inIndia
alotof
government&privatewebsitesareinaccessible
for
peoplewithvisualandreadingdisabilities,defeatingtheverypurposeofICTfordevelopment!

Indiaratifiedthe
UNConventionontheRightsofPersonswithDisabilities
inOctober2007.
AccordingtoArticle21oftheconvention"FreedomofExpressionandOpinion,andAccessto
Information"coverstheprovisionofpublicinformationtopersonswithdisabilitiesinaccessible
formatandappropriatetechnologies,encouragingprivateenterprisesprovidingservices,
includingviatheinternet,toenablesuchservicesinaccessibleandusableformats,and
likewiseformassmediaproviders.

UndertheCRPD,Indiaisrequiredtoimproveandmonitortheaccessibilityofitswebsites.
CourtsinIndiacanusebothThe
PersonswithDisabilities(EqualOpportunities,Protectionof
RightsandFullParticipation)Act,1995
aswellastheUNCRPDindiscriminationcases
involvingagenciesthatfailtodoanyreasonableeffortstomaketheirwebsiteaccessible.

Byadherenceto
webaccessibilitystandards
theseproblemscanbeavoided.

Tohelpbetterunderstandtheissue,weareenclosingafewdocumentsthatmentionsomeof
thefeatureswhichareproblematicforpersonswithdisabilities,andalsosuggestsomesimple
solutionswhichcanbeeasilyincorporatedbywebpagecreatorsrightfromtheverybeginning.
SampleaccessibilitytestsoftheCMRLwebsitearealsoattached.Doseetheresourcesatthe

endofthisletteraswell.

IfCMRListobeanexampleofequalopportunityandequalaccessthiswillbebestshownby
itseffortstomakeitswebpresenceaccessibletoeveryoneincludingpersonswithdisabilities.
Welookforwardtoyourleadingthewayforotherstoembraceadigitalinclusionpolicy.

Thankingyou.

Withregards,

TeamDisabilityRightsAllianceTamilNadu

ForManagement
VideoonhowdisabledpeopleaccesstheWeb
Before&AfterDemoon'bad'websitevs'good'website

Forwebtechpersonnelonly

ForanIntro
http://webaim.org/intro/#principles
ForStandards,tools,guidesetc

AccessibilityW3C
http://www.w3.org/standards/webdesign/accessibility.html
IntroductiontoWebAccessibility
http://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/accessibility.php

DevelopingaWebAccessibilityBusinessCaseforYourOrganization
http://www.w3.org/WAI/bcase/Overview.html
HowPeoplewithDisabilitiesUsetheWeb
http://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/peopleuseweb.html

WebContentAccessibilityGuidelines(WCAG)Overview
http://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/wcag.php

"Alonewecandosolittletogetherwecandosomuch."HelenKeller

=====================================================================

12Feb2012

Forwardedmessage
From:
DluSouth
<xxx.xxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>
Date:12February201210:02
Subject:SeekinganappointmentwithCGM,Constructions,CMRLON15thFebruary2012
Regarding
To:cgmc.cmrl@xx.xxx.xx

Mr.Somasundaram,
ChiefGeneralManager,
Constructions
ChennaiMetroRailLimited

DearSir,

GreetingsfromDisabilityRightsAlliance,TamilNadu!

DisabilityRightsAlliance,TamilNadu(DRA,TN)isanAdvocacy
ConsortiumofActivistsandOrganisationsworkingforDisabledPeople
inTamilNadu.

Wewouldliketodiscussabouttheincorporationofaccessibility
featuresforDisabledPeopleintheMetrorailnetwork.

Wewouldalsoliketomakenoteofthefactthatanaccessiblerail
transportsystem,willnotonlyfacilitatethemobilityofdisabled
people,butwillalsohelptheentiresocietyincludingtheelderly
people,pregnantwomen,children,peoplewitharthritisandother
ailmentsandpersonscarryingluggagetocommuteeasilyandsafely.

UnitedNationsConventionontherightsofPersonswithDisabilities
mandatesalltransportsystemstobeuniversallydesignedand
accessibleforDisabledPeople.Indiabeingasignatoryandhaving
ratifiedtheConvention,itistimethatallsystemsareinlineswith
theUNConvention.

Therefore,weurgeyoutomaketheChennaiMetroRailwayTransport
systemaccessibleanduniversallydesigned.


Wewouldliketodiscusswithyouthevariousaccessibilityfeatures
inthedesignofproducts,servicesandenvironmentswithrespectto
theMetroRailTransportsystem.

InthisregardwemetMr.Elanthiraiyan,PublicRelationsOfficer,
CMRLon6thFebruaryattheofficepremises.Weweredirectedtomeet
youandsubmitourrecommendationswithrespecttotheaccessibility
features(UniversalDesign)atalltheMRTSstationsthatarebeing
builtandtheoneswhichwouldbeused.

Weherebyseekanappointmentwithyouonthe15thofFebruary2012to
haveadetaileddialogueonthesame.

Inanticipationofanearlyandfavorablereply

Thankingyou

Withbestwishes

RajivRajan
VaishnaviJayakumar
Coordinator.DisabilityLegislationUnitSouth
CrossDisabilityActivist
VidyaSagar
&
&Member,DRA,TN
Member,DRA,TN

DhanasekarA
Smitha.S.S
AssociateCoordinator
Asst.Coordinator
DLUSouth,VidyaSagar
DluSouth,VidyaSagar
&
&
Member,DRA,TN
Member,DRA,TN

=====================================================================

15Feb2012

Forwardedmessage
From:VaishnaviJayakumar<xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.info>
Date:15February201213:53
Subject:GuidelinesforIndianGovernmentWebsites
To:pro.c...@xx.xxx.xx
Cc:DluSouth<xxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>,VaishnaviJayakumar<
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx@yahoo.com>

DearMr.Elanthiraiyan

PFAthesinglereferencedocumentforwebsiteaccessibility.

Thankingyou.

Regards,

*TeamDisabilityRightsAllianceTamilNadu*

Guidelines_for_Government_websites.pdf
2181KDownload

=====================================================================

2March2012
Forwardedmessage
From:
DluSouth
<xxx.xxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>
Date:14March201210:37
Subject:appointmentregarding
To:mdcmrl2010@xxxxx.xxx
Cc:psmd.cmrl@xx.xxx.xx

2ndMarch,2012

Mr.Rajaram,
ChairmanandManagingDirector
ChennaiMetroRailLimited

GreetingsfromDRA!

Sir,

Disability Right Alliances is aconsortiumofNGOs,FederationsandIndividualActivists, working

towardstherightsofdisabledpeopleinTamilNadu.

We have met with the CGM constructions and the CGM Systems regarding accessibility for
disabled peopleinChennaiMetroRailService.Infurtherance,to thiswewouldliketomeetyou
regarding the accessibility features as mentioned above. We request you to give us an
appointmentatyourearliestconvenience.

Thankingyou,

WithBestWishes,

A.DHANASEKAR
MemberDRA.

=====================================================================

DRAMEDIARELEASE26March2012
FromJanuary2012,Chennaisopen,crossdisabilitycollective,theDisabilityRightsAlliance
(TamilNadu)hasbeendialoguingwithChennaiMetroatvariouslevelstoensureaccessibility
featuresareplannedfromtheprojectdesignstageitself.

Whiletheinitialmeetingleftthegroupupbeat,itsoonbecameobviousthatdocumentswere
beingreceivedbutverylittlecommittedto.Interactionsrapidlydeterioratedfornoconceivable
reasontheDRAgroupwasaccusedofwantingtobesupermonitorswhenfurtherinformation
wassoughtsothatcustomizedspecificationscouldbeaddedbasedonarchitecturalplans.

Despiteexplainingthedesignforallapproachof

UniversalDesign
aCMRLrepresentative
categoricallystatedthatCMRLcannotcompromisetheprovisionsof99%ofthegeneral
populationfortheaccessof1%disabledpopulation.

OntheadviceofthePRO,additionalinputsonDelhiMetroshortcomingsweresubmittedtothe
MDinameetingtodaytoascertainconcretemeasurestakentowardsincorporatingaccessibility
inCMRLsrollout.

DRAsrequests(asexpressedfromthestart)were

Progressupdateonrecommendationssubmittedsofar
Transparencyinsharinginformationtoenableaccurateinputswiththegroup,orthe
appointmentofanAccessibilityConsultanttoensurethesame.
Disclosuretothepubliconwhataccessibilityfeatureswillbepresent/possible,and
workaroundsuggestionsforwhatwillbeinaccessiblesothatthecommonpassenger
knowswhattoexpect.
EnabledisabledcitizensofthisStatetobeapprisedofCMRLprogressbymakingits
websitecompliantasperGIGW/WCAG2guidelines.
Ensureasfaraspossible,thefollowingaccessibilityfeaturesasbestpractice/
compliance:asoutlinedby

ACCESSFORALLBestPractices

Tactiletilesonallcommonpassageswithtactilewarningsforabruptchangeinheightornear
hazardousareasforvisuallyimpaired

Signsprintedinbrailleintheliftstoindicatefloorsaswellasvisual/audibleannouncements

Theticketcountermaximumheightlimittoberestrictedto800mmtobeaccessibletowheelchair
users.

Ticketcheckingmachineplacementshouldallowwheelchairuserpassageorthereshouldbe
somealternativeentry&exitforwheelchairusers.

Accessibletoilet

Stepswithcontrastcolourednosing

Barriersbetweenrailcarstoalertcustomerswhoareblindorhavelowvisionofthespace
betweentherailcarssotheydonotmistakethisspaceforthedoortotheinsideoftherailcar.

Bumpytilestoalertcustomerswhoareblindorhavelowvisionthattheyarenearingtheedgeof
theplatform

Inductionloopsatticketcountersforhearingimpairedpassengers

Elevatorcontrolbuttonswithbraillepositionedatheightsthatareaccessibletowheelchairusers
Griprailson3wallsoftheelevatorcar
ataheightbetween850900mm.

Widedoorsforlifts
Theliftdoormusthaveanidealwidthofatleast900mmandanidealsurface
areaof1800mmx1200mm

Adequatelylit,nonslipflooringwithrampsattheentranceofeverystation(maximumslope1:12)
Adequatelandingspaceatthestartandendofeveryramp
Simple,uniformterminaldesignavoidingglossysurfaces/glass,andstandardisedpictobraille
signageforpeoplewithcognitivedifficulty
Handrailsmustbeplacedatheightbetween850900mmonbothsidesofstaircase&ramp.
Theheightofthedrinkingwatertapshouldbeataheightlessthan900mm.
Gapbetweenplatformandrailcarshouldenableawheelchairuserorapersonwithamobility
devicetoenterandexitthetrainsafelyandindependentlyasfaraspossible.

Outofserviceelevatoralertsystem

Todaysmeetingwasincomparisonmorepleasantthantheearlierencounter.Mr.Rajaraman
advisedDRArepresentativestocomebackafteramonthforabriefingonwhataccess
featureshavealreadybeenincorporatedbyCMRLarchitects.Mr.Rajaramancommittedonthe

following:websiteaccessibilityandapressstatementonaccessibilityfeaturesofCMRLina
monthstime.

IntheabsenceoffeaturesspecifictorailwayterminalvisitabilityinIndiasNational
BuildingCodeandgiventhatIndiahasratifiedtheUNConventiononRightsofPeople
WithDisabilities,itisDRAsgoaltoenablemulticroreprojectslikethis(withgeneral
consultantsfromacrosstheglobeandworldclassequipmentsuppliers)conformto
globalbestpractices.

Thiscallsforamoreholisticinterpretationofwhatwemeanbyenvironmentafterall
whatisenvironmentwithouttheprinciplesofinclusionandsustainability?

IndiasInvisibleMinority
Morethan70millionpeoplewithdisabilitiesinIndiaarehomeboundand
not
bychoicethey
simplycannotstepoutbecauseofaninaccessiblephysicalinfrastructureandtransportsystem.
Asaresultdisabledpeopleareforcedtobecompletelydependentontheirfamiliesandare
perceivedtobeaburdenonsociety.

Accessibleinfrastructurewillempowerdisabledpeoplebyhelpingtobringthemeducation,
employment,anddignity.Tobeactive,adisabledpersonshouldbeabletocommutebetween
home,workandotherdestinations.Providingabarrierfreeenvironmentfortheindependence,
convenienceandsafetyofallpeoplewithdisabilitiesiscriticaltointegratethemtotakean
activepartinsocietyandleadanormallife..

AccessibilityfortheDisabledDesignforaBarrierFreeEnvironment(AUNPUBLICATION)

We are all physically disabled

(1

)
at some time in our lives. A child, a person with a broken leg, a parent
with a pram, an elderly person, etc. are all disabled in one way or another. Those who remain healthy
and able-bodied all their lives are few. As far as the built-up environment is concerned, it is important
that it should be barrier-free and adapted to fulfill the needs of all people equally. As a matter of fact,
the needs of the disabled coincide with the needs of the majority, and all people are at ease with
them. As such, planning for the majority implies planning for people with varying abilities and
disabilities.
1)Itshouldbenotedthatahandicapisnotasynonymfordisability.Adisabilityreferstoaphysical,sensoryor
mentallimitationthatinterfereswithaperson'sabilitytomove,see,hearorlearn;ahandicapreferstoacondition
orbarrierimposedbytheenvironment,societyoroneself.Assuch,physicalobstructionsofthebuiltup
environmentconstituteahandicaptoadisabledperson.Forexample,astairwayisahandicaptoawheelchair
user.Ontheotherhand,feelingdifferentandinferiortootherpeopleconstitutesahandicapimposedbyoneself.

Meetingsheldtilldate:
1Feb2012InitialmeetingwithMr.Elanthiraiyan,PublicRelationsOfficer,subsequently
guidelinesforwebsiteaccessibilitysubmitted.


14Feb2012MeetingwithMr.Carmelus,CGM(Systems)andsubmissionofdocumenton
rollingstockaccessibilityguidelines

15Feb2012MeetingwithMr.Somasundaram,CGM(Construction)andsubmissionof
documentonrailterminalaccessibilityfeatures.

26Mar2012MeetingwithMr.Rajaraman,MDonoverallaccessibilityassuranceand
submissionofcompletedocketofearlierdocuments/referencematerialaswellaspersonal
accountsofgapsinDelhiMetroaccessibilityinthelast3years.

DocumentsSubmittedtillDate:
DigitalInclusiondocuments
Railcaraccessibilitydraftguidelines
Metrostationaccessibilitydraftguidelines
Indianlaw/codeonbarrierfreeenvironments
DelhiMetroaccessaudits

2010
,

2011
,

2012

AboutDisabilityRightsAlliance(TamilNadu)
DisabilityRightsAllianceisanopencollectiveofindependent,communitybasedorganisations,
individualsandpeergroupsthatadvocatewithandforpeoplewithanydisability.

TheDisabilityRightsAlliancecoalitionpromotesanddefendsthehumanrightsandvalued
statusofpeoplewithdisabilitiesbysupportingandpromotingadvocacygroups,actionsand
initiatives.

PreviousinitiativesofDRAincludethecampaignforaccessibleelections,aconferencefor
railwayaccessibility,awarenessonthecensusquestionondisabilityetc
======================================================================

26March2012

Forwardedmessage

From:DisabilityRightsAlliance(TamilNadu)<xxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>
Date:26March201213:38
Subject:AccessibilityofChennaiMetroDisabilityRightsAlliance(TamilNadu)
To:md.cmrl@xx.xxx.xx
chennaimetrorail@xxxxx.xxx
,
chairman.cmrl@xx.xxx.xx
,
cgmc.cmrl@xx.xxx.xx
,
cgms.cmrl@xx.xxx.xx
,
cgmpr.cmrl@xx.xxx.xx
,
cgmo.cmrl@xx.xxx.xx
,CMRLPRO<xxx.xxxx@xx.xxx.xx>

Documentssubmittedin3meetingssofar(foryourreference)

1_CorrCMRL20120206_DigitalInclusion.pdf(application/pdf)262K
2_81664585AccessibilityInputsForChennaiMetroRail.pdf(application/pdf)587K
3_81664715RailCarAccessibilityIndia.pdf(application/pdf)339K
4_2011Shivani_Delhi_Metro__AccessAbility.pdf(application/pdf)34K
5_DelhiMetroAccessPress20101113.pdf(application/pdf)1183K
6_2012DelhiMetroAudit.pdf(application/pdf)2452K
7_WorldBankAccessForPwDIndia.pdf(application/pdf)70K
UrbanDevelopmentGuidelinesForBarrierFreeAccess.pdf(application/pdf)1357K
=====================================================================

28Mar2012
Forwardedmessage
From:DisabilityRightsAlliance(TamilNadu)<dra.tamiln...@xxxxx.xxx>
Date:28March201220:08
Subject:GIGW/WCAGcompliantwebsitesasrequested
To:pro.c...@xx.xxx.xx

Cc:accessiblechennaimetro<AccessibleChennaiMetro@xxxxxxxx.com>,
tn_disabilityright_fo...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.co.in

DearMr.Elanthiraiyan,

PleasefindbelowsampleaccessiblewebsitesasrequestedtodaybyCMRL.

*GOVERNMENTRELATEDWEBSITES*

1.GIGW+WCAG2.0AAcertified
websites<http://web.guidelines.gov.in/compliantwebsites.php>

2.http://ayjnihh.nic.in/index.asp
3.http://ujs.uk.gov.in/pages/display/31accessibilitystatement


*COMMERCIALWEBSITES*

1.ANDHRABANK<http://www.andhrabank.in/wcag/retailwcag.aspx>
2.SIDBI<http://www.sidbi.in/>
3.NASSCOM
FOUNDATION<http://www.nasscomfoundation.org/web_accessibility/index.html>

Thankingyou.

Regards,

*TeamDisabilityRightsAllianceTamilNadu*
=====================================================================

25April2012
Forwardedmessage
From:
DluSouth
<xxx.xxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>
Date:25April201212:07
Subject:SEEKINGAPPOINTMENT
To:mdcmrl2010@xxxxx.xxx
Cc:psmd.cmrl@xx.xxx.xx

25thApril2012

Mr.Rajaram,
Chairman
a
ndManagingDirector

ChennaiMetroRailLimited

Sir,

GreetingsfromDRA,TN!

Asafollowupofourmeetingwithyouregardingaccessibilityfeatures/universaldesign
oftheChennaiMetroRailwearekeentomeetyouanytimeonorbeforeMondaythis
month.

Wehadmetyouonthe26thofMarch2012regardingthesameandyouhadassured
usthatyouwouldmeetupwiththeteamofarchitectsandothersconcernedandgiveus

amuchclearerpictureonthestandardsfollowedintheconstructionofCMRL.Right
fromthefacilities,information,services,emergencyexits,accessatstationsandthe
coaches.

Weseekanappointmentwithyouonorbefore30thofthismonthorattheearliest.

Lookingforwardtoaquickreply

Regards

A.DhanaSekar
Member
DisabilityRightsAlliance,TamilNadu

=====================================================================

2Jan2013
OriginalMessage
Subject:ATTN:Mr.Rajaraman,MDCMRL
From:
sunder@xxxxxxxxxx
Date:Wed,January2,20136:01pm
To:
chennaimetrorail@xxxxx.xxx

secyexpr@xx.xxx.xx

DearMr.Rajaraman,

IbelieveMr.Krishnanhasspokentoyouaboutmywantingtogetintouch
withyouregardingtheconcernsthatmanyofushaveregardingthestate
ofaccessibilityoftheslevatedstationsofCMRLvisavispeoplewith
disabilities.

Aspreliminaryspadework,afriendandIandIwentto
tryandseethestationatCMBT.Itappearsthatthestationislikelyto
becomeoperationalonlyaroundSeptember.Weaskedthepeopleatthesite
ifwe
couldlookatthedrawingsandcheckoutsuchdetailsasdimensionsof
elevators,toiletsforthedisabled,gradientsoframps,etc.

Unfortunately,thedrawingswecouldseedidnothavemanyofthese
details.Iwonderifitwillbepossibleforyoutosendusanecopyof

thelatestdrawings,completewithalldetails.Infact,somedetailssuchas
dimensionsandspecificationsrightdowntoflooringslipresistance,
lightinglumensetc,wouldbeappreciated.

I,formypart,wouldliketomaketwospecificrequests/recommendations:

(i)Can'tyoupleaseappointanAccessibilityconsultant(suchasShivani
Gupta
ofAccessAbulity,whoisherselfwheelchairbound,inwhosecompetence/
sensitivityalmosteverydisabledpersonwouldhavetotalconfidence)to
ensure
thatourvariousconcernswillbesafeguarded?

(ii)orif(i)isnotfeasibleforsomereason,canyoupleaseprovideus
withanitemisedlistofhowthevariousissuesdiscussedintheattachment
AccessibilityInputsForChennaiMetroRail.pdfhavebeenaddressedbyCMRL?

Lookingforwardtoyoursympatheticandearlyresponse,
Withregards,
Sunder
============================================================
V.S.SunderTheInstituteofMathematicalSciences
email:
sunder@xxxx.xxx.xx
============================================================

7Aug2014

Forwardedmessage
From:
DisabilityRightsAlliance(DRA)
<xxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>
Date:7August201421:40
Subject:Followupon4thJulymeetingonChennaiMetroaccessibility
To:
drse.cmrl@xx.xxx.xx

DearMr.NarasimPrasad,

Apologiesforthedelayingettingthistoyousomeresearchtookalotoftime.

Withoutmuchado,hereistheminutesandfollowupdocumentwiththeinformationyouhadrequired.
ThefollowingarerepresentativeonlyThetrainingmanualisawaitingpermissionforadaptationfrom
NationalTrust,andtheDisabledPassengerGuideawaitsthepresentationmadebyCMRLatthemeeting.
Bothwillbesubmittedassoonaswereceivethesame.

Thestandardsandpurchasespecsmatrixisattheendofthedocument.Pleasedonothesitatetoaskfor
moreinformationifneeded.

Thevisualreferenceguidehasmadethedocumenttoolargetoemail,hencethisversionisalowresone.
Thehighresoriginalcanbeviewed(andzoomed)onlineat
http://goo.gl/uBvStc

Welookforwardtohearingfromyou,

Sincerely.

TeamDRA

9Jun2015

Forwardedmessage
From:
VaishnaviJayakumar(InclusiveIndia)
<xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx>
Date:Tue,Jun9,2015at1:07PM
Subject:Fwd:[DRA]RegardingAppointmentforaMeetingConcerningAccessibilityprogress
To:"L.NarasimPrasad"CMRLDRSE<xxxx.xxxx@xx.xxx.xx>,dra<xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc:"pro.cmrl"<CMRLPRO<xxx.xxxx@xx.xxx.xx>>,DisabilityRightsAlliance
<xxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>,DisabilityRightsAllianceIndia<xxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>

DearMr.NarasimPrasad,

SomemembersofDRAhaddroppedinrecentlyafterameetingatAlstomtofollowuponour
meetingof
July2014onCMRLaccessibility
.Youwereawayatafuneral(weweresadtonote
thatanimportantmemberofthatverysamemeetinghadpassedaway).

Pleaseletusknowwhenwecouldmeetattheearliesttoaddresssomeurgentconcerns,
assessprogressandfixdatesfortrials,auditsand(whatseemsalmostcertain,unfortunately)
workarounds.Ourlast2emailsonthisandalliedmattershavegoneunanswered.

Sincerely,

VaishnaviJayakumar

VAISHNAVIJAYAKUMAR
http://about.me/vjayakumar

Forwardedmessage
From:
DisabilityRightsAlliance(DRA)INDIA
<xxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>
Date:Wed,Jun3,2015at12:37PM
Subject:[DRA]RegardingAppointmentforaMeetingConcerningAccessibleSignagein
RailwayCoaches
To:
gmo.cmrl@xx.xxx.xx
Cc:dra<xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>

To
TheGM(Operations)
CMRL

DearSir
Sub:RegardingAppointmentforaMeetingConcerningAccessibleSignageinRailwayCoaches

GreetingsfromDRAI!
DisabilityRightsAllianceIndia(DRAI)isacollectiveofcrossdisabilityactiviststhatworktowardsan
inclusivesocietyandensuringtherightsofallpersonswithdisabilities.

Withreferencetothesubjectabove,werequestthefixingofanappointmentwithyouforameeting.This
meetingregardsaccessiblesignagesinrailwaycoaches.Thesignagesinallrailwaycoachesneedtobe
accessibletoallpersonswithdisabilitiesso.Itisforthisreasonthatwewouldliketomeetwithyouand
discusshowwecantakethisforward.
Werequestyoutoletusknowofyourconvenientdateandtimeattheearliest.

ForthispurposeyoucancontactmembersofDRAI
AmbaSalelkar+91XXXXXX
RajivRajan+91xxxxxxxxx

Thankingyou,inanticipationofyourcooperation,

Sincerely
DRATeam

22Jun2015
Forwardedmessage
From:
DisabilityRightsAlliance(DRA)INDIA
<xxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>

Date:22June2015at10:52
Subject:UpdatessoughtandagendaforCMRLAccessibilitymeet24thJune2015Fwd:Followupon4th
JulymeetingonChennaiMetroaccessibility
To:narasimprasad
Cc:mdcmrl

DearMr.NarasimPrasad,

Welookforwardtomeetingyouwithteamtodiscusstheprogressmadefromourlastmeetingon
7July2014onaccessibilityprovisionsofChennaiMetro.

Theattacheddocument(OnourwayAccessibilitychecklist)iffilledinadvancewillhelpuskeepthe
meetingtimelyandontrack.

Theagendawillbeasfollows

1)Fixingofdatefor360degreeaccessauditandmapping(stationwise,trainwise,communication
etc)
2)AudiovisualpresentationofchecklistelementsbyCMRL
3)Accessibilitychecklistwalkthrough
CommunicationElements 3.1

3.1.1FacetoFace

3.1.2ElectronicCommunication
3.1.3Telecommunications

3.1.4PrintMaterial

3.1.5SignageandWayfinding
Facilities 3.2

3.2.1DoorsandDoorways

3.2.2Washrooms

3.2.3ExteriorPaths

3.2.4InteriorPaths

3.2.5RampsandStairs
3.2.6Elevators
3.2.7Escalators
3.2.8RestAreas

PaymentSystems 3.3

3.3.1FareSystem

AutomobileConnections 3.4

3.4.1Parking
3.4.2PassengerPickUp/DropOff

TransitStopDesign
3.5

3.5.1TransitStopPole
3.5.2PassengerArea
3.5.3TransitShelter

Fleet
3.6

3.6.1InTransitInformation

3.6.2GeneralVehicleFeatures
3.6.3Seating

3.6.4StopRequestsandEmergencyControls

SafetyandSecurity
3.7

3.7.1GeneralFeatures
3.7.2InclementWeatherandServiceDisruptions

4)Planningtrialrunwithdisabledpassengersandshootingof'HowtouseChennaiMetroservices'
Accessiblevideoguide.
5)Anyothermatters/concerns
6)Partywiseactionabledeadlines

ThefollowingdocumentssubmittedearlierbyDRAcouldbereferenced

ChennaiMetroRailAccessibility2014MeetingPOAvisualguide
:(Especiallypages15,2730)
InfrastructureInputsAccessibleChennaiMetroFeb2012
RailcaraccessibilityChennaiMetroFeb2012

CMRLAccessiblefacilities&featurescommitmentmade2012April

Welookforwardtoaproductivemeeting.

Thankingyou,

VAISHNAVIJAYAKUMAR
OnbehalfofTEAMDRA

ALSTOM
1Jun2015

Forwardedmessage
From:
VaishnaviJayakumar(InclusiveIndia)
<xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx>
Date:Mon,Jun1,2015at2:14PM
Subject:CMRLsignagecolourcontrastFAIL?
To:dra<xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>,accessiblechennaimetro
<AccessibleChennaiMetro@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.com>

Folks,

WhenresearchingtheAskforAssistancebuttonsymbol,IstumbleduponthisCMRL
signage
guidancedocument
preparedbyTataElxsiandamuncertainthatthecolourcontrastelements
forsignagewillbeclearforpeoplewithnormalvision,leavealonelowvision.

ConvertedPantone/RAL
coloursreferencedonpage11ofdocumentintoHEXformatand
checkeditontheWebaim
colourcontrastcheckertool
andquiteafewoftherecommended
palettesfailevenforlargetext.

WebAimadmittedlyusesWCAGguidelineswhichmaynotbetotallyappropriateforreallife

signage,butevenacursorylookleavesonefeelingthatthecontrastcouldhavebeen
enhanced.

Iamsomewhatmiffedthattheseconsultantswhoarebeingpaidpresumablyarenotlooking
intoaccessibilityissuesaswell.Ifanyoneshouldberesearchingallthisitshouldbethemwith
DRAobligingwithcounterchecking/testing.

WhatdowedonowIthinkit'stimeforanofficialmeetingwiththeCMRLteam.

VAISHNAVIJAYAKUMAR
http://about.me/vjayakumar

OnFri,May29,2015at3:58PM,EqualsCPSJ<
equalscpsj@xxxxx.xxx
>wrote:
DearVaishnavi,

Ithinkthethereshouldbesomepictorialrepresentationfor"Askforassistance/help"(AAC)

Vaish,intherealtimeexampleyouhavegivenapicturethatsays"askforhelp".Inthegiven
case,thebuttonisprovidedtoseektheattentionofthedriver.Sothebuttonshouldalsohavea
messageastowhatsortofsupport.Thishasalsotobeannouncedalongwithother
announcementsinsidethetrainsothatpeoplewithVisualImpairmentwillunderstandthe
existingsupport.(Thishastobeworkedoutwithagenciesthatwillbeworkingonsettingup
audioinfoinsidethetrain).

Thanks

Meenakshi
for
Equals,CentreforPromotionofSocialJustice
Chennai,TamilNadu.
Contact+91xxxxxxxxxxx
www.equalscpsj.org

On29May2015at12:27,VaishnaviJayakumar(InclusiveIndia)
<xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx>wrote:
ThanksforinputsAnjlee,ShankarandDhana.

Interimsuggestion:Symbolwisethispersonofindeterminategenderpressingintercom
buttonwithmouthopenedwouldseemmostuniversal.ForclaritysakeIwouldaddthesound
wavearcstodenotecommunicationexceptthatitwouldexcludedeaf.Thistobetransparent
againstsafetycolourbeingutilisedthroughoutwithenoughrelief.Wouldalsosuggesta
photoluminousoutlineofsameinreliefgoingbyShankar'ssuggestion.

Buttontoberecessedsonoaccidentalpressing,pictogramtobesupplantedwithtext.
TactileaudiblevisualfeedbackonactionwouldbeusefullikeDhanahassaid.

Anjlee,thebluegreeninfire/smokescenariomakesperfectsensecouldyoupointmeto
anystandardthatwecouldquote?
Havealwayswonderedadditionallywhatapersonwithredgreenblindnesswoulddo.

OtherwiseIwouldbetemptedtoretainthecolournorm

red

forstop,prohibited,danger,alert,
emergency,
green
forGoahead/safe

Amunabletoresearchthevariousstandards,thoughIstronglyrecommendweuseISO/DOT
/AIGAoptionswhereveravailableforthesakeofuniversaldesign.

Ambatheywouldneedtogetdrawoutavectorversionofthisafresh.Can'tfindoneonline.
Haveattachedthetransparentversion.

Belowaresomerealworldexamples.

Toreiterate:unlesswehaveanideaofthetypeofequipmentandthepurposeofthis
featureitwouldbeimpossibletoadvisefurther.

VAISHNAVIJAYAKUMAR
http://about.me/vjayakumar

OnThu,May28,2015at9:47PM,DhanaSekar<
pardevdhapon@xxxxx.xxx
>wrote:
Addingtothatachangeofcolourtoo.
Dhana
On28May201521:07,"ShankarSubbiahS"<
shankar@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xx
>wrote:
Vaishnavi,doesthesecondonewithFirenotgiveawrongguidancethatonlyonfiredothat.
ProbablythefirstonewithbackgroundcolourredandlettersinWhiteorFlourescentyellow.

OftheBraillesignandbuttonnotabove1.2mfromcoachstandingbaselevel.And,asound
onclickingtounderstandthatithasbeenrightlyclicked.

Withbestregards,

Shankar

OnThu,May28,2015at2:40PM,VaishnaviJayakumar(InclusiveIndia)
<xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx>wrote:

Shivani/Anjlee
whatsign/symboldoesDelhiMetrouseforthiscommunicatewithdriver
button?

Amba,
havealready
giventhem
ISOreferencedcodesforsymbols.Letmedigoutthis
specificone.

Wouldfirstneedtoknowwhetherbuttonisforordinaryassistanceorforemergency
becauseitwouldbecolouredaccordingly.Alsowhichofthefollowingthebuttonwouldbe
linkedto:

1. audio1way,
2. audio2way,
3. audiovisual1way
4. audiovisual2way

WhatlanguagearetheyusingforBraillebtw?
Braillesignageagainhastocomeatastandardisedlocationandheightsoblindpeople
donthavetofeelallovertheplace.

Thisiswhatwe'dsentfordisabilityassistancebuttons:

Sowouldtheybelookingatanadditionalwarningonnottalkingtodriverexceptwhen
emergency
http://villagehiker.com/travel/traveljapan/media/trainetiquette/pleasedonotspeaktojapan
esetrainsdrivers.jpg

VAISHNAVIJAYAKUMAR
http://about.me/vjayakumar

OnThu,May28,2015at11:50AM,AmbaSalelkar<
amba.salelkar@xxxxx.xxx
>wrote:
Hi,

JustgotacallfromsomeonefromChennaiMetroRaillookingforasymboltouseonthe
buttonwhichwillbeavailabletotalktothedriverofthetrainineachcompartment.Itwillbe
a"pushtotalk"kindofsymbol.

AnyonecreativeenoughtocomeupwithasymbolIcanforwardtohim?Therewillbea
braillesurfaceofcoursebutsomeideasintermsofwhatsymbol(easytounderstand,
visibletothosewithlowvision)arewelcome.

Amba.

11Jun2015

Forwardedmessage
From:
VaishnaviJayakumar(InclusiveIndia)
<xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx>
Date:Thu,Jun11,2015at8:31PM
Subject:Re:[DRA]Fwd:PEIandLongstoprequest
To:harigopal.mv@xxxxxxxxx.alstom.xxx,pirabhu.rajangam@xxxxxxxxx.alstom.xxx
Cc:dra<xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>,DisabilityRightsAlliance<xxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>,
DisabilityRightsAllianceIndia<xxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx>

DearfriendsinAlstom,

WhereveravailableISO/DOTstandardsforiconshavebeenused.IfnotavailableunderISO/DOT,then
familiar,opensourcegraphicshavebeenpreferred.

E004

E008

0100

ColourcodingsimilarlyisbasedonISO7010guidelinesasfaraspossible.Whereverothercoloursare
used,theyarerestrictedtosafetycolours(ANSIsafetycolours
NOT
websafecolours)likesafetyorange,
safetyyellowetc.

Thecontrast/colourblindtestshavenotbeenappliedastherearetoomanyvariablesthatweareunaware
of,sothatwouldneedtobetestedprofessionally
accordingtothelinkedcolourandluminouscontrast
guidelines
.

Therearebyandlargetoomanyquestionsunanswered(seebelow).sothiswillhavetodofornow:

Hi,thisisVaishnaviagainfromDRA.2morequeries:a)Willconversationwithtraindriverbealso
availableatCMRLcontrolroom?Willitberecorded?b)Willemergencybuttonhavebrailleortactile
surface?Ifnotalreadythere,canitbeputnow?
Alsowhichpartofstickerwillphotoluminescentyellowbe
usedvsRALyellow?Plsemailmeat
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxi@xxxxx.xxx
Jun0811:54am

ThePEIisespeciallyconfusing(amanualwouldhavehelpedastherearetoomanyoptionswhich
cannotbechangedatthisdate.Thefirealarmparthasthereforebeenvisuallydistinguishedfromthecalling
part.Whetherthatwillhelpinpreventingconfusedcallers,isquestionable.

Additionallyaspointedoutbelowtheabsenceofaudiofeedbackandiconembossingforvisuallyimpaired,
(aswellastactilefeedbackandvideofordeafblind)posesaninsurmountablechallengeatthisstageof
production.AsdoestheabsenceofTTYandAFILfeaturesforhearingimpaired.Wewillhavetoprovidean
accessibleHowToguideonlinewithvideo,picturesandlocationcoordinatesandhopeforthebest.You
wouldnoticethatasfaraspossibleinstructionshavebeensimplifiedandmadeabilityneutralto
compensatefortheinherentinaccessibility.

From:
kraguram
<
raghxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx
>
Date:Mon,Jun8,2015at12:08PM
Subject:[DRA]Thoughtsregardingbuttonsinmetrorail

theButtonshouldbeaudioenabled

tomyknowledgethetelecombuttontospeakwiththedriverisnotVIaccessible

TheinstructionsshouldbebothinaudioandBraille.

Especially,theprocessofthebuttonsshouldbeaudioenabled

Allthebuttonsshouldbereachabletonormalheightanditshouldbeinstandardise
locationinallthecompartments

ifthe2buttonsindifferentshapessuchasonesquareandtheotherrectangle,itwould
beeasytounderstandaswetouch
regards
raghu

Regards,

VaishnaviJayakumar

Forwardedmessage
From:
MVHarigopal
<>
Date:Wed,Jun3,2015at1:07PM
Subject:PEIandLongstoprequest
To:"
amba.salelkar@xxxxx.xxx
"<
amba.salelkar@xxxxx.xxx
>
Cc:RAJANGAMPirabhu<>

VAISHNAVIJAYAKUMAR
http://about.me/vjayakumar

OnWed,Jun3,2015at1:11PM,AmbaSalelkar<
amba.salelkar@xxxxx.xxx
>wrote:
ThisistherequirementfromtheMetrocontractorsatAlstom.

Forwardedmessage
From:
MVHarigopal
<
harigopal.mv@xxxxxxxxx.alstom.xxx
>
Date:Wed,Jun3,2015at1:07PM
Subject:PEIandLongstoprequest
To:"
amba.salelkar@xxxxx.xxx
"<
amba.salelkar@xxxxx.xxx
>
Cc:RAJANGAMPirabhu<
pirabhu.rajangam@xxxxxxxxx.alstom.xxx
>

DearMam:

Asdiscussedwithyourteamtodaypleasefindtheattachedtwodrawings.

PleaseprovideuswiththedetailsofPushtotalksymbolforimplementationinthetrain.

InthenewdrawingaboveweneedPushtotalksymbolforimplementingintrains.

Thanksforyoursupport

Thanks&Regards,.

M.V.HARIGOPAL
ProjectCoordinator
AlstomTransportRollingStock
Mob:+91xxxxxxxxxxxx