Minimum Facility and Infrastructure Requirements for Employing Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Candidates in India.

A publicly listed company in India wants to hire Persons with Disabilities (PWD) candidates for the first time; there are specific mandatory infrastructure requirements they need to comply with based on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act, 2016) and other relevant guidelines. Here’s a breakdown of the bare minimum requirements:

1. Accessible Entry and Exit Points

• Ramps and Handrails: All entry and exit points must have ramps with a gradient not steeper than 1:12, along with handrails on both sides.

• Automatic or Easy-to-Operate Doors: Doors should be wide enough (minimum 900 mm) for wheelchair access and should either be automatic or easily operable.

  
  

2. Workplace Accessibility

• Flooring: Non-slippery, anti-skid flooring in all areas.

• Furniture: Adjustable desks and workstations that can accommodate wheelchair users.

• Corridor Width: Corridors should have a minimum width of 1500 mm to allow easy movement of wheelchairs.

  
  

3. Accessible Restrooms

• Accessible Toilets: At least one accessible toilet per floor, equipped with grab bars, non-slip flooring, and sufficient turning space for wheelchairs.

• Height Adjustments: Toilets and sinks should be at an appropriate height for wheelchair users.

  
  

4. Signage and Communication

• Braille and Tactile Signage: All important areas, including restrooms, meeting rooms, and emergency exits, must have braille and tactile signage.

• Visual and Audio Cues: Emergency alarms and communication systems should have both visual (flashing lights) and audio signals to cater to different types of disabilities.

  
  

5. Parking Facilities

• Reserved Parking: Designated parking spaces close to the entrance, wide enough to accommodate wheelchair access, with clear signage indicating that these are reserved for PWDs.

  
  

6. Elevators

• Braille and Audio Assistance: Elevators should have braille buttons and audio announcements for floor numbers.

• Space and Controls: Elevators must be spacious enough for a wheelchair and have controls at an accessible height.

7. Emergency Evacuation

• Accessible Exits: Emergency exits must be accessible to PWDs, with ramps and handrails where necessary.

• Evacuation Plans: The company should have an evacuation plan that includes provisions for assisting PWDs during emergencies.

  
  

8. Assistive Technologies

• Communication Aids: Provide assistive devices like screen readers for visually impaired employees or hearing aids for those with hearing impairments.

• Accessible IT Systems: All company software, internal portals, and communication tools should be compatible with assistive technologies like screen readers.

  
  

9. Training and Sensitization

• Employee Training: Conduct training sessions to sensitize all employees about the needs of PWDs and how to assist them.

• Regular Audits: The company should conduct regular audits of their infrastructure to ensure ongoing compliance with accessibility standards.

  
  

Legal and Compliance Framework:

• Chapter VIII, Section 40 of the RPwD Act, 2016 mandates that all public buildings must be accessible to persons with disabilities.

• Chapter VIII, Section 44 requires companies to make necessary adjustments to ensure that their infrastructure is compliant with accessibility standards.

• The Accessible India Campaign and National Building Code (NBC), 2016 also provide specific guidelines that the company must adhere to.

By complying with these minimum requirements, your client will not only meet legal obligations but also create an inclusive workplace that can effectively accommodate PWD candidates.