accessible tube-well at home. Disability Inclusive WASH benefits ALL! Flood is a common phenomenon for the people of Shr
Disability Inclusive WASH benefits ALL! Flood is a common phenomenon for the people of Shreepur union in a river-side district Gaibandha, north of Bangladesh1. The Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) with a local NGO, Gono Unnayan Kendra (GUK) and with the support of CBM implemented a pilot project Disability inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Project (DiDRR) from October 2009 to June 2011. This case story portrays the actions and changes in the project location on disability inclusive water and sanitation and how it benefits not only persons with disabilities but other people from the community. The water and sanitation infrastructure and facilities in the locale2 was largely poor and unhygienic. Many of the structure of the existing latrines were temporary, vulnerable and difficult to use. The local community used water from tube-well, ponds and river. The water from the ponds was not necessarily safe and during dry season it is difficult to collect water from the river. The tube-wells were the only source of safe drinking water. However, neither the existing latrines nor the tube-wells were constructed considering A common inaccessible unhygienic toilet in the community – a pre-project photo needs of persons with disabilities. The concept of accessibility and adaptation never crossed the mind of the builders nor the users. During flood, most of the tube-wells and latrines are submerged; making life extremely difficult for the people, especially the persons with disabilities. The nearest shelter was far away, and most persons with disabilities found it difficult to reach there, and once there they faced innumerous challenges to access water and using a latrine. Health situation always was a concern, with water contaminated and people forced to use this water which led to water borne diseases, including Diarrhea. DiDRR project was designed in consultation with the community people, persons with disabilities, their families, local government and administration. One of the needs identified was access to safe water and sanitation during and after disaster period. Persons with disabilities mentioned, ‘we feel that our dignity is stripped each day when we need to use the toilet depending on others’; ‘if only we could access and use the latrine and the water source by ourselves’. Women with disability using an accessible tube-well at home 1
Reliable statistic on disability prevalence is not available; however WHO 10% and 5.6% finding of a study conducted by Handicap International and the National Forum of Organizatons Working with the Disabled (NFOWD) is widely used. 2 The project area was 6 of 9 wards of the union of Shreepur.
The DiDRR project supported 18 persons with disabilities to reconstruct disaster risk considered accessible housing with latrine and tube-wells. The persons with disabilities and their families contributed land, soil and labour in the initiative. In total 48 tube-wells was installed considering accessibility. 483 tube-wells were installed in locations that would benefit the total community. The opinion of the community and local Union Council was considered in selecting the location. The project in partnership with the community also raised ground level of two schools as flood shelter and constructed accessible latrines [separate for men and women] and installed tube-wells considering accessibility features.
Persons with disability using an accessible tube-well at market place
The project also built a steel bodied rescue boat [60 person capacity]. Accessibility features were ensured in the toilet and a storage tank is fitted in the roof where safe drinking water is stored. Persons with disabilities can safely board the accessible boat using the ramp, maneuver independently within the boat and use the latrine and water source. Rescue boat with the provision of accessible toilet, drinking water and solar panel for electric power
To encourage positive WASH practices the project created local level awareness. In the working area Ward Disaster Management Committees (WDMC) have been formed in each ward4 where at least 10% persons with disabilities and 30% women are the members of each WDMC. In each committee there is a task force on Water and Sanitation who are trained to support persons with disabilities and the vulnerable to access water and sanitation facilities during flood. If necessary they will communicate with different government and non-government organizations to face the situation. People are also assigned for the repair and maintenance of the accessible tube-wells, which also include persons with disabilities and their families.
3 4
30 new accessible tube-wells installed and 18 existing tube-wells raised and made accessible for safe drinking water. There are 9 wards in one union.
The persons with disabilities using these facilities are happy, mentioning that they to some extent feel empowered to access the toilet and to collect safe drinking water from the tube-wells. They no longer need to wait for a family member for support. A physically impaired adolescent boy, who runs a tea-stall by an accessible tube-well in the market, mentioned more people are visiting his stall and drinking tea; they come to use and collect water, as the tube-well is installed in a public location, and is easier to access. It is estimated that 9,000 people are benefitting from the inclusive WASH facilities of the project5. The purpose of these initiatives was to make people and authorities aware and to demonstrate accessible latrines and tube-wells. It is expected that it will encourage future constructions to consider disaster risks as well as accessibility issues concerning persons with disabilities.
Tea stall run by a person with disability by accessible tube-well location in market
An accessible toilet for persons with disabilities
Nazmul Bari Broja Gopal Saha CDD, Bangladesh August 2011
5
Population at the 6 wards of the project is estimated at 24,000. All are not necessarily affected by flood.
