CBM’s Bangalore-located South Asia Regional Office (S), SARO(S), has become the first CBM Regional Office to conduct a Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop on accessibility. Designed to develop trainer of trainers (resource persons) in accessibility according to the principle of TOT training, those trained should now be able to take on the role of TOTs themselves and train their staff and others, conduct accessibility audits and make suggestions for accessibility improvements on behalf of SARO(S).

Designed to develop trainer of trainers (resource persons) in accessibility according to the principle of TOT training, the training, facilitated by Ms. Anjlee Agarwal, Executive Director of Samarthyam, a National Centre for Accessible Environment in New Delhi, took place in February 2009 at Mobility India, Bangalore, with staff from SARO(S) and CBM Regional Office SARO(N) and participants from SARO(S) projects. Mobility India was set up in Bangalore in 1994 to enable organised work in the field of mobility appliances and to bring about social change.

During the three days of intensive training, participants were educated in the technical aspects of accessibility and importance of accessibility to make the environment barrierfree and inclusive for all. Exercises helped participants experience and understand the various accessibility needs of persons with disabilities and how to conduct access audits taking into account internal and external design.

An external client was chosen as an example of an environment to audit. On the last day, the groups presented their findings from the access audit. Each individual participant has also been asked to do an access audit of a project or built area and send their findings to the TOT resource persons so that the practical findings of the exercise can be shared. The Accessibility training will be followed up by an advanced workshop where the participants will be certified to be access auditors.

Gunawathy Fernandez, Regional Director SARO-S, said of the training: “Accessibility is the key for inclusive development. We wanted people trained to create awareness and conduct audits- hence we held the TOT workshop.” One participant commented: "The workshop was an eye-opener about accessibility and its implications in our work. The need for a barrier free environment was understood by all participants. The disability simulation exercise was an unique experience which highlighted the need for a universal design for all, not just persons with disabilities.”

The staff of SARO(S) also participated in a separate“Burnout recognition and management” workshop in February, highlighting the importance of mental health in an office context, to help staff recognise and effectively manage the issue. Those trained should now be able to take on the role of TOTs themselves and train their staff and others, conduct accessibility audits and make suggestions for improvements.

Donate now!