AWARDS

ZERO PROJECT INNOVATIVE PRACTICE AWARD 2020

Universal Design Centre (UDC) is an initiative by BNCA, Pune that trains architects to create inclusive products and environments for people with disabilities. UDC was started in 2014 by Prof. Kavita Murugkar and Principal Dr Anurag Kashyap, and has been working on various activities related to research, training, awareness building and advocacy. UDC has also involved people with disabilities as partners, mentors and user experts in all its educational activities.

In 2020, UDC won a global award for its innovative practice at the Zero Project Conference at UN Vienna. Zero Project is a platform that supports the implementation of the UN Convention for Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and recognises innovative practices for empowering people with disabilities. UDC was one of the 5 organisations from India that received this award for their work on Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities. The award was received by Prof. Kavita Murugkar and Abhijit Murugkar among 800 changemakers from around the world.

This year Zero Project, a platform that supports the UN Convention for Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), awarded 75 organisations from 106 countries for their innovative practices for empowering people with disabilities. 5 organisations from India received this award for their work on Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities, including Universal Design Centre (UDC) at BNCA, Pune. The award was received by Prof. Kavita Murugkar and Abhijit Murugkar at UN Vienna among 800 changemakers from around the world.

UDC is an initiative by Prof. Kavita Murugkar and Principal Dr Anurag Kashyap at BNCA that trains architects to create inclusive products and environments for people with disabilities. UDC was started in 2014 and has been working on various activities related to research, training, awareness building and advocacy. UDC has also involved people with disabilities as partners, mentors and user experts in all its educational activities. This award recognises UDC’s efforts for promoting Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities through Design and Architecture.

Dr Kashyap, Principal of BNCA, said on this occasion.

“I am proud of BNCA for being a global leader in the disability movement and making a difference on this ignored issue in the country. We will continue to work for the cause by enhancing our institute’s efforts. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam for us is a reality we want to create and not just a message.”

The centre’s Director Prof. Kavita Murugkar has also won the NCPEDP MPHASIS Universal Design Award 2014, and the AVISHKAR AWARD 2012 and 2019 for her academic and research work on Universal Design.

Prof. Kavita Murugkar said on this occasion  

“This award shows that Indian society is becoming more empathetic to the needs of people with disabilities and more efforts are being made to challenge disabling attitudes and environments that have been excluding them from the mainstream. However, there is still a lot to do. India must address the issues around disability which include identification, acceptance, education, employment and empowerment. We must change our attitudes, systems and environments to achieve the dream of an Inclusive India where no one is discriminated on the ground of disability.”

UD INITIATIVES AT BNCA

• A variety of initiatives and activities have been successfully organised under Universal Design Centre BNCA since its inception.
• Established a library and laboratory on Universal Design at BNCA.
• Written research papers on Universal design related studies.
• Conducted access audit and design proposal for enhancing the accessibility of World Heritage Site of Ellora, Aurangabad.
• Conducted Access audit of Chaturshringi temple in Pune, and design proposal for making the site accessible.
• Conducted Access audit of Shaniwarwada and Pataleshwar caves- national monuments in Pune, and design proposal for making the site accessible.
• Conducted Access audit of Pune Railway Station and Swargate Bus stand.
• Ongoing research on inclusion of people with disabilities, with a focus on people with visual impairment, in heritage sites.
• Every year Simulation exercises, experiments with tactile models, user needs surveys, participatory design studios based on needs of people with disabilities are conducted as part of curriculum.
• 18 weeks elective module on Universal design introduced and conducted every year in 4 th year B.Arch. Curriculum at Pune University.
• Integrated Universal Design theory and principles in all design studios at B Arch and M Arch level.
• Universal Design Workshop for students of all colleges of architecture in Pune.
• Conducted City level Seminar on UD in association with Pune Construction Engineering and Research Foundation for professionals and academicians.
• Training students through participation in Universal Design Competitions at national level.
• Sensitisation program for students across all colleges of architecture in Pune in association with Ekansh, a local NGO at pune.
• Contribution to creating awareness amongst common man through newspaper articles and papers.
• Participation in public exhibitions for spreading awareness on this subject.
• Conducting Heritage walks for groups of differently abled students and citizens.
• Organized National level round table conference on Universal Design at IUCAA, Pune with national level UD experts.
• Conducted two day intensive training for CPWD engineers in Pune on Universal Accessibility.
• Celebrating World Disability Day and White Cane Day every year in collaboration with city level NGO’s and special schools.
• Participation in city level Street Design Competition organised by PSDCL with a proposal of model street based on Universal Design.
• Publications on Universal Design.
• Documentation of Global best practises in Universal Design.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICY AT BNCA

BNCA is committed to eliminating all forms of unlawful discrimination, bullying and harassment of anyone on the grounds of any difference related to age, gender, disability, language, caste, economic status etc. It follows Government of India instructions for empowerment of persons with disabilities (PWD). It aims to provide a conducive and harmonious work environment where everyone enjoys the right to equality, education, access, dignity and respect.

BNCA strives to provide opportunities and facilities to persons with disabilities to participate, perform and excel in their work on an equal basis. It provides reservation in admissions and appointments for the posts identified for persons with disabilities. It also provides suitable flexibility and accommodation for the evaluation process. It encourages candidates with different disabilities to apply and makes decisions based on merit.

BNCA has a barrier free, user friendly environment for persons with disability. It has a ramp, a lift and disabled friendly toilets for both genders. It also provides reasonable accommodations in classrooms and teaching pedagogy as required. It keeps any information on disability/medical condition confidential.

If an employee acquires a disability during her/his employment tenure, she/he can return to work at the same rank or higher. If the employee is unable to perform the current job, the organisation will re-skill the employee for another position.

BNCA is committed to promoting awareness on equal opportunity and inclusion of people with disabilities among all students and employees by organising training and sensitisation programmes and campaigns. It has a special Universal Design Centre to promote inclusive educational and professional practises in design and architecture.

Gender Sensitization Plan

• As a women’s educational institute and a part of Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha, an organisation dedicated for women’s empowerment and gender equality, BNCA prioritises gender equality practices, policies and programs.
• At BNCA, universal human values of equality, inclusion, respect, fairness and justice for all are fostered among students, faculty and staff. Through its faculty, staff and student programs, BNCA will annually do the following:
• Promote respectful and socially responsible communication that recognises diverse and unbiased representations of women and men.
• Conduct workshops and orientation programs that promote diversity and gender-sensitive communication and behaviour for students and staff.
• Provide counselling facility where faculty and students can reach out in matters of need related to gender-related communication. Conduct regular counselling sessions for the girl students by the lady faculty members.
• Encourage leadership and participation of girl students in classes and roles that are usually taken by males.
• Maintain balanced gender quota in hiring admin staff and faculty.
• Ensure equal rights and participations in regular cultural activities, sports, NCC, debate, celebrations, and performing arts. Encourage girl students without any sign of gender discrimination.
• Give equal participations to lady faculties and staff members in different activities throughout the year. Include lady faculties and staffs in appropriate numbers in all the committees.
• Conduct awareness programme for safety and security on regular basis.
• Monitor sensitisation by the elements of education in the curriculum. Integrate different activities and topics related to gender sensitization into the curriculum.
• Conduct classes, competitions and studio assignments related to gender, women’s rights and women empowerment for students by the departmental faculty members and NSS.
• Organise training programmes on Woman Entrepreneurship Development.
• Organise awareness programme on ‘Nutrition and Food Habits’ for women staff and girl students.
• Organise inspirational lectures and talks by successful women leaders, practitioners to motivate girl students for future career and societal roles.