Assorted News from the Web

[Siv]

Special darshan is arranged for the physically disabled and the aged (above 65years), through a separate gate in front of the Maha Dwaram-the main temple entrance. The pilgrims falling under this category will be allowed in two different slots at 10am and 3pm every day on showing the age proof id-cards/ relevant medical certificates.

http://www.tirumala.org/SpecialDarsh...edAndAged.aspx

A wheel chair facility is not available and not allowed in tirupati main temple. But handicapped devotee can come by car at close point of Mahadwaram. After reach close point, park your car at rambagicha guest house entrance point and from there handicapped devotee can come for special darshan entry by battery car which is available free of cost by TTD.

More details: http://gotirupati.com/physically-challenged-darshan-in-tirumala/

[CLLL]

Published by ST Forum, 20 May 2016
http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/le...-devices-grows
Assistive mobility devices (AMDs) facilitate personal mobility and aid users in independent living and social interaction ("Mobility scooters 'designed to be safe and stable'"; Wednesday).

Users must be careful to choose models that are suitable for their weight and build, to ensure stability of their vehicles during operation.

Overloading an AMD with passengers or cargo may destabilise the vehicle and render it difficult to control. Maintenance is also important for AMDs.

Users require proper training to steer and control AMDs correctly, including on uneven surfaces. Some users reverse unsafely.

In other countries, AMD users have crashed into pedestrians, including young children. Serious accidents included one frail senior who died after a collision with a powered wheelchair travelling at 6.4kmh, and an able-bodied pedestrian who became confined to a wheelchair after being knocked down by a mobility scooter.

Top speeds for AMDs may go up to 12kmh or higher. While many AMD users move at walking pace currently, the Government's decision to allow AMDs to travel at 15kmh on pedestrian paths may lead users, including less competent ones, to increase their speed, and create a demand for models with higher top speeds.

Several countries have guidelines for mobility scooters to give way to pedestrians on pedestrian facilities.

It would be nice if AMD users could yield to pedestrians who appear more frail than them.

In some countries, AMDs accessing public transit systems must meet specific requirements (height, length, width, weight, turning radius, type of wheels, dry cell/battery use, and so on).

AMDs must remain stable and must be able to secure their users well on moving vehicles during the course of normal travel and under emergency braking conditions.

MRT operators need to improve their on-train dedicated facilities for AMD users. AMD users who move into a cabin usually prefer to be near the doors and unintentionally hamper the movement of other commuters.

I have seen an incident where, to facilitate his exit later, an AMD user turned his vehicle suddenly without alerting commuters standing nearby and nearly hit one commuter in the process.

At bus stops, two or more AMD users usually wait at different spots for their buses. Bus-stop shelters could be resized to dedicate a space for AMD users to board and alight, so that bus drivers can pick up and drop off all commuters smoothly.

Enclosed facilities, especially foodcourts and supermarkets, need to widen the aisles to accommodate people with reduced mobility and AMD users moving together safely.

Tan Lay Hoon (Ms)

[CLLL]

Published by ST, 03 Jun 2016
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...ort-app-tie-up
Commuters will be able to plan their journeys using transport apps that have multi-modal options such as public transport, cycling, walking, and the use of personal mobility devices. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced yesterday it will partner four technology companies - Citymapper, Google, Hugo and Quantum Inventions - with the apps to be available from the end of the year. LTA will share transport data, such as the location of cycling paths and sheltered walkways, along with real-time information like train service disruptions, with the companies.