How accessible is your apartment community? That’s the central idea of this short film Block A For Accessibility, released with a private screening at PVR Satyam Cinemas on September 25. The 20-minute CBFC-certified film by YWTC (Yes, We Too Can!!!) Charitable Trust, in collaboration with Fiserv and United Way Mumbai as the CSR partner, is a story of care, community, and design.
The film revolves around Natarajan, an ageing father, who after starting to use a wheelchair keeps himself isolated from the vibrant life of his apartment complex because he does not want to trouble his son.
A sudden accident at the building’s stairs becomes a turning point for the entire community.
The film follows the internal realisation of the association secretary and the decisive action of the builder.
Natarajan’s character is played by a deaf person, Ravi Kumar. Voice was given by Umapathy, a wheelchair user. Most of the cast and crew are persons with disabilities, including the director. The film has sign language interpretations along with subtitles.
The film addresses a universal civic necessity: accessible housing that accommodates an ageing population and ensures people of all abilities live with independence and dignity.
For a screening of “Block A For Accessibility” at your apartment complex/workplace, write to [email protected]
Handrails: a silver jubilee gift
One of the entry/exit points at Raheja Regency in MRC Nagar that got handrails.
Not many residents at Raheja Regency, a 25-year-old apartment community in MRC Nagar, likely know the two people who were instrumental in getting handrails installed at strategic points in the society recently. Nonagenarian Arjun Krishna and Vasantha Arjun were too modest to talk about this accessibility feature and agreed to give their names after much prodding by this journalist.
One of the earliest residents of this gated community, when the couple were part of the resident association, they got handrails fixed at most of the blocks some 20 years ago. These have been patronised by all, especially the senior citizens. But the community could do with some more, and the couple themselves have experienced the practical difficulty in not having them.
“One of the ladies has even fallen not having a railing to hold on to it,” says Vasantha. The couple sponsored the entire cost of installing the handrailings at some new locations as a gift to the community that has been their home for the last 25 years (the couple marked 25 years of staying in the community this June).
Pool lift: for easy swimming
Madhavi Latha Prathigudupu’s day is not complete without accessing the swimming pool at her gated community in Arumbakkam. Since 2022, what makes this common amenity accessible for this para-athlete is the pool lift that was incorporated.
Madhavi Latha is a national Paralympic swimming champion and president of YWTC Charitable Trust.
The swimming champion cannot do without being in the pool and her late father had to help her get into the waters. She convinced Triumph Apartments, a community with 108 flats where she owns one, to make the pool accessible. “Before installing the pool lift, we had a demonstration done by the manufacturer with the committee members to get their approval,” says Madhavi, president of YWTC Charitable Trust.
Today, she goes independently into the pool (she controls the lift pool through a remote) and most importantly has raised the importance of having inclusive amenities at gated communities not just for those with disabilities but even for use by the elderly. There was no ramp when she moved in to the community; the association did not just construct one for access to her block but made the improvisation at other towers as well.
Accessibility standards of the National Building Code insist on a barrier-free built environment and all common facilities accessible to all people. “It’s your right, so ask the builder for such accessible features before investing in a flat,” she adds.
Sensory park: designed by special parents
CLAPS is a 8.5 acre residential campus, designed in keeping with the needs of those with special needs.
In August, the Community Living Association for Parents of Special Citizens (CLAPS) celebrated four years of moving into an inclusively designed campus at Tiruvallur, near Poondi reservoir.
A group of 50 parents of young adults with special needs got together to conceptualise such a model in a 8.5 acre residential campus that comes with a host of universally designed and accessible amenities.
Latha Krishnan and Vaijayanthi Srinivasan, both special parents, say the activity centre, swimming pool, and sensory park are the most popular among the young adults aged 20 and above.
Unlike the apartment communities where they faced many challenges, here everything is customised in keeping with the different needs of the children, a majority are on the spectrum, some with Down’s Syndrome and intellectually disability.
The sensory park, for instance, is a hit for those with autism and has equipment with different textures. The activity centre allows them choose programmes as per one’s moods and likes. To oversee the children, there are many external professionals, including the warden, supervisor and activity head.
Published – October 03, 2026 10:10 pm IST
