Mangaluru: Parents of children with special needs have urged the Dakshina Kannada district administration to improve accessibility by installing disabled-friendly toilets in parks, public buildings, transport hubs and other public spaces across Mangaluru.
The demand comes after a delegation led by Meena Noronha of the Parents of Children with Special Needs group met Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker and MLA U T Khader to highlight the lack of basic facilities for persons with disabilities.
Parents highlight lack of basic facilities
Noronha pointed out that Kadri Park, one of Mangaluru’s oldest and largest public parks, does not have an accessible toilet despite being over five decades old.
She also alleged that toilets designated for differently abled persons in some malls and institutions are often locked or used as storage rooms, making them inaccessible to those who need them.
According to parents, the absence of suitable washrooms forces many families to avoid taking their children to parks, public events and recreational spaces.
Accessibility remains a major concern
Rajashekhara Bhat Kakunje, President of Saksham Trust, said many parents have shared that the lack of accessible toilets keeps them confined to their homes.
He noted that the problem extends beyond Mangaluru, recalling difficulties in finding disabled-friendly washrooms during road journeys, including at fuel stations and KSRTC bus stands where such facilities are mandatory.
Parents also stressed the need for better vocational training opportunities and stronger support systems for adults with special needs.
Call for action
Mahabaleshwara M, Vice-President of the Karnataka Helen Keller Handicapped Association, urged parents to organise a signature campaign and submit it to local elected representatives to press for immediate action.
Meanwhile, G N Nagaraj, President of the Karnataka State Disabled and Caregivers Federation, said he would move the Court of the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities against the district administration and institutions that fail to provide mandatory accessible facilities.
Responding to the demand, Praveen K, Senior Assistant Director of the Horticulture Department, assured that the proposal for a disabled-friendly toilet at Kadri Park would be placed before the next meeting of the Kadri Park Development Committee, chaired by Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan H V.
The parents hope the issue will lead to meaningful changes, ensuring that children with special needs can enjoy public spaces with dignity and equal access.