The Nepal Disabled Women Association (NDWA) successfully conducted a one-day workshop on Universal Design, Disability and Accessibility in Kathmandu on 23 September 2026. The workshop was attended by 14 municipal and ward-level engineers from Tarakeshwor and Budhanilkantha Municipalities.
The primary objective of the workshop was to enhance participants’ technical capacity to integrate disability inclusion and accessibility into the planning, design, construction, renovation and monitoring of public infrastructure.
Through interactive presentations, discussions and practical group exercises, participants explored the principles of disability-inclusive and Universal Design, technical accessibility standards, accessibility audit processes, report preparation and practical engineering solutions.
Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring the entire accessibility chain within public infrastructure. Participants were informed about the importance of ensuring that access routes, entrances, internal circulation areas, service rooms, toilets, parking facilities and other amenities are accessible to all. The workshop highlighted that accessibility goes beyond installing ramps at entrances; it involves creating an environment where persons with disabilities can reach public buildings, move around independently and use available services and facilities with ease.
The workshop underscored the importance of incorporating accessibility principles from the initial planning and design stages of public infrastructure development. This approach is expected to help reduce physical and environmental barriers and create an environment where persons with disabilities can access and use public infrastructure and municipal services safely, independently and with dignity.
The participating engineers expressed their commitment to applying the knowledge and skills gained during the workshop in their respective areas of work and making every possible effort to incorporate accessibility and Universal Design principles into municipal infrastructure development.
Strengthening the capacity of technical personnel at the local level is essential to making public infrastructure accessible, inclusive and disability-friendly for everyone. Such initiatives are expected to contribute to ensuring equal access to public services and facilities for persons with disabilities.