In conversation with wheelchair user Leha Divakar, delving into the importance of accessibility in public spaces, transportation, and accommodations.
Some things happen by chance. I went to the newly opened Spectrum Mall in Noida and was surprised to see a notice for ‘wheelchairs on rent’ at the main entrance.
In another instance, at the entrance of Shopper’s Stop, Skymark Mall, Noida, a wheelchair lay for free use to enable a smooth experience inside the showroom.
Both these instances were a surprise as I have often seen physically challenged people struggling in public spaces. This is despite the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, instituted by the Government of India. Among the many rights cited in the Act is the importance of creating accessible environments, such as buildings, transportation systems, and public spaces.
To understand the need of a physically challenged person while moving in public spaces, I got into conversation with wheelchair user, Leha Divakar, Manager-Brand and Community, Blogchatter.
Diagnosed with Paraplegia after a fall, Leha has been using a wheelchair for 14 years. Paraplegia is a type of paralysis that affects the lower body. It occurs when the spinal cord is injured, leading to a loss of sensation and muscle function below the point of injury.
Overcoming this physical and mental challenge, she has travelled abroad and shares her observations on public facilities across the countries she has been to. Excerpts:
A wheelchair gives you the freedom of mobility. But how does one get accustomed to a wheelchair? Did you need training, any kind of support at home? Which wheelchair suits a traveller?
Adapting to a wheelchair is like unlearning something ingrained and learning an entirely new skill. Building upper body strength is crucial for manoeuvring the chair effectively.
In the beginning, navigating a house not designed for wheelchair use can be challenging. I remember bumping into wall corners and door edges quite often. Over time, with practice and adjustments, things got easier.
We also modified our home to make it more accessible. For instance, my home in Pune has lower wash basins and mirrors, an accessible wardrobe, wider doors, and thresholds designed for smooth transitions.
For travel, a lightweight, foldable wheelchair works best.
Do you find it easy to travel or even go for day outings in India? What kind of facilities do you see for people with disabilities?
In India, it’s a mix of yes and no. While some places are accessible, you still need to plan meticulously.
Before stepping out, even for a day, I ensure the destination has ramps, minimal obstacles, and accessible washrooms. However, very few places in India meet these requirements.
Malls are my usual go-to since many have accessible washrooms. Yet, these washrooms are often locked or repurposed as utility rooms.
Surprisingly, even some five-star hotels don’t offer accessible washrooms in their rooms, or they miss critical features like bathing seats in the spacious bathrooms.
That said, a few places stand out for their awareness and facilities, such as Taj Hotels, The Trees in Vikhroli, and Orchid Hotels in Pune and Mumbai.
Have you ever seen any public place offering wheelchairs on rent in India and abroad? Do you feel wheelchairs should be provided free of cost? Should this rent include a person who will take the wheelchair user around till they exit the place?
In public places, yes, I’ve seen wheelchairs available in some places. In my experience, they were uncomfortable because mine is custom made for my needs, but for many this provision is useful.
Wheelchairs are expensive but we don’t get the quality we need in India. Myself and Ajay, my partner, are able to manage as of now, but I know many people with disabilities are not. And it’s unfair.
I do believe medical care and mobility aids should be affordable but not free of cost. The worst part is medical insurance is not given to people with spinal cord injury.
What has been your experience in different modes of transport such as trains, airplanes and cars. What kind of facilities within the vehicle make it a smooth journey?
Before my disability, I loved travelling by train. Post-disability, flights and cars work better. Ample leg space and comfortable seats make all the difference.
In flights, airlines provide a cabin wheelchair for boarding and deboarding. However, there’s no cabin wheelchair onboard, meaning the washroom is inaccessible during the flight, which makes it extremely difficult if the flight is long.
In 2024, you travelled to Dubai. What provisions did you find there for wheelchair users? Are the hotels equipped to handle their needs?
My trip to Dubai was the best in my life. I saw a whole other side to inclusivity during this trip. Everything, from flights and airport assistance to taxis, hotel stays, and sightseeing, was accessible. The city has truly done its homework!
Ajay and I enjoyed every moment without worrying about washroom access or transportation. Metro travel, theme parks, and even activities like scuba diving were seamless.
The availability of wheelchair-accessible taxis made things even better. We could board directly without needing to fold or dismantle the wheelchair.
You also travelled to Japan. How was your experience there?
Japan was also quite accessible. Despite the language barrier, accessibility wasn’t an issue. Everyone was equipped with translator devices or apps, making communication effortless.
But as we all know, there is a shortage of space in the country. Places such as restaurants, cafes, bars, are super cute but also fit into tiny spaces. So, finding ones that are easily accessible can be quite a search.
Apart from that, the hotel stay was smooth. We travelled by metro. That was an incredible experience. Some trains had an entire room we could book, and the washrooms were very spacious too.
You run an Instagram handle @wheelingtogether. You have highlighted the issue of disability on Blogchatter’s Instagram handle through Q&A and live sessions. How have these public profiles helped you personally, besides spreading awareness about the issue?
I used to be wary of speaking about a topic like disability because there are stigmas attached to it. It took me time to come to terms with it and once I was confident of myself, talking about disability became easy.
Ajay and I started Wheeling Together to share our journey and inspire others facing similar challenges. It also became a platform to raise awareness about issues we’ve experienced firsthand.
Blogchatter has always been that safe space anyone can voice their thoughts on and get all the support in return.
Creativity has been a big part of this process—it’s not just a way to spread awareness but also a source of strength for me. Talking about disability and everything it entails is empowering to me.
This post is a part of ‘International Day of Persons with Disability’ blog hop hosted by Sakshi Varma – Tripleamommy. #IDPD2024Bloghop #disabilityadvocacy
Access all posts of this blog hop HERE
Queen of Treasures 
It was good to read about Leha and Ajay’s travels and experiences. Its clearly evident that there is so much more to be done, to make the accesdibility smoother.
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i tend to disagree about Dubai being accessible and disabled friendly. I have captured the challenges in detail in my blog based on my experience there where logic fails the disabled. Several countries including Dubai do lip service on accessibility by providing free wheel chairs but making systems that render them unusable.
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Sorry you didn’t have a good experience. Myself and my partner are both disabled (we need the wheelchair 24/7) and we travel alone with no able person with us.
With some research we were able to navigate through the systems and explain what we exactly needed. Every disability is different so yes, the needs would be too.
At the airport, at the mall we were able to get staff to assist us.
Whereas in India the experience has always been extremely challenging.
While individual experiences may definitely vary, there are facilities in place to support visitors with mobility challenges. It’s possible that during your visit, some of these services weren’t smoothly in place.
Accessibility in Dubai and other countries has been improving, and the more information we have, the smoother the experience can be.
I really hope you have better experiences next time.
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I was always curious to know about you since Suchita posted your pictures of Pune, I think, but I didn’t know how to connect. You both became an inspiration for me.
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Thank you so much Varsha!
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Leha has been such a beacon to people with disabilities, busting myths and giving a voice to millions.I am glad that this interview shed light on so many issues that need to be set right.
Access has to be available everywhere and not just on paper.
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Thanks so much Preeti!
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Thank you for featuring my experiences and highlighting important points, Ambica 🙂
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It was a learning for me as well.
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Leha’s cheerful face has been an inspiration to me ever since I got to know her through Blogchatter, albeit virtually. Thank you for carrying this interview which throws ample light into the spirit behind that cheerfulness.
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Am so glad. Thank you 😊
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Ambica, Thanks for putting this. I don’t have words to express how I feel after reading this, but it really touched me in every way. You know, when I received her message, I didn’t know her much, but today, knowing her a little more makes me feel better and proud to be connected with her.
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It has been a journey for me as well, as we all live in the virtual more and physical less. But the world is far bigger than our small view. I am glad you got to know Leha a bit more.
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I love listening to Leha talk about her journey and what helps her navigate her day to day living. Since we have travelled together, it has taught us so much about accessibility and the kind of questions you need to ask to ensure everything is smooth.
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It’s all about understanding the needs. 😛
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I’m truly moved by your conversation with Leha Divakar. Her insights on accessibility are both eye-opening and empowering. It’s inspiring to hear how she navigates daily challenges with grace and determination, while also advocating for a more inclusive world. Her experiences in India and abroad highlight the importance of accessible spaces, and I appreciate how she uses her platform to raise awareness and inspire others. This post truly reflects the strength of the human spirit and the need for societal change. Thank you for sharing this enlightening perspective.
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Very interesting conversation with a person full of these lived experiences. My mother is on a wheelchair and we often have to plan ahead but that’s never deterred us from doing anything outdoors-y. Over the years, people’s attitude towards seeing (read staring) or helping anyone on a wheelchair in a public setting has altered in a good way.
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Leha, your journey is inspiring, and your advocacy for accessibility is making a real difference. You’re empowering others and raising vital awareness through social media. Keep shining—you’re a true beacon of hope!
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Thank you Ambica, for bringing Leha’s experiences to the fore….keep inspiring, both of you!
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Thanks Ambica for sharing this wonderful interview.
It is quite inspiring to see Leha and Ajay’s indomitable spirit…keep up the great work of spreading awareness..
Best Wishes
Sachin Jakhotia
https://shlokability.blogspot.com/
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Such a powerful conversation on accessibility and inclusion. It emphasizes the importance of creating environments where everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to thrive. Truly inspiring and thought-provoking!
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Thanks Ambica, for this beautiful story. And thanks to Leha for helping us understand so many things that we perhaps ignore.
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leha definitely has been an inspiration. I follow her social media channels so I’m aware of her travel trips. It was good to know their perspective from your questions.
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How thoughtful of you to have highlighted the experience of a fellow blogger! Through Leha and by asking her the right questions, you have spread the required awareness on the facilities that need to be developed to make the life of a challenged individual comfortable.
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This is a truly eye-opening conversation on the everyday challenges faced by wheelchair users. Leha’s journey highlights the urgent need for more accessible public spaces, transportation, and accommodations in India, and her experiences abroad showcase how inclusivity can make such a difference. It’s inspiring to see the steps individuals and organizations are taking to create a more accessible environment, but there’s still so much to be done.
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This blog is a true eye-opener, not just for me but perhaps for many others as well. It highlights the importance of being sensitive and taking steps to make our infrastructure more disability-friendly. By doing so, we can help reduce their challenges and empower them to lead more independent lives.
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