Sarana Blind Elders Home :

The Sarana Blind Elders Home is the only elders’ home for blind people in Sri Lanka. It is home to around 30 elders who are either completely or partially visually impaired. The home is located in Ambalantota in the south coast and is situated right by the sea.

The home was modified under the USAID funded Architectural Access project. In Sarana, accessibility features include ramps, accessible toilets, tactile pavements, accessible bathing area and other features.

Mr. Austen, the eldest male in the home at 82 years, used to complain that he usually needs assistance for most of the work he does, from taking his bath to praying in the shrine room. Being a person with a lot of independence, this used to irk him.

However, since the project was complete, he does his work by himself. This has not only improved his confidence and dignity but also helped the caretakers, since they don’t have to watch over Mr Austen and the 30 other residents all the time.

This proves that physical accessibility is not only one of the main avenues for disabled people to become active members of their own community and society at large but also a requisite for barrier free environment for non- disabled people as well.