Accessibility Standards for Jal Jeevan Mission 2023

About Dataset

Issued by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti on 2 August 2023, this document lays down standards for accessible and inclusive piped water supply under the framework of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. It guides the planning, design, construction and retrofitting of drinking-water points at household, community and institutional levels, including schools, anganwadi centres, health facilities, public offices and public places. The guidelines identify physical, institutional and social barriers that can prevent persons with disabilities, elderly persons, pregnant women, mothers with young children and persons with temporary injuries from accessing safe drinking water. They prescribe inclusive design measures such as barrier-free pathways, non-slip surfaces, ramps, adequate turning space for wheelchairs, suitable water-point heights, foot-pedal or sensor-operated taps, long-handle taps, grab bars, tactile and Braille signage, contrasting colours, adequate lighting, drainage and accessible water-storage arrangements. The document also provides technical parameters for wash basins, taps, controls, circulation spaces, signage and other interfaces, drawing on CPWD accessibility guidance, Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards (2021), the National Building Code and ISO 21542:2011. It gives setting-specific requirements for anganwadi centres, schools, residential schools, health and wellness centres, primary health centres, community health centres and hospitals.