For most people, footpaths are just part of daily life. However, for wheelchair users, it means freedom. Until recently, students using wheelchairs at the Draktsho Vocational Training Centre for Special Children and Youth at Kanglung in Trashigang couldn’t go beyond their campus without help. That has changed with the completion of a 1.5 kilometre wheelchair-accessible footpath, inaugurated on Monday.
The new footpath connects the Draktsho training centre to Kanglung town, giving students who are wheelchair users more independence and mobility.
The centre has 70 students, of whom 15 are wheelchair users. The centre offers vocational training for persons with disabilities in the east.
“I used to feel sad seeing my friends go out while I had to stay back because of my disability. I wanted to be like them, but my leg condition held me back. I even cried and had thoughts of giving up. But now, with this new footpath, I feel truly happy,” said Thinley Wangdi, a student at the Draktsho Vocational Training Centre for Special Children and Youth, Trashigang.
“I am really happy that we now have a wheelchair-accessible footpath. Before, we had to stay inside the hostel even on weekends. But now, we can go out, visit shops and explore freely,” said Tenzin Wangchuk, another student at the Draktsho Vocational Training Centre for Special Children and Youth, Trashigang.
Construction of the 1.5-kilometre wheelchair-accessible footpath began earlier this year and was completed within three months.
The Kanglung Gewog Administration supported the construction with a funding of Nu 800,000.
This simple change in infrastructure is expected to make the centre more inclusive and empowering, especially for wheelchair users.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Sonam Pem
