30/09/2025 Yes to Access EditorialImpact Story

Making Healthcare Accessible- A Story of Change at Kolar District Hospital

Imagine needing medical care but dreading the entrance to your local hospital. For persons with disabilities in Kolar, this was the daily reality at Sri Narasimharaju District Hospital. The ramp leading into the building was nothing more than a steep slope of cement—no railings, no support, no safety. Every visit meant an uncomfortable struggle up an incline- as if it was designed to keep them out.

By documenting the hospital’s accessibility through the Yes to Access App, we turned a problem into data. Suddenly, there was no room for “we didn’t know” or “we’ll look into it someday.” The evidence was clear, shareable, and impossible to ignore.

The real breakthrough happened on December 3rd, 2024—International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Yes to Access  organized a celebration that brought together local disability rights organizations and, crucially, healthcare officials. Among the attendees was Dr. Mamata, the District Surgeon of the very hospital we’d been documenting.
As Dr. Mamata learned about Yes to Access and heard first-hand accounts from persons with disabilities, something clicked. Instead of defensive excuses or vague promises, she made a clear commitment: “Wherever ramps are missing in the hospital, they will be installed.”
Those words marked a turning point. This wasn’t just lip service at a ceremonial event. Mamata’s promise represented a shift in mindset—accessibility wasn’t an optional upgrade, it was essential healthcare infrastructure.

But promises are only as good as the follow-through. That’s why Suprime Vikalachethanara Seva Samasthe, Kolar continues to work closely with the APD Organization, keeping on following up on progress while advocating for Yes to Access  in the area . The cement barrier is finally being transformed into accessible ramp with railings, which inaugurated on 5th August 2025
This story matters because it’s bigger than one ramp. It shows what’s possible when technology meets advocacy, when communities speak up, and when institutions actually listen. The Yes to Access app continues to grow, helping persons with disabilities navigate their world with confidence while giving organizations the tools to prioritize what really matters.

In Kolar, we’re not just building better ramps. We’re building a blueprint for change that any community can follow. Because at the end of the day, accessibility isn’t about special treatment—it’s about equal access to the spaces and services we all deserve.