Accessible India Campaign: DEPwD Emphasizes Integrating Accessibility at the Design Stage
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) has called for a comprehensive government approach to make infrastructure and services inclusive under the 'Sugamya Bharat' initiative.
During the 'Sankalp for Accessibility' consultation meeting held at the India International Centre in New Delhi, Ms. Manmeet Kaur Nanda (IAS), Additional Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), emphasized the need for an integrated and comprehensive government approach to promote accessibility across India. She clarified that accessibility should not be treated as an afterthought but must be mandatorily included from the initial stages of design.
Ms. Nanda stated that accessibility pertains to education, health, employment, transport, financial services, and public infrastructure. She stressed that progress in one area depends on coordinated actions across other sectors. She urged states to prioritize accessibility and called for all stakeholders to work together to realize the dream of an inclusive India.
The consultation meeting was organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, in collaboration with 'The Association of People with Disability' (APD) India and 'EPSOS'. The primary objective of the program was to review the progress of the 'Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan' (Accessible India Campaign), identify existing gaps, and deliberate on priorities for the next phase.
During the meeting, Mr. Girish C. Hosur, Joint Secretary of DEPwD, highlighted the achievements of the Accessible India Campaign so far and the department's role in public infrastructure, transportation, and digital services. Mr. S. Govinda Raj, Commissioner from the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, remarked that accessibility is a critical need of the hour and that removing existing barriers is imperative.
Mr. Sabir Hari Singh, President of APD, emphasized the necessity of a permanent partnership between the government, experts, and persons with disabilities. The meeting featured two round-table discussions led by Ms. Tripti Sharma, Director of 'EPSOS', which focused on the challenges faced in using accessibility data and the creation of an effective framework for its measurement.
The event saw participation from representatives of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Prasar Bharati, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Additionally, State Commissioners from the governments of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha attended the session.
Launched in 2015, the 'Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan' is a national initiative to promote accessibility in the built environment, transport systems, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This consultation meeting was organized in the context of the 'Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016'. In his closing remarks, Mr. Sukanto Ach, CEO of APD, stated that this shared effort is a ray of hope toward turning the dream of an accessible India into a reality.
