India Sets Course for Enhanced Accessibility at National Consultation
In a resounding call for a unified approach to accessibility, Ms. Manmeet Kaur Nanda, Additional Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), emphasized that achieving accessibility must involve coordinated efforts across all sectors of the government. This message was delivered during the ‘Sugamyata Ka Sankalp’ consultation, organized by DEPwD in New Delhi.
Ms. Nanda highlighted the importance of integrating accessibility into various essential sectors including education, healthcare, employment, and public infrastructure. She stressed that real progress in one area is dependent on the collaborative action of other sectors. The goal, she noted, is to ensure that accessibility is a fundamental design principle instead of a retrofitted solution.
Consultation Unites Stakeholders
The ‘Sugamyata Ka Sankalp’ consultation was co-organized by DEPwD and the Association of People with Disability (APD), with notable collaboration from Ipsos. It served as a platform for government officials, disability advocates, and academic representatives to analyze the current status of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, a national initiative launched in 2015 to enhance accessibility across the nation.
Shri Girish C. Hosur, Joint Secretary at DEPwD, presented the achievements of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan. His insights laid the groundwork for discussions aimed at consolidating past successes and strengthening future initiatives for accessibility in public infrastructure and digital services.
Addressing Ongoing Challenges
Shri S. Govindaraj, from the Chief Commissioner’s office, reiterated the urgency of improving accessibility in India. He expressed that while significant progress has been made, continued efforts are necessary to dismantle existing barriers faced by persons with disabilities.
Mr. Subir Hari Singh, President of APD, welcomed participants and stressed the crucial role of diverse stakeholder collaboration. He shared APD’s mission and emphasized that sustainable progress hinges on strong partnerships among government bodies, specialists, and the disability community.
Data and Measurement Discussions
The event included two moderated roundtable discussions led by Ms. Tripti Sharma from Ipsos. The sessions focused on the challenges of implementing accessibility data and the need for a robust measurement framework to evaluate accessibility across various sectors.
Participants included representatives from various government ministries, state officials, and leaders within the disability sector, contributing both in person and via online platforms.
A Commitment to Inclusive Development
In closing, Mr. Sukanto Aich, CEO of APD, remarked on the significance of such gatherings in fostering dialogue and collaboration as a hopeful sign for advancing the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan’s objectives. The consultation reinforced a collective responsibility among government entities, civil society, and the disability sector in advancing the cause of accessibility across India.
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