Latest news with #AccessibleIndiaCampaign
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Exposing children early to concept of disability is the way to go
In a significant move toward inclusive education, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), in partnership with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), recently signed a landmark tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU). The goal: to reform school curricula so that children — able-bodied or otherwise — are exposed early to the concept of disability, and gain a foundational understanding of the rights enshrined in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. This move sends a clear and urgent message: if we want inclusion in our buildings, streets, workplaces, and public spaces, we must first build it into our textbooks. It's a long-overdue recognition that inclusion is not a regulatory requirement to be complied with; it's a cultural norm that must be taught, modelled, and absorbed. And nowhere is this shift more urgently needed than in the fields of architecture, engineering, and urban development — professions that literally shape the world around us. What this project to reform school-level education acknowledges, the built environment sector in India still fails to grasp: inclusion is not a checkbox; it cannot be coerced; it has to be inculcated. Take the example of Delhi, it continues to be a city where persons with disabilities are systematically excluded by design. According to a 2016 access audit conducted under the Union government's Accessible India Campaign, nearly 30% of government buildings in the capital lacked ramps, 82% of public toilets were inaccessible, and 94% of healthcare facilities were not designed with people with disabilities in mind. These figures are not just numbers — they represent an everyday denial of rights. Despite growing awareness, the fundamental issues of coordination, enforcement, and mandatory design education remain unresolved — leaving Delhi's built environment far from inclusive. An afterthought The root of the problem is that the people designing and constructing these buildings — engineers, architects, developers — often have little to no training in disability inclusion. Stakeholders implementing the Unified Building Bylaws (UBBL), a comprehensive set of regulations and guidelines for the construction, alteration, and maintenance of buildings within the National Capital Territory of Delhi, frequently point to a significant knowledge gap. Unlike fire safety, which enjoys a secure place in engineering and architectural curricula and is baked into compliance processes, accessibility is treated as an afterthought — if it appears at all. Two of India's most competitive and prestigious programmes illustrate this gap with uncomfortable clarity. The in computer science and engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, despite its centrality to digital product and systems design, includes no foundational training in accessible technology or inclusive design. The program at the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, one of the country's top institutions for urban design, often treats accessibility as an elective or a niche specialisation, not as a non-negotiable design principle. These courses represent the aspirational apex of technical education in India. If the engineers and architects coming out of these programmes are not trained in disability inclusion, what can one hope for broader systemic change? Most crucially, it's not that India lacks a legal framework for accessibility. Quite the opposite. The RPwD Act, 2016 — specifically Sections 40 and 44 lay out clear obligations for accessible infrastructure. The Harmonised Guidelines, 2021, provide detailed technical standards. Delhi's UBBL, in chapter 11, lays down clear accessibility requirements for public-use buildings — sloped ramps, tactile flooring, accessible toilets, appropriate signage, and more. These essentially accessibility mandates are echoed in varying details in the Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards (2021) and the National Building Code, respectively. Delhi's Master Plan, 2041 even commits to building inclusive recreational spaces and public infrastructure. And yet, even after the Supreme Court's landmark judgment in Rajive Raturi vs Union of India (2024), which ruled that accessibility standards must be mandatory, not optional, implementation remains patchy. Because the real bottleneck isn't the law — it's the capacity to apply it. As one stakeholder in one of our consultations, succinctly put it: 'Engineers don't know what's expected of them. And no one teaches them.' Developers, despite their central role in shaping the built environment, are not even mentioned in UBBL's accountability frameworks, in terms of the compliances they have to meet and the penalties in cases of non-compliance. And technical professionals including engineers and architects across the board rarely receive training in accessibility compliance. The result? Projects that, at most, check some legal boxes without meeting real-world needs. Buildings that pass inspections but fail people. There is an increasing temptation to correct this through penalties. But penalties cannot substitute education. The RPwD Act, 2016 does contain provisions for penalising non-compliance: Section 89 prescribes a fine of up to ₹10,000 for a first offence and ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh for subsequent offences for any person who contravenes provisions of the Act, including accessibility mandates. The enforcement mechanism under the UBBL also leans heavily on punitive penalties while offering little in the way of structural accountability or institutional clarity, which should ideally include training, capacity building, accessibility licensing requirements, among others. Under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, unauthorised construction — including deviations from sanctioned plans — can attract criminal penalties such as imprisonment for up to six months, fines up to ₹5,000, or both. Furthermore, the UBBL states that professionals, including engineers and architects, 'run the risk of having his/her licence cancelled' in cases of misrepresentation or deviation, and allows for delisting and public naming on authority websites, with information forwarded to the Council of Architecture for further action. What results is a framework that focuses on punishment in theory, but lacks the practical tools to ensure prevention, detection, or redress. Enforcement exists on paper, but accountability dissolves in practice. Yet, despite these legal tools and even with express legal provision, enforcement on the ground remains weak, inconsistent, and often tokenistic. Meaning legal coercion is clearly not working. Courts have also recognised this gap. In Nipun Malhotra vs GNCTD (2018), the Delhi High Court explicitly cited the lack of sensitisation among authorities regarding the rights of persons with disabilities. The court stressed that such ignorance often stems from a lack of training and education in accessibility standards. Similarly, in a complaint regarding inaccessible market areas in south Delhi, the Delhi State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, tasked with the implementation of the RPwD Act and adjudicating disputes under the same, ordered that not just municipal engineers and architects but even contractors and masons should be given structured accessibility training. Inclusion must be inculcated This is precisely why the DEPwD's MoU with NCERT and NIOS must not be viewed as an isolated reform, but rather as a foundational template for deeper, structural transformation across professional education. While school curricula now embed inclusion as a civic value, that same commitment must extend to higher education — particularly in architecture, engineering, and planning. Institutions such as the All India Council for Technical Education, the Council of Architecture, and other regulatory bodies must integrate accessibility not as a peripheral topic or optional module, but as a core design competency. Students should graduate not only with the ability to calculate structural loads or design building façades, but with the sensitivity and skills to plan tactile pathways for the visually challenged and ensure ramps are not just technically compliant, but genuinely usable. Because accessibility is not only a matter of compliance; it is a matter of compassion. Unless professionals are educated to internalise this ethos from school through university, no volume of policies, laws, or litigations will rectify the physical and social barriers we continue to cement into our cities. This is particularly urgent now, as in pursuance of the directions of the Supreme court to delineate the minimum non-negotiable standards for accessibility of built environment, the DEPwD called for public comments on a fresh draft of the Built Environment Accessibility Rules in May 2025. As much as the public comments are being collated and incorporated, as a positive step in disability governance, without parallel reform in education, another set of rules will only add to bureaucratic saturation — an ever-expanding stack of paperwork that does little to change what gets built on the ground. To avoid repeating the cycle of well-meaning but toothless compliance, the rulebook must be matched by a textbook — one that does not impose accessibility as a compliance burden, but inculcates it as a first nature. Anchal Bhatheja is a Research Fellow, Disability, Inclusion and Access Team, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy; Views are personal
India Gazette
20-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"They sang with their hearts, not voices": President Murmu moved at NIEPVD in Dehradun
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 20 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu grew visibly emotional during her visit to the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) in Dehradun on Friday, as students sang a heartfelt birthday song dedicated to her. 'It seemed they were singing with their hearts, not voices,' she said, fighting back tears. President Murmu was felicitated at the institute by Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. During her visit, she also inaugurated the newly constructed Rashtrapati Niketan on Rajpur Road. President Murmu became visibly emotional as students of the institute extended birthday wishes to her with a heartfelt song performance. Speaking at the event, President Murmu praised the students' cultural performance, saying, 'The tears did not stop from my eyes. It seemed to me that they were not singing from their necks; they were singing with their hearts--as if God himself resided in their voices.' President Murmu appreciated the institute's role in empowering the visually impaired. 'I am delighted to be among all of you in this institute dedicated to visually impaired persons. I deeply appreciate all those associated with this institution for their contribution to providing education and training, employment opportunities, and raising awareness in society,' she said. She said that a nation's progress can be judged by how it treats persons with disabilities, and added that India's civilizational values are rooted in compassion and inclusion. The President noted that the National Education Policy 2020 includes specific provisions for ensuring equal learning opportunities for differently-abled children. She also mentioned the Accessible India Campaign as a major step toward creating inclusive environments across public and government spaces. Highlighting initiatives at Rashtrapati Bhavan, she said, 'In the month of March this year, the Purple Fest was organised in Amrit Udyan to celebrate the talent, achievements, and aspirations of persons with disabilities.' Calling education a 'powerful medium of empowerment,' the President expressed satisfaction that NIEPVD's Adarsh Vidyalaya students excel in computers, science, music, and sports. Meanwhile, according to the President's Secretariat, the President will release a postage stamp at Raj Bhavan, Nainital, on the completion of its 125 years. On June 21, the President will participate in a mass yoga demonstration at the Uttarakhand State Police Line Maidan, Dehradun on the International Yoga Day. (ANI)
New Indian Express
08-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Gupta launches ‘Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan' to make city Divyang-friendly
NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday held a meeting to improve accessibility in sports, education, and public services for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the national capital. The CM said that under the 'Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan', all government buildings and sports stadiums in the city will be made Divyang-friendly. She said the government is committed to ensuring that no one is excluded from society because of any disability. She explained that the campaign will not only raise awareness and promote inclusive spaces, but also carry out upgrades in public and institutional buildings to make them accessible. The goal is to transform Delhi into a scalable and replicable model of accessibility and inclusion. She added that the Accessible India Campaign aims to ensure accessibility in infrastructure, transport, and digital services for PwDs. To support this national vision at the city level, the Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan has been launched to turn Delhi into India's first 'Purple City' — a symbol of urban accessibility and inclusion. The campaign will follow the 'Sarkar, Samaj, Bazaar' model — involving government agencies, local communities including all 21 disability categories and senior citizens, and CSR partners to develop cost-effective and sustainable solutions. The chief minister said the initiative is being led by IDEA (Inclusive Divyangjan Entrepreneur Association), which works for employment, entrepreneurship, and accessibility for PwDs. The CM also discussed plans for organising a 'Purple Fest' to promote positive thinking and awareness about the abilities and rights of Persons with Disabilities. She directed officials to prepare a detailed plan for the event. She reiterated that all public buildings and stadiums will have ramps, lifts, Braille signage, wheelchair access, and audio-visual aids. Special schemes will also be launched to support PwDs in sports, education, and public services.
Hindustan Times
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi govt buildings, sport complexes to become differently-abled friendly
Chief minister Rekha Gupta directed officials on Saturday that all government buildings and sports complexes in the city be made differently-abled friendly. The order comes as part of the ongoing 'Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan' aimed at promoting accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities (PwDs). CM Gupta was chairing a meeting at the Delhi Secretariat with cabinet minister Ashish Sood, Dr Mallika Nadda, president of Special Olympics Bharat, and officials from the office of the chief commissioner for PwDs, discussing to expand accessibility in the areas of sports, education, and public services for PwDs. 'Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan is not just a social initiative; it's a mission to build an inclusive future where every individual has equal access to opportunities,' she said, adding hat no individual should be excluded from mainstream society due to disability, and announced that all public buildings and stadiums will undergo accessibility upgrades — including installation of ramps, lifts, Braille signage, wheelchair pathways, and audio-visual aids — to ensure unhindered access for PwDs. Under the campaign, the government will raise awareness and sensitisation about accessibility standards and promote inclusive spaces across Delhi while also implementing accessibility upgrades in public and institutional spaces across the city, officials said. Launched on December 3, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Accessible India Campaign aims to create an inclusive India by ensuring universal accessibility in infrastructure, transportation, and digital communication for PwDs. The Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan is a city-level extension of the programme. The campaign was initiated to transform Delhi into India's first 'Purple City'. It is structured around the 'Sarkar, Samaj, Bazaar' framework. Infrastructure will be aligned with national accessibility standards in collaboration with government agencies; inclusion will be promoted at the grassroots level by engaging all 21 categories of disabilities, senior citizens, and the local community; and cost-effective, sustainable solutions will be developed in collaboration with vendors, innovators, and CSR partners.
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First Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
PM Modi launches Amrit Bharat Station Scheme to modernize railway infrastructure, to inaugurate stations next
'Amrit Bharat,' focuses on enhancing basic facilities and comfort levels at stations, including improved entry and exit points, waiting halls, toilets, and platforms. Stations are being upgraded with escalators, elevators, free Wi-Fi, and clearer signage read more India's railway stations, often considered bustling symbols of its towns and cities, are getting a significant makeover through the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, a nationwide initiative aimed at transforming passenger travel experience. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 103 railway stations across 18 states on May 22 from Bikaner, Rajasthan. This inauguration marks a major step in the long-term modernization plan designed to upgrade railway stations in phased approaches tailored specifically to each location's unique needs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The ambitious scheme, named 'Amrit Bharat,' focuses on enhancing basic facilities and comfort levels at stations, including improved entry and exit points, waiting halls, toilets, and platforms. Stations are being upgraded with escalators, elevators, free Wi-Fi, clearer signage, and sophisticated information systems to streamline passenger movement, according to PIB. To further enrich passenger experience, select stations will include executive lounges and designated business meeting spaces. Embracing the government's 'One Station One Product' initiative, local products unique to each region will be displayed and sold, promoting regional craftsmanship and culture. These items range from indigenous handicrafts, textiles like chikankari and zari-zardozi, spices, teas, and other locally produced specialties. Central to the Amrit Bharat Scheme is the intent to integrate railway stations more effectively with the urban landscape, transforming them into vibrant hubs beyond mere transit points. Improved road access, pedestrian-friendly pathways, dedicated parking, and eco-friendly solutions like noise-free tracks are integral to this vision. Each station redevelopment reflects regional culture and architecture. Ahmedabad's redesigned station, for example, draws inspiration from Gujarat's iconic Modhera Sun Temple. In Odisha, Baleshwar station will echo the architectural grandeur of the Jagannath Temple, while Gurugram's station will embrace a modern IT theme. Accessibility remains a priority. Aligning with India's 'Sugamya Bharat Mission' (Accessible India Campaign), the Amrit Bharat Scheme ensures comprehensive accessibility features for passengers with disabilities. Facilities include entrance ramps, tactile paths for visually impaired passengers, accessible parking, low-height ticket counters, Braille signage, and lifts or ramps connecting foot over bridges. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The origin of this extensive modernization drive dates back to 2021, when Gandhinagar became India's first railway station to undergo substantial renovation, incorporating a five-star hotel and advanced facilities. Shortly afterward, Rani Kamalapati Railway Station, formerly known as Habibganj, also received significant enhancements. Officials assert that the overarching goal of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is to redefine stations as places reflecting local pride, heritage, and progress. The railway ministry views this initiative as essential to accommodate India's growing population and evolving travel expectations. Ultimately, the scheme underscores the Indian government's commitment to creating sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready public infrastructure, reflecting an ambitious vision for India's railways as more than just a means of transportation.
