Accessible India campaign

On December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Central government rolled out ‘Accessible India Campaign,’ aiming to make 50 major cities in India more accessible to the specially abled.

“Accessible India Campaign” (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) is a nationwide campaign that will enable persons with disabilities to gain universal access, equal opportunity for development, independent living and participation in all aspects of life in an inclusive society.

Incidentally, India is commemorating the 20th anniversary of India's first legislation for the differently abled – the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

Under the campaign, at least 50% of all the government buildings of National Capital and all the State capitals will be made fully accessible for persons with disabilities by July 2018. All the international airports in the country and railway stations of A1, A & B categories will be made fully accessible by July 2016.

As per campaign drafted by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, at least 10% of government owned public transport carriers in the country will be converted into fully accessible carriers for these persons by March 2018. It will also be ensured that at least 50% of all public documents issued by the Central Government and the State Governments meet accessibility standards for persons with disabilities by March 2018.

At least 50% of all public documents issued by the Centre and state governments are to meet accessibility standards for persons with disabilities by March 2018.

The government has taken a number of initiatives for the empowerment of persons with disabilities which include scholarships separate institute for deaf and dumb persons and development of new brail language. The government has also decided to set up a special university for persons with disabilities at a cost of Rs 1,700 crore.

It will start functioning with next academic year. The government is hopeful that Accessible India Campaign will empower persons with disabilities further, said Arun Jaitley, the Union Finance Minister, who launched the programme.

A web portal and mobile application for creating a crowd sourcing platform to get information about inaccessible was also launched on the occasion.

The National Awards are conferred on 3rd December every year on the ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ on outstanding Persons with Disabilities; individuals and organizations that are working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.