Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Accessible India Campaign (AIC) has emerged as a groundbreaking initiative aimed at creating a barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities (PwDs). Launched on 3^rd December 2015, this flagship programme has transformed the narrative of inclusion and accessibility in India, aligning with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

As the AIC celebrates 9 years of remarkable strides in ensuring Universal Accessibility, its achievements across its three pillars are as follows:

1. Built Environment:

• Accessibility audits conducted for 1671 government buildings.
• Accessibility features introduced in 1748 government buildings, including retrofitting for 1314 structures.
• Airports, including 35 international and 55 domestic, equipped with ramps, accessible toilets, and Braille systems.

2. Transportation:

• 709 railway stations made fully accessible, with another 4068 partially accessible.
• 8,695 buses fully accessible; 42,348 buses partially modified for accessibility.
• Accessible bus stations increased to 3120 across 24 states/UTs.

3. Information and Communication:

• 95 central government websites redesigned for accessibility.
• 676 state/UT government websites made accessible.

Noteworthy Initiatives:

• Sugamya Bharat App: A user-friendly mobile platform launched to crowdsource accessibility challenges and ensure prompt resolution.
• Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC): Empowered over 1,000 individuals through sign language training and developed standards for accessible TV content.
• Accessible Elections: The Election Commission of India achieved 100% accessibility for its 10.5 lakh polling stations.
• Sports Excellence: The Centre for Disability Sports in Gwalior offers world-class facilities for differently-abled athletes.

Impact across Ministries:

• Education: Majority of government schools now feature ramps, accessible toilets, and railings.
• Financial Inclusion: Ministry of Finance and RBI are spearheading digital accessibility for financial systems.
• Cultural Representation: Indian film festivals now include accessible screenings and Indian Sign Language interpretations.

Forward-Looking Strategies

The next phase of AIC aims to:

• Formulate sector-specific accessibility standards for remaining ministries and departments.
• Make 500 additional government websites fully accessible.
• Train a cadre of access auditors in collaboration with the Council of Architecture.
• Develop specialized accessibility courses for B.Tech, B.Plan, and B.Arch students in partnership with IIT Kharagpur and AICTE.

Building a Resilient Future:

AIC’s holistic approach - embracing infrastructure, technology, and societal attitudes -embodies the government’s commitment to an ‘Accessible Bharat, Viksit Bharat’. As the campaign transitions into the ‘Creation of Barrier-Free Environment’, sub-scheme under SIPDA, it will continue driving inclusion, independence, and equity for Divyangjan across India. This transformative journey is a testament to India's pledge to leave no one behind.

*****

VM