With the aim of addressing the pressing need for accessibility in India, Svayam, a leading organisation advocating for accessibility, has joined hands with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and a network of 20 NGOs. Their collective effort seeks to establish March 27th as World Accessibility Day, shedding light on the vital importance of inclusive environments and assistive technologies for millions of individuals across the nation.

India, with an estimated 26.8 million people living with disabilities and 104 million individuals aged 65 and above facing mobility constraints, faces a significant challenge in ensuring accessibility for all. Despite these staggering numbers, the country lacks a designated day dedicated to raising awareness and fostering initiatives for accessibility.

The initiative, officially announced at an event held at ICMR, New Delhi on March 27, 2024, garnered support from various stakeholders. Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, emphasised the need for accessibility as a fundamental requirement, rather than a luxury, for all individuals.

Dr. Ravinder Singh, Senior Scientist at ICMR, showed his alignment with the ethos of inclusivity and emphasised the imperative of creating healthcare environments that are inherently accessible assering, “Accessibility is the cornerstone of Viksit Bharat. We are also dedicated to empowering future healthcare professionals with the values of universal accessibility”.

On similar lines, Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder-Chairperson of Svayam, reflected on the profound impact of declaring ‘World Accessibility Day – 27 March’ and shared, “Accessibility is not a privilege but a birthright for all. Let the barriers crumble, and opportunities flourish equally for every individual. Together, with our dedicated partners, we stand united to forge a barrier-free future”.

Dr. Swadeep Srivastava, Founder, HEAL Foundation, added, “Celebrating World Accessibility Day is an important milestone to bring to focus the need for accessibility. Let us recognize that access to healthcare communication is not a privilege but a fundamental human right. With over a billion people living with disabilities, it’s imperative that we ensure all digital health platforms are universally accessible”.

The proposed World Accessibility Day aims to serve as a reminder of the transformative power of assistive technologies and collective efforts in building a world where barriers are non-existent. The spirit of this initiative resonates with care, empathy, and progress, marking a significant milestone in India’s journey towards inclusivity and accessibility for all.

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