The Accessible India Campaign (AIC), a nationwide initiative by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is aimed at creating an accessible and inclusive environment for persons with disabilities across the country. The campaign was scheduled to reach its completion; however, due to slow progress, the deadline has now been extended until March 2020.
Accessible India Campaign’s Inception
The AIC was launched by the Prime Minister on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December 2015. Prior to this, the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act of 1995 explicitly stated non-discrimination in transport and the built environment. This act was later replaced by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which India has signed, mandates under Article 9 that governments should ensure accessibility to Information, Transportation, Physical Environment, Communication Technology, and essential services for persons with disabilities.
Key Components of AIC
The Accessible India Campaign focuses on three primary areas: Built Environment Accessibility, Transportation System Accessibility, and Information and Communication Eco-System Accessibility.
Built Environment Accessibility refers to making the physical environment inclusive for everyone, including persons with disabilities. Transportation System Accessibility aims at making public transport user-friendly and accessible for all. Lastly, Information and Communication Eco-System Accessibility is about making information and communication technology accessible to all.
Targets of the Three Components
The plan was to ensure that 50% of all government buildings in the National Capital and all State capitals were fully accessible by December 2018. Additionally, an audit of 50% of government buildings in the ten most important cities or towns in each state was to be completed by December 2019, with all of them fully accessible.
When it comes to transport, the goal was to convert 50% of the country’s railway stations into fully accessible ones by March 2018. In addition, 25% of Government-owned public transport carriers were supposed to be fully accessible by the same date.
Regarding Information technology, an accessibility audit of 50% of all government websites (both Central and State Governments) was to be conducted, making them fully accessible by March 2017.
Table of Key Facts
| Component | Target | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Built Environment Accessibility | 50% of government buildings fully accessible | December 2018 |
| Transportation System Accessibility | 50% of railway stations fully accessible | March 2018 |
| Information and Communication Eco-System Accessibility | 50% of government websites fully accessible | March 2017 |
The Extension of the Deadline
The primary reason for the extension of the campaign’s deadline to March 2020 is the slow progress in realizing the goals laid out at its inception. Despite efforts, creating a barrier-free environment across various sectors has proven to be a monumental task requiring more time, resources, and dedication. Reaching these lofty goals underscores the immense necessity and value of inclusive development, which respects the rights and needs of persons with disabilities.
