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Published on:
February 6, 2023
By
Riddhi Thakrar

Getting a clear idea on Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan initiative

The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan is a programme that seeks to improve accessibility for people with disabilities in India. Within this programme, the government is taking the required steps to ensure that all public spaces are inclusive to those with physical disabilities.

The Accessible India Campaign, also known as the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, was launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) as a national initiative to attain universal accessibility to people with disabilities (PwDs). The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan was introduced by the prime minister on December 3, 2015 which is also called the international Day of People with Disabilities.

Article 9 of the "UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," toward which India has become a signatory since 2007, is in accordance with the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan. The Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1995's Sections 44, 45, and 46, which safeguard PwDs' rights, fair treatment, and non-discrimination in transportation, apply to the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan campaign.

Through the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, the DEPwD seeks to create an inclusive society where PwDs have equity in access to opportunities for growth and advancement. This programme seeks to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities in the nation, which continues to be a major problem. The program's only purpose is to make public spaces and other locations in the nation readily accessible to individuals with disabilities.

What are the components of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan

The following can be the elements of the sugamya bharat abhiyan:

1. Building Design Accessibility - People with impairments as well as the general public benefit from an accessible environment. There under the auspices of this campaign, actions are done to remove barriers and obstructions to both indoor and exterior facilities, such as hospitals, universities, buildings, businesses, and obstructions in the way of traffic and pedestrians on footpaths.

2. Accessibility of the transportation network - it is important because it allows people with disabilities to live independently in society and get around from one location to another. Buses, trains, planes, and taxis are just a few of the transit options available.

3. Communication and Technology Ecosystems Connectivity - Everyone in society has many chances thanks to easy access to knowledge. To decide things, people use data in a variety of ways. information and communication availability.

 

The main objective of the Abhiyan

The program's goal is to improve accessibility for disabled individuals in public areas, airports, tourist destinations, transportation, information and communications technologies, and train stations (PwD). The government wants to give PwDs equitable opportunities so they can function freely and lead secure, secure, and successful lives.

The programme aims to raise awareness about the need for better accessibility options for people with disabilities throughout the nation. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and indeed the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment are both actively supporting the establishment of the programme (DEPwD).

The following can be considered as further objectives of the SBA:

1. Increasing the number of government buildings that are accessible An accessibility government building is one that PwDs can enter and use its amenities without encountering any obstacles. The constructed environment is covered, including stairs, ramps, access gates, hallways, emergency exits, parking, and both outside and interior facilities, comprising security devices, signs, light, and restrooms.

2. Increasing the number of accessible airports such that an accessible airport is one where people with disabilities (PwDs) face no obstacles when utilizing its amenities, boarding, or getting off airplanes.

3. Increasing the percentage of available train stations where An accessible railway station is one where people with disabilities (PwDs) face no barriers whether utilizing its amenities, boarding, or getting off of trains.

4. Increasing the percentage of accessible public transportation. Public transportation is accessible when people with disabilities have a fair chance to use both commercial and public transportation systems independently.

5. Increasing the percentage of accessible and useful web pages and public records entails updating all present sites and government documents to comply with the pertinent, internationally accepted standards and requirements.

6. Increasing the number of gesture recognition translators.  A person who complies with the official order language's professional requirements is called a basic sign interpretation.

7. Increasing the amount of daily captioned and sign-language translation of news programmes on public television which helps in  assuring that the percentage of news programmes on television news adheres to the established guidelines for sign language translation and daily captions.

Implementation of the SBA

For crowdfunding inquiries regarding any inaccessible locations, the DEPwD has developed a portal and a smartphone app for said Accessible India Campaign. A user can post a video or photo of an unreachable region through the portal or mobile app to alert the government about such a difficult-to-reach public location, such as a medical, university, government building, etc.

The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan portal will handle the requests for monetary approval, an accessibility assessment, and any modifications necessary to make the building completely inclusive. Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and major corporations are invited to join the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan portal and mobile application's mobility drive to undertake accessibility inspections and assist in making building, internet, and mobility more accessible.

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