National Policy on Universal Electronic Accessibility okayed

NEW DELHI: The government today approved National Policy on Universal Electronic Accessibility that recognises the need to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disabilities and will facilitate equal access to electronics and Information and Communication Technologies.

The policy was approved by the Cabinet in its meeting held here today, an official statement said.

"The policy will facilitate equal and unhindered access to electronics and ICTs products and services by differently abled persons (both physically and mentally challenged) and to facilitate local language support for the same," the statement said.

This aim of the policy will be achieved through universal access to electronics and ICT products and services to synchronise with barrier free environment and preferably usable without adaptation, the statement further said.

It added that Differently abled persons across the country will benefit from policy, which has been prepared after incorporating comments and suggestions from various stakeholders.

Government has chalked out many strategies to implement the policy, which includes creating awareness on universal electronics accessibility and universal design and capacity building and infrastructure development.

Besides, model electronics and ICTs centres will also be set up for providing training and demonstration to special educators and physically as well as mentally challenged persons.

Programme and schemes will also be developed which will put greater emphasis for differently abled women/children and procurement guidelines will also be developed for electronics and ICTs for accessibility and assistive needs.

The policy has been created on the backdrop of India ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2007.

The UN Convention, among other things, says that "State parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities, access on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including ICTs and systems and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public".

Many countries who are signatories to UNCRPD have legislation policy or a framework to ensure equality for those with disability.