Successful launch of Accessible India Campaign today in India by Honourable Ministers Mr Arun Jaitley & Gehlot is indeed an occasion for everybody in India to celebrate as the start of an inclusive and accessible dream.
According to Mr Mukesh Jain, these are the targets in front of us: “2500 buildings, 3000 websites and 705 railway stations to be made accessible in the coming year 2016”.
We hope and wish this target is met with enthusiasm and zeal from one all, not just the Government, but both private and public institutions, corporates, research centres and individuals. Because this is someone’s right to get an equal opportunity to a dignified life, and as a society it is our responsibility to give them that the means to exercise those rights. Be it education, transport or day to day sustenance.
It was glad to hear from Mr Gehlot about the university being setup exclusively for people with disabilities. Though there might be debates on whether this is against the basic tenet of inclusive society, it would still be a good place of learning with all necessary assistance provided, and some of the latest devices can be readily made available at one place.
For us specifically, it was exciting to hear him mention about new Braille centers and specifically about his forward thinking in mentioning the importance of DAISY, a brilliant technical standard designed to be a complete audio substitute for print material and is specifically designed for use by people with “print disabilities”.
Though we were expecting some announcement on the bringing out a law, nevertheless its still a good start, and we hope to a more accessible India in days ahead.