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The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of India has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of People with Disability to enhance accessibility audits through a crowdsourcing initiative. Utilizing APD's "Yes to Access" App, the collaboration aims to engage citizens in evaluating
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India celebrates World Braille Day by highlighting its commitment to improving Braille accessibility and inclusion for visually impaired persons. Through initiatives like the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and NEP 2020, India has been active in expanding access to Braille education, enhancing inclusivity through government schemes, and adopting
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The Ministry of Railways has improved accessibility at 5,868 stations across India by providing wheelchairs and 196 battery-operated vehicles at 79 major stations to assist disabled individuals (Divyangjan), senior citizens, sick passengers, and pregnant women. Railways now offer concessional online ticket booking for Divyangjan and patients with certain illnesses,
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The Ministry of Railways has announced new measures to enhance travel convenience for senior citizens, women above 45, and persons with disabilities. Lower berths are automatically allotted, subject to availability, to senior citizens and women aged 45 and above. Additional quotas exist for pregnant women. Separate compartments are provided for
Accessibility
During the International Purple Fest, three significant initiatives were unveiled to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities in education and skill development. The initiatives include the launch of the IELTS Training Handbook tailored for persons with disabilities, a certification course in Indian Sign Language interpretation, and a specialized training program
Tele MANAS
On World Mental Health Day 2025, Union Health Minister Shri J P Nadda launched new initiatives for the Tele MANAS App, including a multi-lingual user interface, a chatbot feature, and an emergency module. The app now supports 10 regional languages to enhance accessibility and includes features for visually impaired users.
Indian Sign Language
On the International Day of Sign Languages 2025, Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, addressed the nation via PM eVidya ISL Channel 31, highlighting the importance of Indian Sign Language (ISL) as a symbol of inclusion and empowerment. He emphasized the need for education in a child's
Visually Impaired
Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for 'Shri Parasmal Bohra College for the Visually Impaired' and a hostel in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the strengths of differently-abled individuals, highlighting the Modi government's initiatives to empower them, including increased funding
NeVA
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has introduced new features in the NeVA platform to promote linguistic diversity. These include Text-to-Text Machine Translation via Bhashini for translating public portals into 22 Scheduled Regional Languages and English, a state-wise interface configuration for regional language operation, and a language toggle feature in the
Cultural Heritage
The Ministry of Culture oversees the conservation and maintenance of 3685 centrally protected monuments in India, managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) and Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) are involved in documenting and promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) through various programs. The ASI also
Reservation Policy
The Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, held a two-day workshop at SBI Academy, Gurugram, focusing on the implementation of the Reservation Policy in Public Sector Banks and Financial Institutions. The workshop aimed to enhance accessibility for Divyangjans and improve public grievance redressal. Senior officials from various financial institutions
Sugamya Bharat App
The Sugamya Bharat App has been revamped to improve accessibility support for divyangjan and elderly citizens in India. The new features include a user-friendly interface, AI-powered chatbot for real-time assistance, and integration of government schemes. As of June 2025, the app has over 14,000 registered users and has resolved