'Sugamya Yatra' Campaign Launched to Enhance Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

A groundbreaking initiative, the Sugamya Yatra Campaign, aimed at addressing accessibility issues faced by persons with disabilities, was launched on Saturday in New Delhi, coinciding with International Wheelchair Day.

Organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under India's Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the campaign takes a grassroots-level, collaborative approach to enhance accessibility nationwide. The launch event was presided over by Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of DEPwD, highlighting the government's commitment to inclusion.

Collaborative Approach and Grassroots Impact​

Under the Sugamya Yatra Campaign, specially formed teams comprising wheelchair-users, individuals with hearing impairments, architecture students, and technology experts will evaluate public spaces for accessibility issues. These teams will identify critical gaps and engage directly with stakeholders to implement essential improvements through a structured social audit process.

Secretary Aggarwal emphasized the inclusive and collaborative nature of the campaign:

"We started this in Delhi, but it is a nationwide effort, where the Divyang community is actively involved at the district level. Architecture students and technology experts are working together to assess accessibility issues and engage with establishments in a constructive manner."

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Initial Assessments and Immediate Challenges​

The campaign’s first assessment began with the Delhi Metro system, which already demonstrates substantial accessibility from platforms to train compartments. However, Aggarwal pointed out that last-mile connectivity continues to pose significant challenges for persons with disabilities.

He further outlined the campaign's vision, stating:

"Every kind of community is coming together in this initiative. We expect that in the next three to four months, many places in Delhi will undergo a social audit and become truly accessible."

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Real-Life Experiences to Drive Change​

One unique aspect of the Sugamya Yatra Campaign is that team members experience accessibility barriers firsthand. For instance, when visiting restaurants, wheelchair-users encounter obstacles such as staircases or inaccessible menus, allowing them to communicate clearly and practically with business management about necessary changes.

Aggarwal illustrated this collaborative engagement, stating:

"When they enter a restaurant, they experience firsthand the challenges of climbing stairs or reading the menu. They explain to the management how other establishments have successfully adopted best practices, making it a collaborative effort to bring about change."

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This approach, which builds upon a broader social movement initiated last month, aims to inspire establishments to adopt accessibility best practices proactively.