Empowering Inclusion: Understanding India’s Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPD) Act and Its Impact on Accessibility!

By: Skynet Technologies USA LLC
8 mins
500
Web Accessibility in India

In recent years, India has taken significant strides toward promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PwDs), marking a shift from a welfare-based approach to one grounded in empowerment and human rights. In a world where digital platforms are central to daily life, online access to information and services has become an essential right. However, for persons with disabilities, digital access is often limited due to various barriers.

India’s Rights of Person with Disabilities (RPD) Act of 2016 marks a significant step forward in bridging the gap by promoting inclusivity in both physical and digital spaces. This landmark legislation emphasizes the need for accessible digital environments, helping to create a more inclusive society where everyone can participate equally in the digital age.

Understanding the RPD Act, 2016!

The RPD Act, 2016, which replaced the Persons with Disabilities Act of 1995, was introduced to align India’s disability rights framework with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilitiess (UNCRPD), to which India is a signatory. The Act expands the definition of disability from seven categories to twenty-one, including conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, chronic neurological conditions, and mental illnesses. This broadening of scope enables more individuals to access legal protections and government benefits.

The primary aim of the RPD Act is to foster a society in which people with disabilities have access to equal rights, comprehensive protections, and genuine social inclusion. The law emphasizes non-discrimination in various areas, including education, employment, healthcare, and public accessibility.

Highlights of the act for ensuring web accessibility in India!

The RPD Act recognizes digital accessibility as a critical component of inclusion. Here are some of the main provisions of the Act on digital accessibility:

  • Accessibility standards for websites and applications

    The Act mandates that all government websites and applications must comply with global digital accessibility standards, specifically the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) - developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), provide a framework for making digital content accessible for people with a range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive impairments. The government launches multiple programs, such as the Accessible India Campaign, and establishes guidelines like GIGW 3.0 (Guidelines for Indian Government Websites) to strengthen accessibility initiatives.

  • Equal access to online services

    Government portals that provide essential services, such as healthcare, education, financial assistance, and more are required to ensure that all individuals can access their desired services without encountering any barriers. This provision encourages developers to design websites that are compatible with screen readers, offer text alternatives for images, provide easy navigation, and include features to assist users with different needs.

  • Inclusive communication channels

    The RPD Act promotes the use of inclusive communication channels, requiring that websites, applications, and other digital platforms provide options for diverse methods of engagement. For example, video content must include closed captioning for the hearing-impaired, while voice-activated services benefit users with limited physical mobility. This emphasis on varied communication methods ensures more inclusive interactions online.

  • Audits and compliance checks

    To ensure that digital spaces remain accessible, the RPD Act recommends regular accessibility audit for government websites and applications. By requiring periodic assessments, the law aims to maintain digital environments that are continuously improving and meeting accessibility standards.

  • Incentivizing private sector accessibility

    Although the Act primarily mandates accessibility in public sector platforms, it also encourages private businesses to adopt accessibility standards. Through incentives, the government hopes to encourage private organizations to create accessible digital experiences, recognizing that inclusivity across all online spaces is essential for a truly accessible digital ecosystem.

Challenges in achieving managed digital accessibility in India!

While the RPD Act has laid a strong foundation for digital accessibility, challenges remain:

  • Inconsistent implementation

    Despite the Act’s mandates, not all government websites and applications fully comply with accessibility standards. Implementation can be inconsistent, particularly in smaller cities and rural areas, where resources and technical expertise may be limited.

  • Lack of awareness among private organizations

    Although the RPD Act encourages private entities to adopt accessibility standards, many businesses are still unaware of or reluctant to implement digital accessibility measures. Without adequate incentives or regulatory pressure, some private organizations may not prioritize accessibility, limiting the Act's impact on the broader digital ecosystem.

  • Resource constraints

    Achieving full compliance with digital accessibility standards can be costly, especially for smaller organizations. Access to funding and resources is essential to ensure that all platforms can afford to implement these standards, regardless of their budget constraints.

  • Need for continuous upgrades and maintenance

    Digital accessibility is not a one-time fix; it requires regular updates and maintenance as technology evolves. Many websites may initially comply with accessibility standards but may become inaccessible over time without periodic reviews and improvements.

Impact of the RPD Act on digital accessibility!

The RPD Act has catalyzed several positive changes, fostering a culture that prioritizes accessibility in digital development. Some of the most notable impacts include:

  • Greater awareness of digital inclusion among government agencies and tech/non-tech companies.
  • Increased accessibility of digital products and services across the industries.
  • Advancements in assistive technology. Voice-recognition software, screen readers, Braille displays, and other assistive devices are more widely available now.
  • Organizations have included accessibility training in their tech teams’ development practices to ensure accessible digital products.
  • Expanded reach of online education.

WCAG compliant websites of leading Indian companies: Accessibility in action!

1. Unique Identification Authority of India

  • Focus: They are committed to ensure that the information or this Website is accessible to all users irrespective of device in use, technology or ability. They have tried to ensure that all information on this Website is accessible to people with disabilities.
  • URL: https://uidai.gov.in/

2. IIT Madras

  • Focus: They are committed to ensuring that the content on the IIT Madras portal is accessible to all users irrespective of device in use, technology or ability. They have put our best effort into ensuring the website’s build and information provides maximum accessibility and usability to its visitors.
  • URL: https://www.iitm.ac.in/accessibility

3. IIT Delhi

  • Focus: IIT Delhi (the “University”) in partnership with Emeritus is committed to providing a website in connection with the Programs that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability. As such, the University has voluntarily undertaken reasonable commercial efforts to comply with the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, Level AA.
  • URL: https://iitdelhi.emeritus.org/accessibility

4. State Election Commission Maharashtra

  • Focus: State Election Commission Maharashtra is committed to ensuring that the State Election Commission portal is accessible to all the users irrespective of device in use, technology or ability. It has been built with the aim of providing maximum accessibility and usability to its users.
  • URL: https://mahasec.maharashtra.gov.in/Home/Index

5. Department of school Education and literacy

  • Focus: Department of School Education and Literacy through its autonomous/Statutory bodies, i.e. CBSE, KVS, JNV, NIOS, NCERT and NCTE and its centrally sponsored scheme of Samagra Shiksha, PM Poshan, Padhna Likhna Abhiyan.
  • URL: https://dsel.education.gov.in/

6. Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College and Hospital

  • Focus: The Official Website of Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College and Hospital, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, has been built with an aim to provide maximum accessibility and usability to its visitors.
  • URL: https://autch.delhi.gov.in/accessibility-statement

7. Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode

  • Focus: IIM Kozhikode (the “University”) in partnership with Emeritus is committed to providing a website in connection with the Programs that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability.
  • URL: https://iimk.ac.in/

8. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

  • Focus: Ministry Of Road Transport & Highways, Govt. of India website complies with World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 level AA. This will enable people with visual impairments to access the website using assistive technologies, such as screen readers.
  • URL: https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan//en

9. The National Institute of Open Schooling

  • Focus: The National Institute of Open Schooling website is accessible to all users irrespective of device in use, technology or ability. It has been built with the aim of providing maximum accessibility and usability to its visitors.
  • URL: https://www.nios.ac.in/accessibility-statement.aspx

10. S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research

  • Focus: They are committed to ensure that the SPJIMR website is accessible to all users irrespective of device in use, technology or ability. It has been built with the aim of providing maximum accessibility and usability for its visitors.
  • URL: https://www.spjimr.org/

11. Indian Culture Portal

  • Focus: Indian Culture Portal is committed to ensuring that the Indian Culture Portal is accessible to all users irrespective of device in use, technology, or ability. It has been built with the aim of providing maximum accessibility and usability to its visitors.
  • URL: https://indianculture.gov.in/accessibility-statement

12. Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology (DAIICT)

  • Focus: A Private University Established by The State Government of Gujarat Act website complies with World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 level AA.
  • URL: https://www.daiict.ac.in/

13. Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

  • Focus: It is ensured that the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities website is accessible to all users irrespective of device in use, technology or ability. It has been built with the aim of providing maximum accessibility and usability to its visitors.
  • URL: https://depwd.gov.in/accessibility-statement/

14. BPA (Blind People’s Association India)

  • Focus: The Blind People’s Association (India) is one of the largest NGOs in India working for the entire continuum of services for all categories of Persons with Disabilities.
  • URL: https://bpaindia.org/

15. St Berchmans College

  • Focus: St Berchmans College is the first higher education institution of the Archdiocese of Changanacherry. This institution was founded in 1922. The website of the college is accessible to everyone, whether you are disabled or not.
  • URL: https://sbcollege.ac.in/

Wrapping up

The RPD Act is a progressive piece of legislation that highlights India’s commitment to inclusivity in the digital age. By mandating digital accessibility, the Act ensures that individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to engage independently in online spaces and access critical information and services. While challenges persist, the momentum generated by the Act is a positive step toward a digitally inclusive Indian.

Continued efforts to strengthen implementation, raise awareness, and collaborate across sectors will be vital to realizing a future where digital accessibility is a fundamental standard, benefiting all members of society equally.

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The rights of persons with disabilities act (RPD) emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive environments. We help businesses comply with accessibility standards through All in One Accessibility® and comprehensive & custom website accessibility remediation services include WCAG manual audit, manual remediation, PDF / document accessibility remediation, consulting, VPAT report / ACT, app accessibility remediation, ongoing monitoring, and support. As it is mandatory to comply with accessibility standards; Government, schools, colleges, universities, banking and financial services, healthcare, retail, ecommerce, public utility companies, and law firms must prioritize accessibility to foster inclusivity and equal access. Reach out [email protected] or request a free quote!

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