Tracing the History of Digital Accessibility in India

Apr 2
2 min read

Introduction

Digital accessibility in India has evolved from basic provisions in early disability laws to a comprehensive rights-based framework. This shift emphasizes equal access to information and communication technology (ICT), websites, mobile applications, and digital content for persons with disabilities.

Early Foundations in the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995

The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, served as the first major national legislation. It focused on seven categories of disabilities and included measures for barrier-free environments in public places and institutions. While the Act primarily addressed physical access, it laid out the groundwork by promoting research into assistive devices and requiring appropriate environments for education and employment. It did not contain detailed provisions for digital or ICT accessibility, reflecting the limited digital infrastructure at the time. Enforcement was uneven, and information and communication needs received limited attention.

Influence of UNCRPD Ratification

India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on 1 October 2007. The Convention, adopted in 2006, highlights accessibility as a fundamental principle under Article 9, covering access to information and communications, including ICT and the internet. This ratification prompted a review of domestic laws to align with international standards of dignity, non-discrimination, and inclusion.

Transition to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016

To fulfil UNCRPD obligations, the government enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act), notified on 28 December 2016 and effective from 19 April 2017. The Act expanded recognised disabilities to 21 categories and introduced benchmark disabilities (40 per cent or more) for entitlements.

Chapter V (Sections 40-46) addresses accessibility comprehensively. Section 40 empowers the Central Government to frame rules for standards on the physical environment, transportation, and information and communications, including appropriate technologies. Section 42 specifically mandates that all content in audio, print, and electronic media be provided in accessible formats. It requires audio description, sign language interpretation, and closed captioning where needed. Electronic goods and everyday-use equipment must follow universal design principles. Section 46 further requires government documents and public information in digital form to be accessible.

The Act applies reasonable accommodation and non-discrimination principles to digital services, covering both public and private sectors in key areas.

Launch of the Accessible India Campaign

On 3 December 2015, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) launched the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan). This flagship programme includes a dedicated vertical for information and communication technology. It aims to enhance the proportion of accessible public documents and websites that meet internationally recognised standards, such as those from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The campaign promotes accessible websites, audiovisual media, and sign language interpretation to remove information barriers.

Conclusion

The progression from the 1995 Act’s limited scope to the RPwD Act’s explicit ICT provisions, backed by UNCRPD principles and the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, established digital accessibility as a legal right. Subsequent standards and guidelines have translated these rights into technical requirements for websites, apps, and digital content.