Inaccessible environment is the biggest challenge for empowerment of persons with disabilities

       Life of persons with disabilities is improved a lot by the availability of assistive technologies. Persons with visual impairment can read and write independently using computer screen reader and screen magnifier software similar to abled body persons. The software can reads any content on computer screen like human being in artificial human voice. They can also able to use touchscreen mobile phones with the use of similar mobile software. They can use the same computer or mobile phones as the able-bodied persons use. Only the difference is they prefer to use keyboard than mouse.  Similarly the screen magnifier software magnifies content on screen for low vision persons. Automatic wheel chair can enable persons with Sever motor disabilities to move around independently.

But these assistive technologies have limitation in smooth functioning due to inaccessible environment. wheel chair cannot move properly on broken footpaths, buildings where there are no proper ramps and elevators. Railway stations, bus stands, airports, buses, trains and aircraft are often inaccessible for wheel chair users. They cannot easily walk down in ATMs, roadside shops, even big mauls due to accessibility barriers. Persons with visual impairment also have to face challenges while walking down on broken footpaths using white cane. They often fumble on drainage man holes, bump on electric poles, protruding branches of trees etc. Unable to understand traffic signals, cross walks, while walking on road.

Assistive technologies like screen reader and screen magnifiers do not function properly if web interfaces providing online services are not designed with the consideration of accessibility standards and regulations.  The screen reader software cannot properly read poorly designed web content, interactive controls etc. They also have difficulties in web navigation as some times all the functionalities are not available to keyboard users.

These challenges are due to non consideration of users with disabilities by Government and corporate organizations while designing their products and services despite of having several laws, standards, guidelines, policies, mandates and directives. Persons with disabilities have to always take partial assistance for online services such as email, social media, E-governance services, e-commerce services and other online services like online banking, movie tickets, bus, train and air tickets  booking, taxi booking etc. despite having assistive technologies. Life of persons with disabilities is so dependent in our country that they never get feeling of living in independent nation.

The stakeholders have mercy approach. Focuses of Government policies are on provision of reservation in academics and jobs, Concession in bus and train fare, education fees and other subsidies etc. Corporate and NGOs also do not have different approach. Instead they can implement accessibility standards and regulations in their services as the services are of no use if they are not accessible.

Stakeholders in this area should understand that all the persons with disabilities are not poor. They can afford products and services if they are accessible and usable to them.

Media Should educate people about persons with disabilities by designing movies, TV shows and showcase how persons with disabilities trying  to be independent using assistive technologies, their accessibility challenges due to inaccessible environment etc rather showing that they have divine power.

Academic institution should provide accessible services instead providing fee concession and accessibility standards and regulations in the syllabus of relevant degree programs.

Software professionals should consider accessibility standards and regulations as a crucial part of their software development if they wish to help persons with disabilities. They can make web services compliant to Web content accessibility guidelines like standards.

Real estate developers or builders should insure that all of their development should comply with ministry of urban development built infrastructure guidelines for disabled and elderly rather than making unusable ramps in few places.

Persons with disabilities should not give importance to reservation, concession and subsidies. Instead they should strongly demand accessible environment as it is their constitutional right.

I would like to bring attention of all the stake holders on this occasion The Global accessibility awareness day  towards challenges due to inaccessible environment for persons with disabilities and measures to be taken to empower persons with disabilities to make them productive citizen of the country by providing barrier free and universal designing of products and services.