DEPwD Partners with Gujarat NGO to Enhance Accessibility Training

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) has signed an MoU with the Gujarat-based NGO EnableMe Access Association (EMA) to advance training programs focused on accessibility. The collaboration will develop and maintain accessibility software tools, support the Accessible India Campaign 2.0, and provide specialized training for engineers and auditors.

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) has partnered with Gujarat-based NGO EnableMe Access Association (EMA) to advance training programs on accessibility. The MoU, signed on July 9, aims to create more inclusive spaces for people with disabilities.

The initial training programs, 'Advanced Training in Accessibility,' target empanelled accessibility auditors and Central Public Works Department engineers. The programs cover Indian accessibility standards, universal design perspectives, and the National Building Code and Harmonized Guidelines and Space Standards (HGSS). The training will be available in offline, online, and hybrid formats, with instructors who have disabilities to offer firsthand insights and foster empathy.

To support these initiatives, DEPwD and EMA will develop and maintain software tools for accessibility education. These tools aim to build capacity among various stakeholders, aligning with the Accessible India Campaign 2.0 and enhancing the Sugamya Bharat Application. EMA will also contribute to the Accessible India Campaign 2.0, providing action plans for infrastructure improvement and advising on app enhancements.