The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is responsible for the development agenda of persons with disabilities in India. With a vision to create an inclusive society that provides equal opportunities for the growth and development of persons with disabilities, the department celebrated the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) with the theme of “inclusion.” The department, along with 80 associated institutes and organizations, conducted various events at more than 80 locations across the country, with approximately 15,000 participants.
GAAD is observed on the 3rd Thursday of May every year and aims to raise awareness and promote discussions about digital accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. In line with the purpose of GAAD, the DEPwD organized activities to make technology accessible and usable for persons with disabilities. These activities included the distribution of aids and assistive devices, poster making, quiz competitions, rallies, awareness and sensitization sessions, public awareness programs, seminars, webinars, virtual job fairs, and special audio-video and radio programs.
Experts from the field of technology accessibility, academicians, industry leaders, and policymakers were involved in these events. Persons with disabilities, including experts in digital accessibility, also participated, sharing their challenges and experiences. The celebration and awareness generation of GAAD by the department is a national-level initiative that brings together stakeholders from multiple locations in India to share knowledge, experiences, and ideas related to digital and technological accessibility. It strengthens the confidence and collaboration among institutions, promotes the sharing of best practices, and aims to ensure that persons with disabilities have a first-rate digital experience on the web.
The DEPwD’s celebration of GAAD reflects its commitment to enable persons with disabilities to participate as independent and productive members of society, ensuring their inclusion and access to technology.