Government Launches Revamped ‘Sugamya Bharat App’

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, launched the revamped ‘Sugamya Bharat App’ during the Purple Fest held in Goa.

Vision and Objective:

• The app is envisioned as India’s digital accessibility hub, designed to bring information, government schemes, and essential services to the fingertips of persons with disabilities.
• It aims to advance the vision of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) by leveraging technology to build an inclusive and barrier-free society.

Design and Development:

• Redesigned with a user-first and accessibility-first approach.
• Developed with the support of the SBI Foundation, and in technical partnership with:
  • National Association for the Blind (NAB) Delhi
  • Indian Science Technology and Engineering facilities Map (ISTEM)
  • Mission Accessibility

Key Features:

• Screen reader compatibility for visually impaired users.
• Voice navigation for hands-free use.
• Multi-language support to ensure inclusivity across linguistic groups.
• Accessibility mapping function that allows users to:
  • Locate and rate public places (buildings, facilities, etc.) on accessibility parameters.
  • Contribute data to community-led mapping of accessible spaces.

Significance:

• The revamped app is a first-of-its-kind, one-stop digital platform dedicated to accessibility and inclusion.
• It empowers persons with disabilities to actively participate in assessing and improving accessibility in their communities.
• Represents a major step toward realizing a digitally inclusive India, ensuring that no user is left behind in the nation’s progress.