Round Table on Accessibility and Health
September 1, 2025Building an Accessible India: A Blueprint for Inclusion in the AI Age
Bengaluru, India – As India positions itself as a global leader in technology and development, a crucial question is taking center stage: Are we building a future for all 1.4 billion of our citizens? The landmark event hosted by Young Indians (Yi), Bengaluru, at the Global Academy of Technology, addressed this as part of a nationwide dialogue on accessibility.
Beyond Barriers: Toward Real Inclusion
The two-panel discussion brought together policymakers, technologists, corporate leaders, and activists to chart a blueprint for a truly inclusive India. The conversations pushed past the usual narratives of ramps and reservations, focusing on the deep systemic, technological, and cultural shifts needed for genuine equality of opportunity.
The Great Indian Paradox: Progressive Laws, Lagging Realities
A recurring theme was the sharp disconnect between India’s progressive disability legislation and daily realities for its 6 crore disabled citizens. Examples highlighted the 'implementation gap': four-star hotel rooms claimed as accessible but blocked by steps; public bus handles designed out of reach for most women. The root cause is not a lack of engineers, but inadequate investment in user-centered design and foundational mindset change.
Technology: A Double-Edged Sword for Inclusion
The panel explored AI’s dual role. On one hand, AI empowers independence—one panelist’s blind teammate uses an AI wardrobe app for everyday choices; innovations like vision glasses and tactile STEM displays offer new freedom. Yet, concerns abound: AI-generated student assignments challenge academic integrity, and digital-heavy jobs at risk from automation—potentially impacting children with disabilities the most.
One challenge summarized the accessibility dilemma: "How do you deploy solutions requiring terabytes of data on affordable devices? The goal is Agent AI—working offline, on every phone, without costly hardware."
From Policy to Practice: "Nothing About Us, Without Us"
Namma Yatri Purple Rides by EnAble India
- Accessibility built into a mainstream ride-hailing app, co-created with the disabled community (LIME juice framework).
- "Purple Ride" drivers receive instant training on support, proving accessibility is an untapped economic opportunity, not mere charity.
Yes to Access by APD
- Crowdsourced accessibility audits empower citizens and reduce repeated calls to venues.
- 2 lakh+ audits with Young Indians; users can check accessibility of public spaces before visiting.
A Blueprint for Action: From Dialogue to Systemic Change
- Benchmarking Success: Learn from Delhi Metro and London's low-floor bus fleets as scalable accessibility models.
- Reforming Governance: Mandate accessibility engineers in public works to approve every building plan.
- Empowering Citizens: Report failures with the 1533 helpline; contribute to the Yes to Access app—a culture of accountability.
Insights from this dialogue will feed into a national white paper, proposing concrete policy recommendations for the Ministry. The call is clear: move from “reasonable accommodation” to true equality, from policy to rights, and ensure persons with disabilities are represented on all committees and boards shaping the nation’s infrastructure.
Empathy—seeing both visible and invisible barriers—must guide inclusion, so everyone feels valued, included, and empowered.
Esteemed Panelists
Panel 1: Physical Access Beyond Ramps
- Saaksshi Goyal (Moderator), Co-Chair, Accessibility, Yi Bengaluru
- Srinivas Alavilli, Program Senior Fellow, WRI India
- A. Maximin Jos, Program Director, Spastics Society of Karnataka
- Dr. Rajesh MS, CEO, National Association for the Blind, Karnataka
- Bhumika Modh, Head of Policy Research & Collaborations, APD
- Reena Kuttan, Senior System EnAbler, EnAble India
- Vamsidhar Ratakonda, Managing Partner, SV Estates
Panel 2: AI Technology Applications and Impact
- Ameya Karnad (Moderator), Co-Chair, Accessibility, Yi Bengaluru
- Shanthala S, Special Education Teacher, Vividha Trust
- Kaviraj Prithvi, Founder, uDOT
- Vasanth Jain, Chief Engineer, Myelin Foundry
- Bhumika Modh, Head of Policy Research & Collaborations, APD
Building an accessible India is a national imperative—key to unlocking the unfulfilled potential of 6 crore Indians, and the true test of an equitable nation.
