Social Justice Minister launches MIS portal under Accessible India Campaign

Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot launched a Management Information System (MIS) on September 18, 2019 in New Delhi. The MIS portal has been developed by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for stakeholders of Accessible India Campaign (AIC).

The Management Information System aims to bring all nodal ministries, states and the Union Territories on a common platform to the monitor the progress made against each target of the Accessible India Campaign.

The MIS portal will help maintain all the function on the digital platform and capture real-time data. The portal will be fully accessible for persons with disabilities.

The monitoring of places being made accessible will be more effective when there is a provision of uploading pictures of such features.

Accessible India Campaign: What is it?

Accessible India Campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 3, 2015, on the occasion of the International Day of People with Disabilities.

Accessible India Campaign, which is also known as Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, was launched as a nation-wide campaign for achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

The programme aims to serve persons with disabilities in the country and create an accessible physical environment that benefits everyone, not just persons with disabilities.

The measures undertaken under the programme include eliminating obstacles and barriers in indoor and outdoor facilities including schools, medical facilities, workplaces and transport system.

The places such as footpaths, curb cuts and other obstacles that block the flow of regular pedestrian traffic are also covered under the programme.

What is an accessible building?

An accessible building is one where persons with disabilities face no obstruction or barrier in entering the building and using its facilities. It covers the steps, ramps, corridors, services, entrance gates and emergency exits, parking, toilets, signages and alarm systems.

Under the programme, annual accessibility audits are carried out to determine whether the buildings meet the set standards. Once the building is labeled as fully accessible then it will not require annual audits.