Why in the news?

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

Sugamya Bharat App

  • What is it?:
    • Sugamya Bharat App is a flagship initiative launched under the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan).
    • It is dedicated to enhancing accessibility for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities) and elderly citizens across India.
  • Launched by: Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
  • Objective:
    • To create a citizen-led platform for promoting accessibility in public spaces, transportation, and digital services.
    • Aims to make India’s physical and digital environments inclusive, barrier-free, and universally accessible.
  • Key Features:
    • Accessibility Mapping Function:
      • Enables users to locate and rate public places (such as offices, parks, transport hubs) based on accessibility parameters.
      • Promotes community-driven data collection and participatory monitoring of accessibility standards.
    • Consolidated Directory:
      • Acts as a single-window digital platform integrating information about Government schemes, Scholarships and benefits as well as Employment and skilling opportunities for Divyangjan.
      • Reduces the need to visit multiple government portals.
    • Curated Job and Education Listings:
      • Provides job and education opportunities curated from both public and private sectors.
      • Supports inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce and education system.
    • Grievance Redressal Module:
      • Allows users to register complaints on inaccessible infrastructure or services directly through the app.
      • Complaints are routed to concerned authorities, fostering accountability and responsive governance.
    • Inclusive Design:
      • Compatible with assistive technologies (like screen readers and voice navigation).
      • Available in 10 Indian languages to ensure wide accessibility.
      • Optimized for both Android and iOS platforms.
    • AI-Powered Chatbot (Revamped Feature): A recent update added an AI chatbot for real-time user assistance, guidance on schemes, and quick information retrieval.
  • Significance:
    • Strengthens the goals of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, aligning with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
    • Encourages participatory governance by empowering citizens to identify and resolve accessibility barriers.
    • Enhances digital inclusion and data-driven policymaking for accessible infrastructure.