First ICT Sub-group Meeting as per Hon'ble SC Directions

[Muskan Bhatia]

Dear all,

I am Muskan, profoundly Deaf and born to Deaf parents. Through my experiences, I and my parents faced many barriers that have highlighted the gaps in accessibility. These challenges have given me a deeper understanding of what needs to change and inspired me to share solutions that can not only help the Deaf community but also promote inclusion for everyone with disabilities. Here are my ideas on ICT for accessibility, shared from a Deaf perspective:

1. Improved Closed Captions:
Closed captions should be enhanced by color-coding speech and background sounds separately, with distinct captions for each. This will help Deaf viewers fully understand both dialogue and contextual audio cues, such as music or sound effects.

2. Real-Time Emergency Alerts in Elevators:
Elevators should include a QR code linking to an app with sign language content. The app would provide information for emergencies like power cuts, fire situations, or being stuck in the elevator.

Most Deaf individuals understand Indian Sign Language (ISL).
Some Hard of Hearing individuals may not know ISL but can understand English.
Both ISL videos and English text options should be included.
The app must work offline to ensure accessibility in all situations.
Example:

Elevator Emergency Assistance
What type of emergency are you experiencing?

Power Outage (With ISL video)
Fire Emergency (With ISL video)
Stuck in Elevator (With ISL video)
Sign Language Instructions for All Products and Services:
QR codes should be used on products and services to provide instructions translated into sign language. This ensures that Deaf individuals can access and understand important information independently.

3. For all products and services, there should be QR code instructions translated into sign language to ensure that Deaf individuals have the right to access and provide information.

4. Smart Wearables with Haptic Feedback:
Smart wearables should use haptic feedback, such as vibrations or flashing lights, to alert Deaf individuals about train arrivals, metro notifications, or other critical updates in real time.

I would love to hear your feedback or explore ways to make these ideas a reality.

Best regards,
Muskan Bhatia

[Bhavani Shankar R]

Dear Muskan,

Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences. Your dedication to addressing accessibility challenges for the Deaf community is commendable and reflects a genuine commitment to inclusion. I appreciate the practical solutions you’ve outlined, and I would like to contribute my thoughts to further refine and implement these ideas effectively continuing from my previous responses:

1. Better Closed Captions:

The best suggestion in my view is to improve closed captions by adding color-coded speech and background sounds. To implement it, we could suggest that it be included in national broadcasting standards and media guidelines. Moreover, collaboration with OTT platforms and broadcasters can accelerate the implementation of this method.

2. Real-Time Emergency Alerts in Elevators:

One other innovative application would be to make use of QR codes linked to sign language resources. This feature, then, could be integrated with the accessibility compliance package provided by elevator manufacturers and facility management services. We may also organize a nationwide awareness campaign to inform building administrators of the required features.

3. QR Code Instructions for Products and Services

Translating key information into ISL and incorporating it into QR codes ensures the Deaf community can be independent. To achieve this, I suggest that there should be a central repository of ISL translations for common products and services, which can be distributed to manufacturers and service providers, thus making its use widespread.

4. Smart Wearables with Haptic Feedback:

The potential of smart wearables is immense. Partnering with tech companies to design prototypes tailored to Deaf users can fast-track development. Additionally, exploring government grants or private funding to subsidize such devices would make them more accessible to the community.

As a member of this committee, I propose we take the following actions:

- Organize a collaborative session with stakeholders such as tech companies, ISL interpreters, and product developers to outline a roadmap for implementation.

- Seek government support to mandate these initiatives as part of the Accessible India Campaign.

- Monitor progress through a periodic review mechanism to ensure sustainable development.

Your ideas are transformative, and I would be happy to help make them a reality.

Let's work together to build an accessible environment that benefits the Deaf community and others :)

Best regards,

Bhavanishankar Ravindra PhD

National award winner as a role model with disabilities 2017

[Muskan Bhatia]

Dear Dr. Bhavanishankar,

Thank you for your thoughtful insights and support. Your ideas, especially around closed captions, QR codes, and smart wearables, are practical. I fully agree with your proposed next steps, particularly collaborating with stakeholders and engaging government support through the Accessible India Campaign.

I’m excited to work with you to bring these solutions to life.

Best regards,
Muskan Bhatia

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[Harish]

Hi everyone

It looks, we are drifting. I suppose our mandate is to identify which activities are non negotiable and not seek solutions.

Moderators pl throw light.

Harish Kotian

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[Bhavani Shankar R]

On Wed, Jan 22, 2025, 16:19 Harish <hp.k...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi everyone

It looks, we are drifting. I suppose our mandate is to identify which activities are non negotiable and not seek solutions.

Moderators pl throw light.

Dear Harish,

Yes negotiable and non negotiable action items should be identified as per today's discussion, but having said that, there's no harm in seeking solutions in  parallel I guess, as we are all working towards a common cause in the medium to long term. That is to make our country more accessible in the future with respect to daily life.

So, whilst the primary focus and goal remains on the action items discussed in today's meeting, the longer term picture would and should focus on implementation and solutions in my view :)

Dear Muskan,

Thanks, We can take this up in parallel and I will reach out to you regarding elaborate solution oriented approach regarding the same with a long term perspective.

Best regards,

Bhavanishankar Ravindra PhD 

National award winner as a role model with disabilities 2017.

[Amar Jain]

This is right.

Prescription of what is non-negotiable is our mandate at the moment.

Regards,

Amar Jain

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[Bhavani Shankar R]

On Wed, Jan 22, 2025, 18:33 Amar Jain <amar...@amarjain.com> wrote:

This is right.

Prescription of what is non-negotiable is our mandate at the moment.

Thanks Amar,

So as discussed earlier on this list,

My initial list of non negotiable items were the below 

1.Legal Enforcement and Monitoring to Be Improved

The GIGW needs to be updated as soon as possible and to incorporate in detail non-web ICT components.

Enforce all the above through strict monitoring so that even minimum compliance cannot take place without penalization.

Use of IS17802, WCAG 2.1 is the bare minimum 

2. Widening Consumer Products Accessibility

The tactile identification markers or embossed markings to identify consumer products without difficulty.

Develop adaptive packaging technologies that are easier to open and manipulate, taking into account the fine motor skill impairments.

3. Improve Digital Payment Systems

POS devices should be accessible to all by including voice guidance and providing tactile feedback.

QR code payment systems should be optimized for screen readers and accessible to users with visual impairments.

4. Improve Transportation Accessibility

Accessible interfaces for public transportation systems, such as tactile maps and accessible apps for scheduling and navigation.

Mandate the inclusion of ramps, elevators, and auditory and visual notifications in public transport vehicles.

5. Neurodiversity Focus

Include considerations for neurodiverse individuals in ICT standards, particularly around simplification of instructions, customizable interfaces, and predictable navigation flows.

6. Banking and Financial Accessibility

Address the limited guardianship issue for account access and ensure legal frameworks support inclusive practices.

Automate cheque clearance systems with accessible user guidance and verification steps.

7. Enhance Employment Accessibility

Encourage assistive technologies in the workplace, including voice-to-text systems, ergonomic equipment, and accessible software.

Offer tax breaks to companies that have implemented accessibility measures for employees with disabilities.

8. Assistive Technology Ecosystem

Promote the development and use of affordable assistive devices, such as screen readers, braille displays, and speech recognition tools in regional languages.

Create a national repository of assistive technologies for easy access and dissemination.

9. Universal Accessibility in Education

Ensure e-learning platforms are accessible with captioning, transcripts, sign language support, and alternative input methods.

Provide schools and colleges with accessible infrastructure, adaptive lab equipment, and learning materials.

10. Public Awareness and Training

Provide extensive training to the public and private sectors in implementing and maintaining accessibility standards.

Run campaigns that raise awareness of the need for accessibility in daily products and services

11. Integrate UDID in Banking 

Take steps to integrate UDID in banking sector so that Bank services are easily accessible and Digital KYC and the bank staff are sensitised to handle persons with disabilities 

12. Create a national repository for ISL so that it can facilitate training of the concerned stakeholders and can be used in implementation too

Others can comment on the same and add their views too regarding what is non negotiable.

Regards,

[Muskan Bhatia]

Dear Bhavanishankar,

Thank you for sharing this detailed list. I fully support these priorities and appreciate the focus on enforcement, digital accessibility, and inclusion.

I’d like to suggest additional points focusing on Deaf accessibility, including ISL recognition in legal frameworks, ISL-integrated banking and digital payment support, real-time ISL announcements in public transport, and mandatory ISL training for customer-facing professionals. Additionally, a national ISL repository and structured ISL-based support for neurodiverse individuals would further enhance accessibility.

Please let me know if you would like me to provide further details on any of these areas or if there are any other points you would like to discuss.

Looking forward to your feedback.

Best regards,
Muskan

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[Pinky Gupta]

Hi All,

As a person with visual impairment, I would like to highlight some points which are a barrier to my independent living and data security.

As an independent individual, when I go  to malls for shopping, I face challenges in identifying the price, brand, offer price, size etc. due to which, I have to either depend on people in the mall or request someone to escort me for shopping.

Most difficult part is, when I have to make the payment, and if I want to use credit or debit cards, it is challenging for me because all the swiping machines are inaccessible.

In this situation, either I have to give my card to them for swiping and tell my password or I should not use the card at all.

I am afraid of any misuse with my card details and even there is a threat of misplacing the card.

Even after knowing there is some benefit in my card, I cannot use that due to this issue.

Finally, I end up scanning the barcode and pay through UPI apps.

[Bhavani Shankar R]

On Mon, Feb 3, 2025, 13:45 Muskan Bhatia <muskan...@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Bhavanishankar,

Thank you for sharing this detailed list. I fully support these priorities and appreciate the focus on enforcement, digital accessibility, and inclusion.

I’d like to suggest additional points focusing on Deaf accessibility, including ISL recognition in legal frameworks, ISL-integrated banking and digital payment support, real-time ISL announcements in public transport, and mandatory ISL training for customer-facing professionals. Additionally, a national ISL repository and structured ISL-based support for neurodiverse individuals would further enhance accessibility.

Please let me know if you would like me to provide further details on any of these areas or if there are any other points you would like to discuss.

Dear Muskan,

Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful suggestions. I completely agree with the additional points you’ve raised, especially regarding Deaf accessibility. Recognizing ISL in legal frameworks and integrating it into banking, digital payments, and public transport systems would be significant steps toward creating a more inclusive society. Your proposal for mandatory ISL training for customer-facing professionals and the establishment of a national ISL repository are also crucial for fostering a more inclusive environment for everyone, including neurodiverse individuals.

I’m eager to explore any of these areas further and would appreciate any additional details you can provide. Your suggestions are incredibly valuable, and I look forward to working with you and the team to advance these initiatives.

Best regards,  

Bhavani Shankar

[Bhavani Shankar R]

Dear Pinky,

Familiar territory here with strong long sightedness plus cerebral palsy

Well, whenever I go to the shopping malls, key issues such as how much I am paying for, brand, size, etc, and special discounts or offers prove difficult for me to figure out, so generally, people have to assist me or get an escort that can help me in the shopping.

But it is the toughest when I am required to pay, especially using credit or debit cards. All the swiping machines at any place are inaccessible to me. This situation leaves me with a choice of handing over my card to someone else for swiping along with giving them my password or avoiding its use altogether. This not only violates my right to privacy but also puts me in a risk of getting my card details misused or lost.

All these accessibility and security issues coming with the use of my card have made me not utilize it fully. And I end up scanning barcodes and making UPI payments, which is hardly the solution.

I will give the following solutions to the challenges mentioned above.

1. Accessible Payment Machines: I ask businesses and service providers to deploy accessible swiping machines that should have audio instructions, tactile interfaces, or voice prompts, where customers with visual impairments could independently use their credit/debit cards safely.

2. Card Authentication Methods: Introducing alternative card authentication methods like biometric authentication (fingerprint/face recognition) could reduce the need to share sensitive information such as passwords, offering a more secure way for visually impaired individuals to make payments.

3. Education and Training: I would request that the employees of retail and payment outlets are trained on access needs so they can serve their customers with eye conditions in a safe and respectful manner.

4. Accessible Digital Payment Facilities: The further proliferation of secure digital payment platforms like UPI with features catering to the requirements of visually challenged individuals would considerably enhance the safety and independence of persons like myself.

I believe some minor modifications will make all customers feel included and safe in our store, regardless of their disabilities. Your voice on raising these concerns would be a great help.

I look forward to any step forward that could improve accessibility and data security for visually impaired people.

Best regards,

Bhavani Shankar

[Srinivasu Chakravarthula]

I completely agree with you. Since it would be practically not possible deploy all new machines, businesses should ensure their swiping machines accessible. I was told most of these run on Android (hopefully) and if that is true, there should be mechanism to turn on screen reader and/or dark mode as needed. 

I almost stopped using my credit card since the time swiping machines transformed to touch and numbers are not in consistent order. 

Best,

Srinivasu

Regards,

Srinivasu Chakravarthula, CPWA (2018), DHS Trusted Tester

Website | LinkedIn Profile | Follow me on Twitter

Director of Product Accessibility, Freshworks, Inc

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[Arun Koormamtharayil]

Hi,

As an option that works currently, please see if the 'tap' option on credit or debit cards having a chip on them work.

After the billing, at payment time, if you place the card on the card machine, it does authenticate the transaction amount, without having to hand over your card or keying in the PIN. Probably this could be an interim solution.

There is certainly a lot left to be done to make it truly accessible for all.

Regards,

Arun

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[Bhavani Shankar R]

On Tue, Feb 4, 2025, 09:42 Arun Koormamtharayil <akoo...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

As an option that works currently, please see if the 'tap' option on credit or debit cards having a chip on them work.

After the billing, at payment time, if you place the card on the card machine, it does authenticate the transaction amount, without having to hand over your card or keying in the PIN. Probably this could be an interim solution.

Agreed to this but the swipe is only enabled to a certain amount limit due to security reasons which is totally understandable.

Regards,

Bhavani Shankar