Comprehensive Framework on Services Accessibility – Open for Comments

[Percy Cardozo]

Subject: Comprehensive Framework on Services Accessibility – Open for Comments

Dear Friends,

This is to draw your attention to the Services Accessibility Group (SAC), formed as part of the Supreme Court-mandated accessibility rule-making process following the Hon’ble Court’s directions in WP(C) 243/2005 & WP(C) 228/2006 (Shri Rajive Raturi v. Union of India & Ors.). In compliance with these directives, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DePwD) and NALSAR initiated an Expression of Interest (EOI) to encourage voluntary participation in framing negotiable and non-negotiable accessibility rules under the RPWD Rules, 2017.

Public updates on this initiative: https://accessoversightcommittee.wordpress.com/
Resource repository for this exercise: https://bit.ly/arc-site

All of you expressed your interest in the theme of services and committed to contributing to this effort. Some of you have attended the several meetings we held, while others have engaged with us via email.

Several meetings and deliberations later, we are pleased to share that the Comprehensive Framework on Services Accessibility has been finalized by our working group and will soon be submitted to DePwD for further review.

A heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed to this effort.

This framework establishes key accessibility principles and non-negotiable service standards. While sector-specific annexures (e.g., healthcare, education, legal aid, and disability certification) are still under development, we will share them with you soon. The framework lays the foundation for structured and enforceable accessibility measures across all service domains.

The document is now available online for comments from the larger landscape of stakeholders.
We are attaching a PDF copy of the framework in this email for your review and invite your comments and feedback to further refine and strengthen the document. Your insights are invaluable in ensuring that the framework is both practical and comprehensive.

Access the Google Docs version here: http://bit.ly/sac-services

For any further information or clarifications, you may email me at this ID or reach out on WhatsApp at [9689762903].

We look forward to your valuable input.

With warm regards,
Radhika Alkazi & Percy Cardozo
Facilitators
(SAC-CDS Core Group F-Services)

 

PS: Kindly note that parallel working groups are also developing accessibility frameworks for the Built Environment, Transport & Eco-System, Digital Environment, Assistive Technology, and Products. These groups will share their respective documents separately. This framework pertains specifically to the Services sector.