Re: DAF's comments on draft access standards for the Transport & Mobility

[Vaishnavi Jayakumar]

Fascinating. Had no idea this existed.

Snigdha, the only reason why we put the audio induction loops as not an immediate non-negotiable is because many hearing aids available in India do not come with T-coil feature. We were unable to find a user to test the audio induction loop at Chennai metro stations, and finally an elderly ally who was buying a hearing aid, ensured he got one with T-coil to help us out.

Could you with your contacts, help with a list of hearing aids available in India, with 2 columns for T-coil and Auracast comparability status. Does govt provide as well, if so let's add those models right on top.

We will need to run an awareness campaign so people buy accordingly so as to be able to leverage these features.

Cc'ing the other facilitators so they can share accordingly with their groups.

This is exciting!

On Wed, 18 Jun, 2025, 22:23 DAFWB, <disabilityact...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Vaishnavi, 

That is a spelling mistake - it will be Auracast not Auracat.

Auracast is a new Bluetooth technology that allows one device to broadcast audio to multiple receivers simultaneously, unlike traditional Bluetooth which is typically one-to-one. It's like choosing a Wi-Fi network, but for audio, allowing users to tune into different audio streams from various transmitters.

Auracast™ broadcast audio will allow you to hear your best in the places you go and is expected to become the next generation assistive listening technology, improving audio accessibility and promoting better living through better hearing.

This is available in India and Auracast is being rolled out globally, with increasing availability in both public spaces and consumer devices. While it's not yet ubiquitous, deployments are happening in various countries across Europe, Asia, and North America, with a projected 2.5 million locations globally by 2030, according to ReSound.

Hope this answers your question. Pls feel free for any further clarification. I am copied this mail to Snigdha as well, she works with deaf people and will be able to respond in case you have any further query.

Best wishes,

Kuhu

On Wed, 18 Jun 2025, 4:36 pm Vaishnavi Jayakumar (Inclusive India), <vaishnavi...@inclusiveindia.info> wrote:

Suggestions: Should be supplemented by display screens and announcement. 

Also use Auracat

🔺What's Auracat?

http://about.me/vjayakumar

On Wed, 18 Jun, 2025, 12:27 DAFWB, <disabilityact...@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Amita Mam & Vaishnavi and all members of national coordination group

Seasons Greeting from Disability Activists Forum, West Bengal. 

This is to share with you all that we at DAF worked on the draft accessibility standards for the Transport & Mobility sector circulated by DEPwD and came up with our comments and suggestions. 

We have submitted that to DEPwD at the mail id - aic-...@gov.in just a while ago. Hope we have submitted the documents in the right mail id.

Kindly find attached the copy of our documents for your information and record. All our comments are marked in red.

With thanks & regards,

Kuhu

On behalf of Disability Activists Forum

[Vaishnavi Jayakumar]

Thanks Snigdha, this information has been very useful. 

Waiting to hear back from DEPwD on what models of hearing aids are distributed via schemes for elderly / disabled. 

Yes, an awareness campaign is required to persuade people to adopt such tech. Auracast has the advantage of mainstream use as well, so will pick up faster. 

Would NISH Kerala have a list of hearing aids, we've been wanting to create an online resource list of hearing aid models available in India for assisted hearing.

http://about.me/vjayakumar

On Fri, 20 Jun, 2025, 13:07 Snigdha Sarkar, <snigdha...@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Vaishnavi,

Greetings!

All hearing aids do not have a T coil facility. Similarly all hearing aids do not have bluetooth either.

But there are hearing aids available which have both, the T coil and bluetooth facility, at the same time.

We should push for those hearing aids. 

Companies like Phonak, Resound, Signia, Starkey, Widex manufacture hearing aids that can have both the above features.

Technologies change and every other day new models of hearing aids are introduced in the market.

I think we should insist on the requirement of T coil and bluetooth technology and implementation of T coil and Auracast in public places across the country.

Auracast can co-exist with T coil technology and may eventually become the dominant technology for assistive listening.

It should be non-negotiable, in my opinion. If people are not using these technologies they either do not know about it or cannot afford it. The Govt. has responsibilities for both.

Thanks & regards,

Snigdha

Warm regards,

Snigdha

Snigdha Sarkar

Anwesha Kolkata 

An association of parents and well-wishers of children and persons with hearing impairment

www.anweshakolkata.org
+918910146356