On October 11, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) rolled out a new version of the Sugamya Bharat App at the Purple Fest in Goa. The event, held at the ALIMCO stall, was fronted by Rajesh Aggarwal, the department’s secretary, and attended by several senior officials, including Manmeet Kaur Nanda, Richa Shankar, Debolina Thakur, and Praveen Kumar.
The updated app, designed with a “user‑first, accessibility‑first” mindset, aims to be India’s digital hub for people with disabilities. It gives quick, mobile‑friendly access to government schemes, jobs, scholarships, and other services—all in one place. The app works on both Android and iOS and supports screen readers, voice navigation, and many Indian languages.
Key new features include:
- Accessibility mapping – users can find and rate public spaces on how accessible they are, helping the community spot gaps and share data.
- One‑stop directory – read up on every available government benefit or job opening that welcomes candidates with disabilities.
- Targeted listings – the app shows curated education and employment opportunities from both government and private employers.
- Grievance portal – report inaccessible infrastructure or services directly from your phone, holding public spaces accountable.
The app was developed with backing from the SBI Foundation and in partnership with NAB Delhi, ISTEM, and Mission Accessibility. Jagannath Sahu, president of the SBI Foundation, praised the initiative. “Inclusive technology can bridge gaps and unlock the potential of millions,” he said.
The launch drew dignitaries from the SBI Foundation—President Jagannath Sahu and CEO Shashi Bhushan—and leaders from the National Association for the Blind (NAB Delhi), including President P.D. Dahariyal and General Secretary Prashant Ranjan Verma.
Originally part of the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan), the app has evolved into a full‑featured mobile ecosystem. It enables people with disabilities not only to find information but also to help shape India’s accessibility future.
Source: aninews
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
