Our Achievements

Due to active advocacy of Samarthyam with government and UN agencies, disability inclusive agenda has gained momentum. There is a paradigm shift in awareness on rights of persons with disabilities and their accessibility needs. Some of the key policy advocacy initiatives pioneered by us are as follows:

• Sustainable Development Goals and implementation in grass root organizations and government departments, 2018-23

• National Accessibility Standards, 2024

Samarthyam’s active advocacy since 2004 with Bureau of Indian Standards have resulted in formulation of first harmonized national standards for the built- environment. The accessibility standards are in line with ISO standards:

• Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly, 2016/ 2021

• National Building Code, 2016

• Civil Aviation Rules, 2014

Samarthyam is Member, Asok Kumar Committee, constituted by Ministry of Civil Aviation and have worked on the amendment of Civil Aviation Rules (CAR) 2012. A report on airport terminals accessibility standards was prepared to ensure Rights of Passengers with Disabilities and Reduced Mobility. The amendments have led to dignified, safe and accessible travel of all passengers by air.

Samarthyam has authored the first handbook on “Air Travel and Sensitization & Training”, published by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and endorsed by Director General of Civil Aviation, Airport Authority of India, airlines, etc., Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India.

• Gender Equality & Parity, partnership with UNSE and CBM, 2014

Preparation of Comparative Matrix of flagship programmes and policies of Government of India and Samarthyam team analysed the same to promote inclusion of persons with disabilities. The findings were shared with WHO and Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India for further action by concerned departments and Ministries.

• National Rural Housing & Habitat Policy, 2007

Organized the State Level (Delhi) Focus Group Discussion on “National Rural Housing and Habitat Policy” to Government of India on 19th Feb 2007; joint venture of Samarthyam, Poorest Areas Civil Society Programme (PACS) supported by Department for International Development (DFID). The objective of the consultation workshop was to provide to the current nationwide discussion process, on the proposed Policy and initiate a dialogue on addressing issues of Universal Design in rural India through mainstream policies.

• Policy Advocacy on Accessible Public Transport Systems, 2006

Samarthyam advocated for National Urban Transport Policy after the first National Conference on “Mobility for All”, held in New Delhi in 2006, thus resulting in the first transport policy in India with inclusive mobility sections.

In 2014, the NUTP was amended again to comply with UNCRPD and The PwD Act 1995 and stipulates universal design and universal accessibility in its preamble.