Imagine a young woman in a wheelchair trying to enter a local government office but finding only stairs. Or a farmer in rural India struggling to read a bank’s website because it’s not in his language. These are everyday realities for millions. Accessibility isn’t just about ramps or braille—it’s about ensuring everyone, regardless of ability, age, or background, can use services without barriers.
In today’s world, inclusivity is paramount. Organisations and businesses are striving to create an inclusive environment, with accessibility taking centre stage. Here’s how Indian organisations can make their spaces, websites, and systems inclusive for all.
How organisations can make services accessible to everyone
1. Fix physical spaces first
Problem: Buildings without ramps, narrow doors, or poor lighting exclude many.
Solution:
- Build ramps: A simple ramp costs as little as Rs. 20,000. A café in Mumbai added one and saw more elderly visitors and parents with strollers.
- Widen doors: Make doorways at least 36 inches wide for wheelchairs.
- Add tactile paths: Raised tiles help visually impaired people navigate train stations or parks.
2. Make digital tools user-friendly
Problem: Websites or apps without text-to-speech or captions shut out millions.
Solution:
- Add alt text: Describe images for screen readers. For example, “A girl in a red sari holding a folder.”
- Use captions and sign language: A Karnataka health portal added sign language to COVID-19 videos, helping 50,000+ deaf viewers.
- Simplify language: Avoid jargon. Use “submit” instead of “proceed to finalise”.
3. Train staff to be supportive
Problem: Employees often don’t know how to assist people with disabilities.
Solution:
- Teach basic skills: Train staff to guide blind customers or use sign language for “thank you” or “help.”
- Hire diversely: A Delhi tech firm hired deaf coders. Their unique problem-solving boosted team creativity.
4. Offer information in simple formats
Problem: Complex forms confuse people with learning disabilities or low literacy.
Solution:
- Use visuals: Banks in Kerala use flowcharts with icons (e.g., a tractor for farmer loans).
- Provide audio guides: Museums like Delhi’s National Gallery describe exhibits through free audio apps.
5. Make help affordable
Problem: Hearing aids or wheelchairs are too costly for many.
Solution:
- Partner with innovators: A Chennai NGO worked with students to create braille printers for Rs. 5,000 (vs. Rs. 2 lakh commercially).
- Subsidise costs: Offer discounts on wheelchairs for low-income families.
6. Talk to the users and understand their problems
Problem: Organisations design solutions without consulting those who need them.
Solution:
- Host feedback sessions: A Pune hospital lowered reception counters after wheelchair users struggled to reach them.
- Work with NGOs: Partner with groups like the National Association for the Blind for audits.
7. Use technology wisely
Problem: Sophisticated tools can confuse non-tech users, making it difficult to use cutting-edge tech.
Solution:
- Voice commands: A Rajasthan post office lets seniors track parcels by speaking.
- Multilingual apps: Offer options in regional languages like Tamil or Marathi.
8. Create clear accessibility policies
Problem: Most organisations lack goals for inclusivity.
Solution:
- Set targets: Aim for “100% wheelchair-friendly branches in 3 years”.
- Follow laws: Use the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016) as a guide.
How NBFCs can help
Small businesses or NGOs often lack funds for accessibility projects. Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) can offer loans with easy terms. For example, a school in Gurugram borrowed from an NBFC to build sensory rooms for autistic children—calm spaces with soft lights and textures.
Online platforms spread solutions
Online platforms can connect people with affordable tools. A Coimbatore startup sells bamboo hearing aids online at half the market price. Villagers in Odisha now buy these through local cyber cafes, overcoming distance and cost barriers.
How you can contribute to bring about a change
Sometimes, we may not take the initiative, believing we cannot offer any substantial help. However, it is important to remember that even the smallest contributions can prove to be the catalyst for change. Here’s what you can do to create a change today.
- Start small: Fix flickering lights or add a Rs. 500 ramp mat.
- Talk to users: Ask disabled employees or customers for feedback.
- Collaborate: Partner with colleges for low-cost innovations.
Final word: Accessibility helps everyone
When a bank adds ramps, it helps pregnant women and seniors too. When a website adds captions, it aids non-native speakers. Creating an inclusive environment, whether in physical setups or on digital platforms, is crucial to ensure everyone, regardless of their capabilities, can enjoy the same opportunities. To this end, institutions can rely on NBFCs to apply for loans and avail of the required finances. With financial institutions funding projects and online marketplace delivering tools, change is possible.