INDIA: FOR THE DISABLED “Accessible” website is first ever website by any Central Ministry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 jAN 2010 17:39 IST
“The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the first Central Ministry to make its website “Accessible website" and is a significant contribution in addressing the profound social disadvantages faced by the Persons with Disabilities. I am sure other Central Ministries and government departments will soon make their websites Accessible as well”, said Shri Mukul Wasnik, the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment during the launch of the website here today.

He also announced that a separate category of Awards i.e., best website for disableds ( Government, Public and Private Sectors) will be instituted to be given by the President of India on 3rd December, International Day of Disabled Persons. He further added that it is a landmark step to ensure protection of right to information and full participation of Persons with Disabilities in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural spheres with equal opportunities. It is in this spirit that India has signed and ratified United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Shri Prithviraj Chavan, the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, launched the website. He told that a special recruitment drive for disabled is being launched to clear the backlog at the earliest. The Minister of State, Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri D. Napoleon was also present on the launch.

To ensure equality and right to information to Persons with Disabilities, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment being the nodal Ministry for the empowerment of persons with disabilities, has developed the Accessible website through National Informatics Centre Services incorporated(NICSI) especially for persons with disabilities using assistive devices.

The website provides many accessibility features. For example, through the use of assistive technologies persons with visual impairment can use a ‘Screen Reader Software’ which speaks the text that appears on a computer monitor. Persons who have difficulty using a mouse can use ‘Voice Recognition Software’ which enables working on the computer with verbal commands. The website provides features like Iconic learning for mentally retarded and autistic persons, Keyboard support for those with visual or upper limb impairment; Navigation facilitation for those with visual and learning disabilities; Transcripts for audio- video content for the hearing impaired, and changes in colour schemes to name a few. The above accessibility features are also useful for senior citizens.

Secretary IT, Secretary MSJ & E, Special Secretary Administrative Reforms, Additional Secretary were also present on the occasion.

SB/AP