Session
Organizer 1: Kanjilal Arpita, Digital Empowerment Foundation
Speaker 1: Osama Manzar, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: Yousuf Mohammad, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Mira Swaminathan Mira Swaminathan, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 4: Moumita Barman, Private Sector, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 5: Suresh Ram Ravidas, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 6: Kanjilal Arpita, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: Yousuf Mohammad, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Mira Swaminathan Mira Swaminathan, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 4: Moumita Barman, Private Sector, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 5: Suresh Ram Ravidas, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 6: Kanjilal Arpita, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Moderator
Kanjilal Arpita, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Online Moderator
Mira Swaminathan Mira Swaminathan, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Rapporteur
Moumita Barman, Private Sector, Asia-Pacific Group
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: 60-Minute Roundtable Workshop: This session explores digital accessibility for PwDs, presenting research findings, policy recommendations, and grassroots entrepreneurship models. Session Structure 1. Opening Remarks (5 mins) Dr. Arpita Kanjilal (DEF) introduces the panel, session theme, and key reports. 2. Report & Policy Brief Presentation (10 mins) - "ICT for Empowering Accessibility & Inclusion" – Presented by Ms. Mira Swaminathan (BIF). - "DPDP Act 2023 & Digital Accessibility" – Presented by Ms. Moumita Barman (CDPP). 3. Participant Reflections & Discussion (30 mins) - Scaling assistive technologies and inclusive digital ecosystems. - Strengthening policies and DPDP Act implications. - Digital accessibility in education and employment. - Entrepreneurship and ICT adoption for PwDs. 4. Engagement & Call to Action (15 mins) - Interactive discussion with online and onsite attendees. - Key takeaways and public-private collaboration for inclusive digital ecosystems.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: 60-Minute Roundtable Workshop: This session explores digital accessibility for PwDs, presenting research findings, policy recommendations, and grassroots entrepreneurship models. Session Structure 1. Opening Remarks (5 mins) Dr. Arpita Kanjilal (DEF) introduces the panel, session theme, and key reports. 2. Report & Policy Brief Presentation (10 mins) - "ICT for Empowering Accessibility & Inclusion" – Presented by Ms. Mira Swaminathan (BIF). - "DPDP Act 2023 & Digital Accessibility" – Presented by Ms. Moumita Barman (CDPP). 3. Participant Reflections & Discussion (30 mins) - Scaling assistive technologies and inclusive digital ecosystems. - Strengthening policies and DPDP Act implications. - Digital accessibility in education and employment. - Entrepreneurship and ICT adoption for PwDs. 4. Engagement & Call to Action (15 mins) - Interactive discussion with online and onsite attendees. - Key takeaways and public-private collaboration for inclusive digital ecosystems.
Policy Question(s)
A. How can digital policies and regulatory frameworks be strengthened to ensure accessibility and meaningful socio-economic inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the last mile?
B. How can the principles of data protection and digital privacy be balanced with the need for accessibility to ensure PwDs are not excluded from digital services and opportunities, and can fully participate as rightful citizens?
C. How can governments, private sector players, and civil society collaborate to develop inclusive, affordable and accessible assistive technologies and digital ecosystems that break systemic barriers to digital skilling, employment, and entrepreneurship for PwDs?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Attendees, both online and onsite, will gain a deep understanding of Digital Disability Inclusion, learning critically about policy frameworks, assistive technologies, and grassroots entrepreneurship models that enhance accessibility and socio-economic empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
What Participants Will Gain:
- Insights & Research: Findings from a pan-India study on digital accessibility for PwDs.
- Policy Knowledge: Understanding the DPDP Act 2023 and its implications for digital accessibility.
- Actionable Strategies: Policy recommendations and best practices for scaling digital accessibility.
- Real-World Applications: Successful models of digital entrepreneurship empowering PwDs.
- Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: The role of public-private partnerships in driving digital inclusion.
By the end of the session, participants will leave with new perspectives, practical and contextualised solutions, and a roadmap for building inclusive digital policies for PwDs through community-informed, sustained and collaborative engagement across diverse public and private sectors.
SDGs
Description:
This Roundtable Workshop explores the critical role of digital accessibility and assistive technologies in ensuring equal and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in the digital economy. It will shed light on national and international efforts while incorporating grassroots empirical insights from a pan-India study involving over 300 PwDs changemakers. Discussions will delve into the current legal and policy landscape governing the digital ecosystem, informed by the study’s findings. The study examines the multi-dimensional impact of digital integration through Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the role of localized digital service providers in fostering digital and socio-economic inclusion for PwDs from diverse communities and regions. Additionally, participants will critically analyze the "digital by design" approach adopted in the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, emphasizing the need for a citizen-centric, bottom-up approach to policymaking. This approach ensures that PwDs are recognized as key stakeholders in crucial aspects such as data ownership, data privacy, accessible redressal mechanisms, consent rights, and decision-making. The Roundtable Workshop will present key findings, policy recommendations, grassroots entrepreneurship models, and multi-stakeholder collaborations that can help shape a just, meaningful and truly inclusive digital future for PwDs in India.
This Roundtable Workshop explores the critical role of digital accessibility and assistive technologies in ensuring equal and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in the digital economy. It will shed light on national and international efforts while incorporating grassroots empirical insights from a pan-India study involving over 300 PwDs changemakers. Discussions will delve into the current legal and policy landscape governing the digital ecosystem, informed by the study’s findings. The study examines the multi-dimensional impact of digital integration through Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the role of localized digital service providers in fostering digital and socio-economic inclusion for PwDs from diverse communities and regions. Additionally, participants will critically analyze the "digital by design" approach adopted in the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, emphasizing the need for a citizen-centric, bottom-up approach to policymaking. This approach ensures that PwDs are recognized as key stakeholders in crucial aspects such as data ownership, data privacy, accessible redressal mechanisms, consent rights, and decision-making. The Roundtable Workshop will present key findings, policy recommendations, grassroots entrepreneurship models, and multi-stakeholder collaborations that can help shape a just, meaningful and truly inclusive digital future for PwDs in India.
Expected Outcomes
This session will generate policy recommendations based on the pan-India studies "ICT for Empowering Accessibility & Inclusion: The Impact of Digital Integration on the Lives of PwDs" & "Inputs on Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 Rules for Digital Accessibility." These recommendations will be submitted to relevant ministries to enhance digital accessibility and ensure socio-economic inclusion of PwDs.
DEF will further its advocacy through localized digital entrepreneurship programs for PwDs, leveraging its 2000+ Communication Information Resource Centers (CIRCs). The Samarth SoochnaPreneur (Self-reliant Digital Entrepreneurs) program plays a pivotal role in equipping PwDs with digital tools, skills, and opportunities, enabling them as community-based digital service providers. By offering localized training, assistive technologies, and mentorship, these entrepreneurs bridge digital divide, delivering e-governance services, financial literacy, and digital inclusion initiatives. Insights from this session will refine and scale the model for greater accessibility, economic empowerment, and meaningful participation of PwDs in digital economy.
Hybrid Format: To enhance hybrid engagement, we will ensure the following:
1. Attendees, whether participating in person or virtually, can submit questions in real-time. Speakers will be able to view these inquiries and incorporate their responses and insights into their discussions in the last 15 mins of the Session.
2. Split-Screen Format: Providing balanced visibility for both in-person speakers and online participants.
3. We will ensure that our digital presentation is shared with online attendees with AI-generated live captions.
4. Use clear, simple language and avoid jargon where possible.
5. Complimentary online tool: QR Codes for resources will be ensured, enabling attendees to scan and access case studies, policy briefs, and DEF’s research reports effortlessly.
6. Encourage inclusive participation by allowing text or voice submissions.