CABE Foundation Contributes to National Guidance on Improving First and Last-Mile Accessible Transport for Persons with Disabilities in India

“Making Every Journey Accessible”

Guidance on First & Last-Mile Accessible Transport in India -  A collaborative effort to move accessible mobility from policy intent to implementation

The Centre for Accessibility in Built Environment (CABE) Foundation is pleased to announce launch of its collaborative contribution to the “Guidance Document on Improving First and Last Mile Accessible Transport for Persons with Disabilities in India,” developed under the Sustainable Urban Mobility – Air Quality, Climate Action and Accessibility (SUM-ACA) project of GIZ India.

The guidance document brings together research, stakeholder consultations, user experiences, accessibility expertise and international good practices to address a critical but often overlooked component of inclusive mobility—the accessibility of the first and last mile of a person's journey.

CABE Foundation contributed its expertise in inclusive mobility, accessibility and universal design to this important initiative, with Mr. Subhash Chandra Vashishth, accessibility expert and representative of CABE Foundation, serving as an author of the guidance document.

CABE is honoured to have collaborated with GIZ India and the SUM-ACA project on this work and looks forward to the guidance being taken forward by the concerned stakeholder ministries, government agencies, transport authorities, urban local bodies, mobility operators and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

GIZ India’s SUM-ACA Project: Advancing Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Mobility

The guidance forms part of the broader objectives of GIZ India's Sustainable Urban Mobility – Air Quality, Climate Action and Accessibility (SUM-ACA) project under the Green Urban Mobility Partnership (GUMP) between India and Germany..

SUM-ACA recognises that sustainable urban mobility cannot be achieved without addressing accessibility and inclusion. For persons with disabilities, the accessibility of the overall journey is determined not only by the accessibility of a metro system, bus or railway station, but also by the often-overlooked connections that take a person from their home to the public transport network and from the network to their final destination.

Through the SUM-ACA project, GIZ India has supported work aimed at strengthening the accessibility dimension of urban mobility and developing practical guidance for stakeholders responsible for planning, designing, regulating and delivering transport services.

The resulting guidance on first- and last-mile accessible transport is intended to help bridge the gap between policy commitments and implementation on the ground.

CABE Foundation’s Role in the Guidance

CABE Foundation's contribution to the guidance reflects its continuing engagement in advancing accessibility, universal design and inclusive built environments in India.

Mr. Subhash Chandra Vashishth, representing CABE Foundation, was one of the authors/contributors to the guidance document. His contribution brought an accessibility and disability-inclusion perspective to the development of recommendations concerning accessible transport infrastructure, vehicles, services and the broader journey chain.

The collaboration also reflects CABE Foundation's approach of bringing together technical accessibility expertise and the lived experiences of persons with disabilities when developing recommendations intended for practical implementation.

For CABE, participation in the SUM-ACA initiative is particularly significant because transport accessibility sits at the intersection of several areas in which accessibility needs to be addressed together—including the built environment, vehicle design, public infrastructure, digital platforms, service delivery and regulatory frameworks.

A Guidance Document for Policymakers, Transport Stakeholders and OEMs

The guidance document is intended to serve as a practical reference for stakeholders involved in making first- and last-mile transport more accessible.

It examines barriers faced by persons with disabilities and provides recommendations relating to:

• Accessible pedestrian infrastructure and streetscapes
• First- and last-mile connectivity
• Accessibility of autos, e-rickshaws and taxis
• Accessible vehicle design and factory-built accessible vehicles
• Collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
• Accessibility certification mechanisms
• Driver and transport-staff sensitisation and training
• Accessible digital mobility platforms
• Institutional and inter-ministerial coordination
• Accessibility auditing and monitoring
• Greater participation of persons with disabilities in transport planning

A key message emerging from the guidance is that accessibility must be considered across the entire journey chain rather than being addressed as an isolated feature of individual transport modes.

From Accessible Infrastructure to Accessible Vehicles

The guidance also highlights the importance of greater engagement with India's automotive and mobility industry.

Rather than relying predominantly on post-purchase modifications, the guidance encourages the development of factory-built accessible vehicles and greater integration of accessibility into vehicle design and manufacturing.

This presents an important opportunity for OEMs to incorporate universal design principles at the product-development stage and develop mobility solutions that are accessible to a broader range of users.

For persons with disabilities, accessible vehicle design can mean greater independence, safety and dignity. For the wider population, inclusive design can make transport easier to use for older persons, people with temporary mobility limitations, families travelling with children and other passengers who may benefit from improved usability.

Making the Entire Journey Accessible

For a person with a disability, accessibility does not begin at the entrance of a metro station or when boarding a bus.

It begins at the doorstep.  An inaccessible footpath, unsafe crossing, inaccessible auto-rickshaw, unsuitable e-rickshaw, inaccessible booking application or lack of information can break the journey chain even when the primary public transport system itself is accessible.

This is why first- and last-mile accessibility is fundamental to achieving truly inclusive urban mobility.

We look forward to seeing the recommendations move beyond the guidance document and into policy, procurement, vehicle design, infrastructure planning and implementation, helping make accessible mobility a practical reality for persons with disabilities across India.

CABE Foundation Looks Forward to Wider Adoption

CABE Foundation believes that the real impact of this guidance will come through its adoption and implementation by the relevant stakeholders.

We look forward to the guidance being considered and taken forward by concerned Ministries of the Government of India, State Governments, urban local bodies, transport authorities, public transport agencies, mobility service providers and OEMs.

We particularly hope that the recommendations will encourage stronger institutional coordination, adoption of appropriate accessibility requirements, development of accessible vehicle solutions and systematic accessibility assessment of transport systems.

We also hope that the guidance will contribute to greater convergence between India's disability rights framework, accessibility standards, transport regulations and urban mobility programmes.

Acknowledgements

CABE Foundation is proud to have contributed to this important initiative led under GIZ India's SUM-ACA project, and acknowledges the collaborative effort that has gone into bringing together research, stakeholder perspectives and accessibility expertise in the guidance document.

We gratefully acknowledge GIZ India and the SUM-ACA team for the opportunity to contribute to this important initiative, and thank Mr. Manjunath Shekhar, Director Sustainable Urban Mobility and Dr. Shirish Mahendru (Project Advisor), GIZ India for their leadership and co-authors Ms. Prerna Jain and Ms. Parul Sharma for collaboration.

We also thank the peer reviewers—Mr. Tom Rickert, Ms. Vaishnavi Jaikumar and Ms. Anjlee Agarwal—for their valuable inputs and review.

CABE's contribution was led by Mr. Subhash Chandra Vashishth,  as Author, whose accessibility expertise informed the guidance and reviewed by Mr. Tom Rickert- the Chief Editor of CABE bi-annual Newsletter- Inclusive Transportation Around the World.

Read the Guidance Document

Guidance Document on Improving First and Last Mile Accessible Transport for Persons with Disabilities in India

The guidance document is available for policymakers, transport authorities, OEMs, accessibility professionals, researchers, organisations of persons with disabilities and other stakeholders working towards inclusive mobility.

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About CABE Foundation

The CABE Foundation (Centre for Accessibility in Built Environment) works towards advancing accessibility and universal design across the built environment, information and communication technologies, transport and other areas affecting the everyday participation and independence of persons with disabilities.

Through accessibility auditing, professional capacity building, technical advisory, research and stakeholder engagement, CABE Foundation works with government and other organisations to promote the implementation of accessibility standards and inclusive design principles.

Keywords: Accessible Transport in India, First Mile Accessibility, Last Mile Accessibility, Accessible Mobility, Persons with Disabilities, Universal Design, Accessible Vehicles, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, E-Rickshaw Accessibility, Accessible Public Transport, OEM Accessibility, Inclusive Mobility, GIZ India, CABE Foundation, Accessibility Standards, Transport Accessibility, Disability Inclusion, Accessible Urban Mobility

SEBI Digital Accessibility Compliance: Accessibility Audit for SEBI Regulated Entities by IAAP certified auditors

SEBI Digital Accessibility Compliance: Why SEBI-Regulated Entities Need an Accessibility Audit

Digital accessibility is now a regulatory compliance requirement for SEBI-regulated entities, not simply a matter of good design or corporate social responsibility.

SEBI has issued a framework requiring regulated entities to make their investor-facing digital platforms accessible to persons with disabilities, in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the applicable accessibility standards and guidelines.

For entities covered by the SEBI framework, this includes digital platforms such as websites, mobile applications and investor portals.

What Does SEBI Require?

SEBI's digital accessibility framework requires regulated entities to take a structured approach to accessibility, including:

• Identification of investor-facing digital platforms;
• Appointment of IAAP-certified accessibility professionals for accessibility audits;
• Accessibility audits of digital platforms;
• Usability testing involving persons with disabilities;
• Remediation of accessibility findings;
• Compliance with applicable WCAG, GIGW, IS 17802 and RPwD Act requirements; and
• Annual accessibility audits of digital platforms.

SEBI has also clarified that responsibility for ensuring the accessibility of a digital platform remains with the regulated entity, including where the platform is developed or provided by a third-party or SaaS vendor.

October 31, 2026: The Current Extended Deadline

SEBI's July 31, 2026 circular extended the timeline for conducting accessibility audits and completing remediation of audit findings to October 31, 2026. Importantly, the extension does not change the underlying accessibility requirements; the other provisions of the digital accessibility framework continue to apply.

For SEBI-regulated entities that have not yet completed their audit, this makes the immediate priority clear: audit, remediate and document compliance.

What Should a SEBI Accessibility Audit Cover?

A meaningful accessibility audit should go beyond automated scanning.

Depending on the platform, an accessibility assessment may include:

• Keyboard-only navigation;
• Screen-reader compatibility;
• Headings, landmarks and semantic structure;
• Forms, labels, instructions and error messages;
• Colour contrast and visual presentation;
• Focus management and keyboard interaction;
• Links, buttons and interactive controls;
• Tables, charts and dynamic financial information;
• Authentication and multi-step investor journeys;
• PDFs and other downloadable documents;
• Mobile application accessibility;
• Responsive and reflow behaviour;
• Accessibility of notifications, alerts and dynamic content; and
• Usability testing with persons with disabilities.

Automated accessibility tools are useful for identifying certain technical issues, but they cannot by themselves establish meaningful accessibility. Manual testing, assistive-technology testing and user testing are essential components of a robust accessibility assessment.

Why Choose CABE Foundation for SEBI Accessibility Audits?

The Centre for Accessibility in Built Environment (CABE) Foundation provides professional accessibility assessment and compliance support across digital environments.

CABE's digital accessibility work is led by IAAP-certified accessibility professionals, with experience in evaluating websites, applications and digital interfaces against recognised accessibility standards.

Our approach combines:

Automated Testing + Manual Accessibility Testing + Assistive Technology Testing + User/Usability Testing + Remediation Guidance

The objective is not simply to produce a list of WCAG errors. We help organisations understand what prevents a person with a disability from completing an important task and what needs to be changed to remove that barrier.

Accessibility for Financial Services: Compliance and Investor Inclusion

For SEBI-regulated organisations, accessibility has a direct connection with investor participation.

An inaccessible trading interface, investment form, KYC journey, disclosure document or investor portal can create barriers to accessing financial information and services.

Digital accessibility therefore supports both regulatory compliance and inclusive investor access.

It also makes financial platforms easier to navigate, understand and use for a wider range of users.

CABE's SEBI Accessibility Audit Approach

CABE can support SEBI-regulated entities through the accessibility compliance lifecycle:

1. Platform Review
Identify websites, mobile applications, portals and other investor-facing digital platforms within the audit scope.

2. Accessibility Audit
Conduct technical, manual and assistive-technology testing against applicable accessibility requirements.

3. Usability Testing
Where applicable, include testing with persons with disabilities to identify practical barriers that automated or technical testing may not reveal.

4. Detailed Audit Report
Document accessibility observations, affected components, severity/priorities and recommended remediation.

5. Remediation Support
Work with product, design, development and QA teams to help address identified accessibility barriers.

6. Re-testing and Compliance Evidence
Validate implemented fixes and provide appropriate audit documentation for the organisation's compliance records.

Don't Treat Accessibility as a One-Time Exercise

Accessibility should be incorporated into the digital product lifecycle rather than addressed only before a regulatory deadline.

SEBI's framework provides for annual accessibility audits, making accessibility an ongoing governance responsibility for regulated entities.

Organisations should therefore consider accessibility within:

• New website and application development;
• Procurement and vendor selection;
• Product design and UI/UX;
• Software development and QA;
• Digital document publishing;
• Platform upgrades; and
• Periodic accessibility testing.

Need a SEBI Digital Accessibility Audit?

If your organisation is a SEBI-regulated entity and operates an investor-facing website, mobile application or digital platform, CABE Foundation can assist with an independent accessibility assessment and remediation programme.

Our accessibility audits are conducted by IAAP-certified accessibility professionals, with a focus on practical accessibility, applicable standards and regulatory compliance.

Get in touch with CABE Foundation to discuss your SEBI digital accessibility audit requirements by writing an email to subhash.cabe@gmail.com or info@cabefoundation.com

This article is intended for general information and should not be treated as legal advice. Regulated entities should refer to the latest SEBI circulars and applicable statutory requirements for their specific compliance obligations.

Beyond the Kerb: Why the Supreme Court's Recognition of the Right to Walk Must Transform India's Streets

By Subhash Chandra Vashishth

On 19 June 2026, the Supreme Court of India delivered what may eventually be remembered as one of the most significant judgments on accessibility, inclusion, and the use of public spaces in independent India.

In Maniyar Iliyaz @ Shaik Riyaz & Anr. v. P. Ayyappan & Ors., the Court declared that the right to walk is a fundamental right under Part III of the Constitution and that this right necessarily includes access to safe, well-demarcated footpaths. More importantly, the Court held that the rights of pedestrians are primary and must take precedence over the movement of motorised vehicles.

At first glance, this may appear to be a road safety judgment arising out of a tragic motor accident involving the death of a five-year-old child. However, the Court has done something far more profound. It has reframed the conversation about roads and public spaces—from infrastructure for vehicles to infrastructure for people.

The judgment acknowledges a truth that persons with disabilities, older persons, children, women, and ordinary pedestrians have long experienced: India's roads are designed for machines, not for human beings.

Walking: The First Freedom Guaranteed by the Constitution

At the heart of the Supreme Court's judgment lies a deceptively simple constitutional insight: before there were vehicles, there were pedestrians.

Article 19(1)(d) of the Constitution guarantees that "all citizens shall have the right to move freely throughout the territory of India." For decades, public authorities interpreted this right primarily through the lens of motorised movement. Roads were designed to move vehicles faster and farther, while the most basic and universal form of mobility—walking—was neglected.

The Supreme Court has now corrected this historical imbalance.

The Court recognised that the right to move freely under Article 19(1)(d) is, first and foremost, the right to walk. It held that this right is "inextricably connected to life" and must be read alongside Articles 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b), 19(1)(c), and Article 21. The freedom to express oneself, assemble peacefully, associate with others, access public spaces, participate in civic life, and pursue opportunities for education, employment, and recreation all begin with the ability to move safely and independently.

As the Court rightly observed, the right to walk precedes the right to move on wheels. A safe, continuous, and accessible footpath is therefore not an amenity or an urban design feature—it is a constitutional necessity.

For persons with disabilities, this recognition carries special significance. The freedom to move is meaningful only when it can be exercised independently and with dignity. A footpath interrupted by open drains, parked vehicles, utility poles, broken surfaces, or inaccessible crossings effectively deprives many persons with disabilities of their constitutional right to movement.

The Court's declaration shifts the conversation from traffic engineering to constitutional rights. Roads are not merely corridors for vehicles; they are public spaces where citizens exercise their fundamental freedoms.

Walking in India's Collective Memory

The Supreme Court's judgment is remarkable for recognising that walking is not merely a physical activity but an essential part of India's social, cultural, spiritual, and political heritage.

The Court observed that walking has long shaped the Indian imagination and has served as a means of devotion, social reform, political mobilisation, and community building.

From the vibrant tradition of Nagar Sankirtan, where communities reclaim public spaces through collective singing and walking, to the centuries-old Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage, where thousands walk together in an expression of equality and shared faith, walking has been a powerful force for social cohesion.

The annual Kanwar Yatra demonstrates the enduring role of walking in religious expression and public participation. Mahatma Gandhi's historic Dandi March transformed a simple act of walking into one of the most powerful symbols of resistance against colonial rule. Vinoba Bhave's Bhoodan Movement, undertaken largely on foot across more than 70,000 kilometres, mobilised communities around the ideals of social justice and equitable land distribution.

These examples remind us that walking is more than movement from one place to another. It is an act of expression, association, assembly, and participation in public life.

Yet contemporary India has created public spaces that make walking difficult, unsafe, and, in many cases, impossible.

The contradiction is stark. We celebrate the legacy of padayatras and processions while simultaneously designing roads that exclude pedestrians.

The Supreme Court's judgment challenges us to reconcile our infrastructure with our constitutional values and cultural traditions.

From Compensation Claim to Constitutional Transformation

The Court's response to the tragedy before it is equally significant.

What began as an appeal arising from a motor accident compensation claim involving the death of a five-year-old child evolved into a broader constitutional inquiry into the rights of pedestrians.

Recognising the systemic nature of the issue, the Court directed the Registry to re-number the matter as a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution under the title, "Re: Fundamental Right to Walk and Footpath."

The Court further impleaded the Government of India, through the Ministries of Housing and Urban Affairs, Rural Development, and Road Transport and Highways.

This procedural step is extraordinary. It signals that the Court does not view the absence of pedestrian infrastructure as an isolated governance failure but as a continuing violation of fundamental rights requiring structural reform.

By converting an individual compensation dispute into a continuing constitutional proceeding, the Court has ensured that the issue of pedestrian rights remains under judicial scrutiny until systemic solutions are developed.

The Court has also called for the creation of a comprehensive statutory framework to recognise pedestrian rights, identify duty bearers, establish accountability mechanisms, provide effective remedies, and create a dedicated regulatory structure.

This marks a decisive shift from treating pedestrian deaths as isolated accidents to recognising them as the consequence of preventable failures in planning, design, governance, and implementation.

The Missing Sidewalk Crisis

Across India, roads are routinely planned, funded, constructed, and inaugurated without any meaningful pedestrian infrastructure.

Whether in metropolitan cities, district headquarters, peri-urban areas, small towns, or villages, the pattern remains strikingly similar: roads are widened, carriageways expanded, flyovers constructed, and traffic speeds increased, while footpaths remain absent, discontinuous, encroached upon, or unusable.

Even where footpaths exist, they often serve purposes other than walking.

Electric poles, transformer boxes, utility chambers, parking spaces, garbage dumps, advertising boards, vendor stalls, and construction material occupy pedestrian spaces with impunity. Footpaths frequently disappear at intersections, end abruptly without warning, or are blocked by parked vehicles.

In many parts of the country, the so-called pedestrian pathway is nothing more than a slab placed over an open drain.

This design choice reveals a troubling mindset: pedestrian infrastructure is not viewed as an independent public asset deserving investment and protection but as residual space left over after accommodating motorised traffic.

The absurdity of this approach is visible across our streets, where narrow slabs covering deep drains are labelled as footpaths and warning boards caution pedestrians to "walk carefully" because of the danger beneath them.

Imagine navigating such a path with a white cane.

Imagine crossing it in a wheelchair.

Imagine guiding a child along it.

Imagine being an older person with limited balance.

The Supreme Court's judgment compels us to ask an uncomfortable question: if these spaces cannot be used safely and independently by all citizens, can they truly be called footpaths?

Accessibility Begins at the Front Door

For persons with disabilities, inaccessible pedestrian infrastructure is often the first and most significant barrier to inclusion.

A person using a wheelchair may never reach the accessible entrance of a building because there is no accessible route leading to it. A person with visual impairment may find tactile paving interrupted by parked vehicles, open drains, or vendor stalls. A person with limited mobility may simply decide that leaving home is not worth the physical risk.

As a result, inaccessible pedestrian infrastructure transforms disability into dependence. It prevents access to education, employment, healthcare, justice, recreation, public transport, and community life.

The consequence is not merely inconvenience—it is exclusion. This exclusion is equally severe in semi-urban and rural India, where roads are often constructed without any consideration for pedestrian movement. Ironically, communities that rely most heavily on walking are the least likely to have safe walking infrastructure.

Children walk to schools along highways without shoulders or footpaths. Older persons access health centres by walking on carriageways shared with fast-moving vehicles. Persons with disabilities are effectively confined to their homes because there is no safe route connecting them to the outside world.

The right to walk cannot stop at city limits.

The Hidden Cost of Car Dependency

The absence of pedestrian infrastructure affects everyone.

Across India, parents increasingly feel compelled to hire school transport or use private vehicles merely to drop and pick up children from schools located less than a kilometre away.

A journey that should be a safe and healthy walk becomes a daily logistical challenge.

This forced dependence on motorised transport contributes to traffic congestion, air pollution, fuel consumption, and rising household expenses. It also deprives children of the well-established physical, social, and developmental benefits of walking.

Walking is not simply a means of movement. It promotes health, social interaction, independence, and community participation.

Yet our streets actively discourage it.

The irony is difficult to ignore in a country where Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March transformed the simple act of walking into a powerful instrument of social and political change. The freedom movement recognised the transformative power of walking. Our urban planning systems, however, have systematically marginalised it.

Standards Exist. Implementation Does Not.

India does not suffer from a lack of standards.

The country already has detailed guidance on pedestrian infrastructure and accessibility through the Indian Roads Congress guidelines, the Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India, the Model Building Bye-Laws, state street design manuals, and municipal policies. Delhi's street design guidelines, for example, emphasise continuous, obstruction-free, universally accessible footpaths.

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, imposes statutory obligations to ensure accessibility in the built environment.

The problem, therefore, is not the absence of standards. It is the absence of accountability.

Roads continue to be opened to the public without ensuring that pedestrian infrastructure is simultaneously planned, designed, constructed, and maintained.

No road should be considered complete unless it includes safe, continuous, and accessible pedestrian facilities.

The Judiciary Has Been Warning Us for Years

The Supreme Court's latest judgment did not emerge in isolation.

In S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India, the Supreme Court recognised the importance of unobstructed and disability-friendly footpaths and issued directions for pedestrian safety. The Court has continued to monitor compliance with those directions.

The judiciary has repeatedly highlighted the lived realities of pedestrians and persons with disabilities.

The Bombay High Court, while hearing High Court on its Own Motion v. State of Maharashtra, took serious note of inaccessible footpaths, obstructions, and barriers affecting persons with disabilities. The Court questioned authorities about the absence of accessible infrastructure and directed them to demonstrate concrete measures for improving access.

In separate proceedings concerning pedestrian accessibility, the Court emphasised that footpaths cannot be treated as dumping grounds for infrastructure such as bollards, utility boxes, and other obstructions that render them unusable for wheelchair users and persons with visual impairments.

The Delhi High Court has similarly adopted a practical approach by asking engineers and officials responsible for street design to experience first-hand the barriers created by inaccessible footpaths, including by navigating them using wheelchairs.

Most recently, the Karnataka High Court issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure on universal accessibility, extending accessibility obligations across public and private establishments and emphasising accessibility as a fundamental right rather than a matter of charity or discretion.

The message across jurisdictions is becoming impossible to ignore: accessibility is not optional.

Streets Must Belong to People

The Supreme Court has recognised that the right to walk is not a secondary convenience but the first freedom of movement guaranteed by the Constitution. The conversion of this case into "Re: Fundamental Right to Walk and Footpath" under Article 32 reflects the scale and urgency of the challenge before the nation. The question is no longer whether India can afford to invest in accessible pedestrian infrastructure. The real question is whether India can afford not to.

Every road built without a safe, continuous, and universally accessible footpath imposes hidden costs on society—in lost opportunities, reduced workforce participation, declining public health, increased dependence, and diminished human dignity. A nation aspiring to become a global economic leader cannot continue to confine millions of persons with disabilities, older persons, children, and pedestrians to their homes because it failed to build infrastructure for walking.

The Supreme Court has reminded us that roads belong first to people, not vehicles. The task before governments, planners, engineers, and local authorities is now clear: every road must begin with the pedestrian, because every journey begins on foot.

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Accessibility in Banking and Financial Services : A New Era of Compliance and Accountability

By Subhash Chandra Vashishth

The Indian financial sector is witnessing a significant shift in the way accessibility and disability inclusion are being viewed and enforced. A series of recent developments—including directions issued by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, the Delhi High Court's intervention in the Visually Impaired Bank Employees Welfare Association (VIBEWA) matter concerning promotion policy of State Bank of India vis a vis visually impaired officers, and a detailed order of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) concerning Canara Bank—collectively signal the emergence of a stronger compliance and accountability framework for accessibility in banking and financial services.

These developments make it increasingly clear that accessibility is no longer a matter of corporate goodwill or voluntary inclusion. It is now being treated as a legal, constitutional, and governance obligation.

Finance Ministry Reiterates Accessibility Obligations

On 3 June 2026, the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, issued a communication to the Reserve Bank of India, IRDAI, PFRDA, State Bank of India, LIC, NABARD, all Public Sector Banks, Public Sector Insurance Companies, and several financial institutions.

The Ministry noted that references and complaints were continuing to be received regarding non-compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the RPwD Rules, 2017, and accessibility standards notified by DFS, particularly concerning physical and digital accessibility for persons with disabilities.

The communication reminded institutions of their obligations under the accessibility standards notified for the banking, insurance, pension and financial sectors during 2024, as well as the mandatory non-negotiable ICT accessibility standards issued in September 2025. Institutions were also directed to periodically review their systems, infrastructure and policies relating to accessibility and undertake corrective measures wherever required.

The issuance of yet another reminder by the Ministry is itself significant. It reflects a growing recognition within government that the existence of legal standards alone is insufficient and that active monitoring and implementation are necessary to ensure compliance.

Accessibility Is About Employees Too

Accessibility discussions in banking frequently focus on customers. However, recent proceedings in Ravinder Jadhav V. Canara Bank, before the Court of  Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities demonstrate that accessibility obligations extend equally to employees with disabilities.

In proceedings involving Canara Bank, the CCPD examined a range of issues affecting employees with disabilities, including accessibility of internal HRMS and employee portals, provision of assistive technologies such as JAWS screen-reading software, accessibility of workplace infrastructure, grievance redress mechanisms, transfer policies, and implementation of reasonable accommodation measures.

The proceedings highlighted an often-overlooked reality: inaccessible internal systems can exclude employees just as effectively as inaccessible customer-facing services exclude customers.

Accessibility must therefore be viewed as a workplace issue as much as a customer service issue.

Delhi High Court Reinforces Equality in Career Advancement

The Delhi High Court recently considered concerns raised by the Visually Impaired Bank Employees Welfare Association (VIBEWA) regarding promotional opportunities available to visually impaired employees in State Bank of India. This issue is covered by our DRI initiative at link: VIBEWA Judgement 29 May 2026.  

The Court directed SBI to review its promotion framework and consider alternative pathways that would enable employees with visual disabilities to advance in their careers. The Court emphasized that employees with disabilities should not face discrimination in matters relating to promotion and career progression.

This intervention is important because it reinforces a fundamental principle of the RPwD Act: disability inclusion cannot stop at recruitment. Equal opportunity must extend throughout an employee's career, including training, assessment, promotion and leadership opportunities.

The judgment reflects a growing judicial willingness to scrutinize institutional practices that may have the effect of excluding persons with disabilities from advancement opportunities.

CCPD's Canara Bank Order: Accessibility as a Condition for Equality

Perhaps the most significant recent development is the detailed order passed by the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in a matter involving Canara Bank.

The dispute arose when a visually impaired employee was transferred from an accessible branch to another branch where the route to the workplace required crossing a hazardous area involving an open drain and unsafe pedestrian access. The employee contended that the location was inaccessible and unsafe, making it impossible for him to report for duty safely.

After examining photographic evidence and considering the circumstances, the CCPD concluded that the branch failed to provide a barrier-free environment and that the conditions posed a serious navigational hazard for a person with visual impairment.

Importantly, the CCPD observed that accessibility cannot be confined to the building itself. The route to the workplace, surrounding environment, pedestrian pathways, and practical usability of the workplace are all integral components of accessibility.

The order recognizes a reality often ignored in accessibility assessments: a building cannot be considered accessible if persons with disabilities cannot safely reach it.

Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodation as Constitutional Imperatives

The CCPD's order is particularly noteworthy for its reliance on recent constitutional jurisprudence.

Referring to the Supreme Court's decisions in Rajive Raturi v. Union of India and S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India, the Chief Commissioner emphasized that accessibility is not merely a statutory requirement but an integral component of the rights to life, dignity, equality and freedom of movement guaranteed under the Constitution.

The order further observed that accessibility and reasonable accommodation are structural prerequisites for equality. When barriers prevent a person with disability from effectively accessing a workplace, the promise of equal opportunity becomes illusory.

In a significant observation, the CCPD stated that the workplace must be viewed not merely as a physical building but as an integrated landscape that must be barrier-free if equal employment opportunities are to be meaningful.

This reasoning represents an important evolution in disability rights jurisprudence and aligns closely with the social model of disability embodied in the RPwD Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Accessibility Audits Are Becoming Enforcement Mechanisms

Another important feature of the CCPD's order is its recommendation that Canara Bank undertake a formal accessibility audit through auditors empanelled by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and submit an Action Taken Report within a prescribed timeline.

The order also indicated that failure to comply could attract proceedings under the RPwD Act.

This reflects a broader trend across sectors. Accessibility audits are increasingly evolving from voluntary assessments into compliance and accountability mechanisms.

Financial institutions would therefore be well advised to view accessibility audits not as one-time exercises but as essential governance tools for identifying barriers, managing risks, and ensuring legal compliance.

Connecting the Dots

When viewed together, the DFS circular, the Delhi High Court's intervention in the VIBEWA matter, and the CCPD's Canara Bank order reveal a remarkably consistent policy direction.

The Ministry of Finance is directing institutions to review infrastructure, systems and policies for accessibility.

The Delhi High Court is ensuring that disability does not become a barrier to career advancement.

The Chief Commissioner is emphasizing that inaccessible infrastructure and inadequate accommodation can undermine the constitutional guarantee of equality in employment.

Each intervention addresses a different aspect of accessibility, yet all converge on a common principle: persons with disabilities must be able to access, use and participate in financial institutions on an equal basis with others.

The Road Ahead

For many years, accessibility within the financial sector was often treated as a matter of customer service, corporate social responsibility, or welfare. The recent developments demonstrate that this approach is no longer sufficient.

Accessibility is increasingly being recognized as a matter of legal compliance, institutional governance, human rights, and constitutional responsibility.

Banks, insurance companies, pension institutions and financial regulators must now move beyond policy statements and focus on implementation. This requires accessible infrastructure, accessible digital platforms, effective grievance redress mechanisms, reasonable accommodation for employees, regular accessibility audits, and continuous monitoring of compliance.

The direction of policy is unmistakable. India is entering a new era in which accessibility is becoming a core operational requirement for the financial sector. Institutions that embrace this shift proactively will not only comply with the law but will also help build a truly inclusive financial ecosystem for millions of persons with disabilities.

CABE Conducts another 3-Day Basic Accessibility Auditor Training for a batch of 50 Dy. Architects at NCA during 16-18 March 2026

New Delhi, 18 March 2026

Building Capacity for Accessible and Inclusive Built Environments

A group photo of the participants with Faculty

The Centre for Accessibility in Built Environment (CABE) Foundation conducted another 3-day Basic Accessibility Auditor Training Programme at the National CPWD Academy (NCA), New Delhi, during 16–18 March 2026, as part of the Foundation Training programme for Deputy Architects.

The programme was designed to build practical capacity among architects to understand, assess and address accessibility barriers in buildings and the built environment. At the conclusion of the programme, 50 professionals successfully qualified the rigours of training and were certified as Basic Accessibility Auditors.

The programme builds upon CABE's continuing engagement in capacity building and professional training in accessibility and universal design. CABE had earlier conducted similar Basic Accessibility Auditor programmes at NCA, including programmes that created trained cadres of basic accessibility auditors within the Central Public Works Department.

From Standards to Practical Accessibility Auditing

The training adopted a combination of classroom instruction, practical exercises, simulations, sample accessibility audits, problem-solving exercises and formal assessment.

Rather than limiting the programme to an understanding of accessibility standards, the participants were encouraged to examine how accessibility requirements translate into actual buildings and spaces and how barriers can be identified and addressed through practical solutions.

The training covered key areas including:

• Legal and policy framework governing accessibility and the rights of persons with disabilities;
• Principles of Universal Design and accessibility;
• Understanding disability, appropriate terminology and disability etiquette;
• Indian accessibility standards and their application to buildings and the built environment;
• Accessible approach and entrance routes, circulation and movement spaces;
• Ramps, stairs, lifts and other vertical circulation elements;
• Accessible toilets and other essential facilities;
• Parking, signage, wayfinding and other accessibility features;
• Identification of physical barriers and accessibility gaps;
• Practical methods for conducting an accessibility audit;
• Developing appropriate and technically feasible solutions to identified barriers; and
• Documentation and reporting of accessibility observations.

Learning Through Practical Audits and Simulations

A key feature of the programme was its hands-on approach.

Participants undertook practical exercises and sample audits to apply the principles discussed during the classroom sessions. Through these exercises, they were required to observe existing conditions, identify accessibility barriers, assess their impact on persons with different disabilities and work towards appropriate solutions.

Simulation exercises further helped participants appreciate accessibility from the perspective of persons with disabilities and understand how seemingly minor design features or physical obstructions can significantly affect independent and safe use of a building.

The programme also incorporated problem-solving exercises and participant presentations, providing an opportunity for the trainees to analyse accessibility issues, develop solutions and communicate their findings.

Assessment and Certification

The training concluded with a formal written examination and assessment of the participants' understanding of accessibility principles, standards and audit practices.

Following successful completion of the programme, 45 Deputy Architects were awarded Basic Accessibility Auditor Certificates.

The certification represents an important step in developing professional capacity within the public works and architectural system and enabling trained professionals to contribute to the identification and removal of accessibility barriers in the built environment.

Strengthening the Accessibility Ecosystem

Accessibility of the built environment is fundamental to ensuring that persons with disabilities can participate equally in education, employment, healthcare, public services and community life.

While accessibility standards and statutory requirements provide the necessary framework, their effective implementation depends significantly upon professionals who can translate those requirements into practical design, construction, inspection and remedial measures.

Training architects and other built-environment professionals as accessibility auditors therefore plays an important role in strengthening implementation and mainstreaming accessibility into the planning and development of buildings in line with Hon'ble Prime Minister's push to Accessible India Campaign.

The successful certification of 5o professionals through this programme adds another group of trained professionals to India's growing accessibility ecosystem.

CABE's Continuing Commitment to Capacity Building

CABE Foundation remains committed to strengthening professional knowledge and institutional capacity in the areas of accessibility, universal design and disability inclusion.

Through training programmes, accessibility audits, technical advisory work, research and standards development, CABE continues to support the creation of built environments that are accessible, inclusive, safe and usable by all.

Glimpses from the Training Programme

Theory and Classroom Sessions
Participants engaged in interactive classroom sessions covering accessibility principles, legal requirements, standards and practical applications.

Practical Accessibility Audits

The trainees conducted sample audits and examined buildings and facilities from an accessibility perspective.

Simulation Exercises

Simulation-based activities helped participants understand barriers experienced by persons with different disabilities.

Problem Solving and Presentations

Participants worked through accessibility challenges, proposed solutions and presented their observations and recommendations.

Written Examination

A formal written assessment was conducted to evaluate the participants' understanding of the course content.

Group Photograph

The programme concluded with the certification of the successful participants and a group photograph with the faculty and programme team.

CABE Foundation at the International Conference on “Redefining Abilities – Towards a Vision for Inclusive and Empowered Living” [03-05 November 2025]

The International Conference on “Redefining Abilities – Towards a Vision for Inclusive and Empowered Living” was held from November 3–5, 2025, at the India International Centre, New Delhi. The conference was organised by Amar Jyoti Charitable Trust, New Delhi, in collaboration with Rehabilitation International, New York.

The three-day event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders — including policymakers, academics, professionals, practitioners, organizations of persons with disabilities, and innovators — to explore pathways towards building an inclusive and empowered society for all.

The conference aimed to promote inclusive innovation, cross-sectoral collaboration, and rights-based frameworks that empower persons with disabilities, particularly women and youth, as active contributors in education, employment, governance, social and cultural activities, and technology.

Conference Themes

Discussions during the conference revolved around four core sub-themes:

1. Emerging paradigms in inclusive education

2. Accessible rehabilitative initiatives

3. Advocacy and policies

4. Empowerment of women and youth with disabilities

The sessions also addressed the need to integrate research, policy, and practice through multi-stakeholder engagement to ensure that inclusion becomes central to social and economic development.

CABE Foundation’s Participation

CABE Foundation was privileged to be actively associated with this international event. Our Executive Director, Mr. T.D. Dhariyal, served on the Organising Committee and chaired several sessions throughout the conference.

One of the key sessions chaired by Mr. Dhariyal featured Mr. Hiroshi Kawamura, Vice President of Rehabilitation International, who delivered an insightful presentation on “Digital Inclusion vs Digital Divide: Why Universal Design is Crucial.”

Fig. Prof Joseph Kwan, VP Asia Pacific, Rehabilitation International & past VP Hong Kong Institute of Architects;  Mr. TD Dhariyal, ED CABE Foundation; Mr Jitender Tuli and participants in the conference.

Mr. Dhariyal’s leadership and participation reflected CABE Foundation’s ongoing commitment to advancing universal accessibility, inclusive policy design, and empowerment through participation and innovation.

Impact and Takeaways

The conference provided a dynamic platform for meaningful dialogue, research exchange, and collaboration between global and national actors in the disability sector. It highlighted the importance of shared learning and collective action in building a resilient, equitable, and participatory society that upholds the principles of accessibility and sustainable development.

By facilitating the exchange of best practices, innovative approaches, and policy insights, the conference contributed to the broader mission of creating a more inclusive India — one where persons with disabilities are at the centre of planning, design, and decision-making.

CABE Foundation congratulates Amar Jyoti Charitable Trust led by Dr. Uma Tuli and Rehabilitation International for hosting this impactful conference and we reaffirm our own commitment to fostering accessibility, equality, and dignity for all.

CABE contributes to the 6th Capsule Course on National Building Code: 'Accessibility in Buildings and Built Environment' conducted at the NITS

15 May 2025, New Delhi

The 6th Capsule course on National Building Code : Accessibility in Buildings and Built Environment was held during 13-14 May 2025 at National Institute of Training for Standardization, Noida, India (the training arm of the Bureau of Indian Standards). 

The  two day in person course was lead by leadership of CABE Foundation who also are contributing to the standardization on Accessibility as members on several technical committees of BIS and currently engaged in revision of the NBC 2025.

These capsule courses are designed to provide in-depth knowledge of the code's provisions on accessibility and universal design and their practical applications for ensuring barrier free buildings and built environment. See the course module in PDF 706KB

Key Highlights of the Training Course:

• Certificate of Participation: All participants received a certificate of participation upon completion of the course.
• Practical Insights: The training module included insights of regulatory framework, detailed coverage of provisions relating to accessibility in NBC 2016 as well as revisions being made in the Code and the concerned Indian Standard in line with the advancements made in this field nationally and internationally.
• Faculty: Esteemed members involved in the concerned technical committees of BIS.

Visuals from the Training

Here are some visuals from the course:

Invitation for the next Capsule Course during 13-14 May 2025 on "Accessibility in Buildings & Built Environment" in National Building Code, at NITS Noida

Dear Accessibility Enthusiasts,

As a part of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) celebrations, CABE is happy to announce and extend this invitation to all interested individuals and organizations for the 6th Capsule course scheduled during 13-14 May 2025 at the NITS Noida. Course will be lead by leadership of CABE Foundation who also are contributing to the standardization on Accessibility as members on several technical committees of BIS and currently engaged in revision of the NBC.

Needless to mention that Universal design or barrier-free design of built environment is essential for ensuring that all individuals, regardless of ability, can use buildings safely and comfortably. These features benefit everyone, including those with temporary impairments or needing assistance. Accessibility promotes inclusivity, independence, and usability, enhancing overall convenience and compliance to Persons with Disabilities Rules.  

This capsule course is designed to provide in-depth knowledge of the code's provisions on accessibility and universal design and their practical applications for ensuring barrier free buildings and built environment. 

Key Highlights of the Training Course:

• Certificate of Participation: All participants will receive a certificate of participation upon completion of the course.
• Practical Insights: The training module includes insights of regulatory framework, detailed coverage of provisions relating to accessibility in NBC 2016 as well as revisions being made in the Code and the concerned Indian Standard in line with the advancements made in this field nationally and internationally.
• Faculty: Esteemed members involved in the concerned technical committees of BIS.

Course Name: Two-Day Capsule Course on National Building Code of India 2016 - Accessibility in Buildings and Built Environment 

Dates: 13-14 May 2025

Mode: Classroom/ Physical

Venue: National Institute of Training for Standardization, Noida (Google Map)

Registration: To Register for the course use the link:  REGISTER HERE

Training Fee: A nominal fee of INR 1500/- plus 18% GST.  

Target Audience:  Buildings Professionals such as Architects, Engineers, Town Planners, Builders and Developers, officials of Town and Country Planning Departments, Development Authorities, Municipal Corporations, Urban Local Bodies, State Housing Boards, State PWDs, Accessibility Auditors, Access Inspectors, and all those concerned with city planning, building regulation, and planning, design, construction and maintenance of buildings and built assets and facilities, concerned faculties, students pursuing related subjects

This is an excellent opportunity to deepen the understanding of the NBC provisions on accessibility for persons with disabilities and the elderly. This would certainly help in meeting the mandates under The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 and the Accessible India Campaign.

In case of any further query, kindly write an email to the Course coordinator, at nits@bis.gov.in or write to us at info@cabefoundation.com

Course Module cum Schedule: