Persons with disabilities have often been neglected and excluded from the various plans, schemes and campaigns of the Government. A case in point is the SMART Cities Mission that has hardly any mention of accessibility for persons with disabilities. More importantly, with technology being the cornerstone of the SMART Cities initiative, the already existing digital divide will only grow further if it is not made inclusive for persons with disabilities. India which is home to an estimated 70-100 million people with disabilities and an increasing number of people acquiring disabling conditions due to old age should stop viewing disability as an isolated issue. Following a holistic approach, all aspects of the SMART Cities Mission should be made accessible for persons with disabilities.
Source: Making SMART Cities Accessible for Persons with Disabilities – Eclectic Northeast
