- The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) emphasized a whole-of-government approach to make accessibility an inherent part of governance rather than an afterthought. - Focused on scaling up the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) to eliminate physical, digital, and transport barriers for persons with disabilities (PwDs). - Stressed the importance of universal design principles in infrastructure development, public transport, and digital platforms to ensure inclusive growth and social equity. - Called for active coordination across various ministries and state departments to institutionalize accessibility standards. - **Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign):** A flagship nationwide campaign launched by the DEPwD to create a barrier-free and conducive environment for persons with disabilities across physical, transport, and digital infrastructure verticals. - **Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016:** Landmark Indian legislation that replaced the 1995 Act, expanding recognized disabilities from 7 to 21 and shifting from a welfare to a rights-based framework with job and education reservations. - **Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD):** A nodal department under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment dedicated to policy formulation, implementation, and coordination of rehabilitation and welfare programs for persons with disabilities. - **Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:** The Union Ministry responsible for welfare, social justice, and empowerment policies for marginalized groups including SCs, OBCs, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. **Introduction** The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) has called for a whole-of-government approach to implement the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign), highlighting that accessibility must be a core component of planning rather than an afterthought. The initiative aims to ensure barrier-free environments for persons with disabilities across physical, digital, and transport infrastructure. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) emphasized a whole-of-government approach to make accessibility an inherent part of governance rather than an afterthought. - Focused on scaling up the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) to eliminate physical, digital, and transport barriers for persons with disabilities (PwDs). - Stressed the importance of universal design principles in infrastructure development, public transport, and digital platforms to ensure inclusive growth and social equity. - Called for active coordination across various ministries and state departments to institutionalize accessibility standards. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign):** A flagship nationwide campaign launched by the DEPwD to create a barrier-free and conducive environment for persons with disabilities across physical, transport, and digital infrastructure verticals. - **Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016:** Landmark Indian legislation that replaced the 1995 Act, expanding recognized disabilities from 7 to 21 and shifting from a welfare to a rights-based framework with job and education reservations. - **Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD):** A nodal department under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment dedicated to policy formulation, implementation, and coordination of rehabilitation and welfare programs for persons with disabilities. - **Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:** The Union Ministry responsible for welfare, social justice, and empowerment policies for marginalized groups including SCs, OBCs, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.