Union Minister of Social Justice Ramdas Athawale at India Inclusive Summit 2026 held in New Delhi
By Tehelka Bureau
The National Association for the Blind (NAB Delhi) successfully hosted the India Inclusive Summit 2026 at Silver Oak, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, corporate leaders, accessibility experts, technology innovators, and members of the disability community to discuss the future of accessibility and inclusive development in India.
The event was graced by Chief Guest Ramdas Athawale, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, who emphasized the importance of creating equal opportunities and strengthening accessibility initiatives across sectors.
On this occasion, Ramdas Athawale said, “India’s progress must be inclusive and accessible for all citizens. The government remains committed to promoting equal opportunities, accessible infrastructure, digital inclusion, and empowerment of PwDs. Platforms such as the India Inclusive Summit play an important role in encouraging dialogue, innovation, and collective action towards building a more inclusive nation.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Prashant Verma, General Secretary, National Association for the Blind (NAB Delhi) said, “India Inclusive Summit 2026 was envisioned as a platform to bring together diverse stakeholders to drive meaningful conversations around accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment. The summit reflects our commitment to ensuring that accessibility becomes an integral part of policy, technology, workplaces, and everyday experiences for persons with disabilities.”
The summit featured multiple keynote presentations and panel discussions focused on strengthening India’s accessibility ecosystem. A keynote session by the Microsoft Windows Narrator Team highlighted the growing role of assistive technologies and accessible digital experiences in enabling greater independence for PwDs.
A major discussion during the summit centered around ‘Policy to Practice: India’s Digital Accessibility Landscape’, where accessibility experts and policy leaders discussed India’s evolving legal frameworks, implementation challenges, and the need for stronger adoption of accessibility standards across digital platforms. The session also explored how public and private stakeholders can work together to ensure that accessibility commitments translate into meaningful and inclusive user experiences.
The session on ‘Accessibility as Business Strategy’ highlighted how accessibility is increasingly being recognized as a driver of innovation, customer engagement, workforce diversity, and long-term business value. Industry leaders from technology, accessibility, and academic sectors shared insights on integrating accessibility into product development, workplace culture, and organizational strategy rather than treating it solely as a compliance requirement.
Another important discussion focused on the ‘Impact of Accessible ICT on Lives of PwDs’, where speakers shared how accessible information and communication technologies are transforming education, employment, communication, and independent living for PwDs. The session also showcased initiatives such as the Sugamya Bharat App, Shravan Audio Library, and Aditi AI, highlighting the role of technology-led innovation in improving accessibility and inclusion at scale.
