New Delhi: In a landmark move to ensure a barrier-free environment for its citizens, the government has issued a comprehensive draft of accessibility standards for a wide range of everyday products. The proposed rules, which cover everything from kitchenware to furniture and grooming items, would mandate non-negotiable features such as universal design, braille, tactile features, and clear labelling to ensure barrier-free access for people with disabilities.
Prepared by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, the draft framework aligns with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and directives from the Supreme Court. The guiding philosophy is a globally recognised “POUR” approach, which stipulates that all products must be Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. This translates into a design philosophy that prioritizes equitable use for all, intuitive simplicity, tolerance for errors, minimal physical effort, and adequate space for users of wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
Extensive Coverage Across 20 Categories
The draft standards set accessibility rules for 20 major categories of everyday products. The guidelines are expansive, covering a wide array of goods that are essential for daily life.
- Kitchenware and Food: This category includes cooking essentials, bottles, drinkware, and food packaging. The proposed standards call for easy-to-grip designs, resealable packaging, and the use of braille and pictogram labels.
- Grooming and Clothing: For grooming and personal care items, the draft mandates textured packaging, easy-to-hold handles, and accessible dispensers. Adaptive clothing and footwear must feature inclusive closures like Velcro and magnetic clasps, along with non-slip soles.
- Home and Public Spaces: The guidelines also cover home accessibility products such as ramps, grab bars, smart lighting, and height-adjustable furniture. In public spaces, standards are proposed for lifts, escalators, security apparatus, and self-service kiosks, mandating tactile buttons, audio announcements, visual accessibility, and wheelchair-friendly dimensions.
- Technology and Finance: The draft also addresses financial and digital accessibility, including standards for ATMs and PoS devices with tactile features, screen-reader-compatible UPI interfaces, and tactile currency recognition. Writing and office supplies are also covered, with a focus on adaptations for one-handed use.
- Childcare and Medical Supplies: Childcare products like inclusive toys, strollers, and adaptive furniture, as well as medical supplies with braille-labelled packaging and accessible digital displays, are also part of the proposed guidelines.
Mandatory Testing and a “Carrot-and-Stick” Model
The draft standards also lay out a clear framework for implementation and compliance. Manufacturers will be required to get their products tested by accredited bodies, with products being rated from Level A to Level AAA. These certifications must be clearly marked on the product and renewed periodically to ensure sustained compliance.
The ministry has proposed a “carrot-and-stick” model to enforce the new standards. Manufacturers who adopt accessible designs could benefit from GST incentives or deferred payments, while violations could lead to fines, product recalls, and public disclosure of non-compliance. The draft also emphasizes collaborative development, urging manufacturers to involve people with disabilities throughout the entire product lifecycle, from design to user feedback.
With these standards, the government aims to not only align with the Accessible India Campaign but also to uphold its broader international commitments to disability rights.