YesToAccess app to facilitate upload of accessibility-related information
Shillong, Mar 25: As part of the union government’s Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign), Sugamya Yatra was officially launched in the state by social welfare minister Paul Lyngdoh on Tuesday.
The initiative of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment aims at promoting accessibility and inclusivity for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The state-level function was organised at U Soso Tham Auditorium here by Commissioner for PwDs in collaboration with State Resource Centre on Disability Affairs (SRCDA), Shillong, and Composite Regional Center, Shillong.
As part of the initiative, teams will visit various buildings and identify accessibility gaps.
Accessibility experts, engineers, and architects will be part of the Yatra, which utilises “YesToAccess” app where teams can upload accessibility-related information.
The access audit will be conducted by Bethany Society, with the involvement of NGOs, PwDs, and sign language interpreters.
Meanwhile, eight entrepreneurs with disabilities were offered a total financial assistance of ₹22 lakh from PRIME (Promotion and Incubation of Market-driven Enterprises) Meghalaya on the occasion.
The entrepreneurs are – Larikyrpang Nongrum (Lari Cyber and Stationery), Ferdinand Lyngdoh (EKANBHA), Donrisha Mawrie (cultivates high-quality sustainable flowers), Dispi Kharbuli (blacksmith), Batskhem Kharkamni (furniture), Bansuklang N Sohlang (steel fabrication), Bandarisha Rynjah (customised embroidery) and George Eric Campbell Marbaniang (electrician and wiring).
Speaking on the occasion, the social welfare minister Paul Lyngdoh shared about a fruitful discussion with union minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Virendra Kumar, in presence of chief minister Conrad K Sangma, in New Delhi last week.
He said the union minister assured of Central funding for the Center for Disability Sport at Mawkhanu, New Shillong.
Stating that the project will fructify soon, Lyngdoh expressed the hope that the state will soon witness PwDs performing at the National Games 2027 to be hosted by Meghalaya.
Meanwhile, deputy commissioner for PwDs Bridget Warshong said Sugamya Yatra, also known as Accessible Journey, aims to promote accessibility and inclusivity for PwDs, raise awareness, and address challenges in public spaces and infrastructure concerning accessibility.
