‘Sugamya Yatra’, a pioneering initiative towards Accessibility and Inclusivity, organised on the International Wheelchair Day 2025 in New Delhi

Publish Date: March 3, 2025

“Sugamya Yatra,” a pioneering initiative promoting accessibility and inclusivity, was organized in New Delhi on International Wheelchair Day 2025. The event was graced by Mr. Rajesh Agrawal, Chairperson, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), along with Manmeen Nand Kour.

Sugamya Yatra Organized on International Wheelchair Day 2025

Date: March 1, 2025
Location: Rajiv Chowk Metro Station, New Delhi

Introduction

Sugamya Yatra was organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE), and the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) to break myths about wheelchair users, promote accessibility, and foster inclusivity.

Institutional Support and Participation

Support came from institutions like PDDU-NIPPD, ISLRTC, DMRC, and Samarthyam. Participants included students and faculty from the School of Planning and Architecture, Vastu Kala Academy, Asha School, PDDU-NIPPD, and Delhi University.

Key Activities

Accessibility Walk: Citizens and policymakers experienced real-life challenges of wheelchair users.
Experiential Simulation Exercise: Non-disabled individuals used wheelchairs to understand accessibility challenges.
Panel Discussion: Dialogue on inclusivity, accessibility, and disability rights featuring policymakers and activists.

Notable Addresses

Shri Rajesh Aggarwal (Secretary, DEPwD)

Emphasized accessibility and the relaunch of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan. Stressed the need for accessible digital content, including ALT text for images and transcriptions for videos.

Ms. Manmeet Kaur Nanda (Joint Secretary, DEPwD)

Reiterated the expansion of Sugamya Yatra to private sectors for more inclusive workplaces and public spaces.

Dr. S. Govindaraj (Commissioner, CCPD)

Called Sugamya Yatra a symbolic journey to foster societal support for persons with disabilities.

Ms. Anjlee Agarwal (Executive Director, Samarthyam)

Highlighted the long-term vision of Sugamya Yatra, aiming to reach villages and cities across India.

Impact and Message

The event emphasized that removing mobility barriers leads to greater independence and empowerment for persons with disabilities.

Event Images

Participants during Sugamya Yatra activity
Accessibility walk demonstration at metro station
Panel discussion with accessibility leaders