Voice of Specially Abled People (VOSAP), a US nonprofit linked to the United Nations, celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) with the Indian government on Dec.10. The event titled, Voices of VOSAPians, was attended by Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Aggarwal participated in the event virtually from Delhi as the chief guest.
The event brought together a diverse group of partners, known as the "7 SUR," to celebrate the transformative impact of VOSAP’s ecosystem.
Aggarwal highlighted India's significant progress in disability advocacy and empowerment over the last decade. In his address, Aggarwal emphasized key developments, including the Supreme Court’s mandate for non-negotiable accessibility standards, a vital step towards improving accessibility across the country.
He also acknowledged the role of VOSAP’s ‘HITARTH’ project, which supports the Government of India’s ‘NIRAMAYA’ scheme, providing healthcare services to people with intellectual disabilities. VOSAP and the government are collaborating to distribute assistive devices to more people with disabilities.
The event was further honored by Manu Shah, CEO Emeritus of MSI Surfaces. Shah praised VOSAP and said, “I deeply admire VOSAP’s efforts in empowering Specially Abled individuals. The use of technology by VOSAP is exemplary and can serve as a powerful catalyst for change.”
The Accessible India Campaign, started by VOSAP founder Pranav Desai in 2014, has made significant progress in digital and infrastructure accessibility over the past nine years. VOSAP’s mobile app continues to empower users to gather accessibility data, showcasing technology’s role in supporting this cause.
In January 2024, VOSAP introduced Vision 2047, aiming for a US$1 trillion contribution from the disability sector to India’s economy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has supported this vision, emphasizing the importance of economic inclusion for persons with disabilities.
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