Easy access for persons with disabilities: Centre issues draft standards for everyday products

The government has come up with draft accessibility standards for everyday products like kitchenware, furniture and grooming items, proposing nonnegotiable rules such as universal design, braille, tactile features and clear labelling on them to ensure barrier-free access for persons with disabilities.

- Press Trust Of India

Prepared by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD) in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and directions of the Supreme Court, the draft framework is anchored in the globally recognised "POUR" approach, requiring that products must be Perceivable, Operable, Understandable and Robust.

This translates into equitable use for all, simple and intuitive designs, tolerance for errors, minimal physical effort, and adequate space for wheelchair or mobility-aid users.

The draft sets accessibility rules across 20 major categories of everyday use.

The draft covers a wide range of everyday products from kitchenware, food packaging and grooming items to adaptive clothing, furniture, childcare products, medical supplies, lifts and self-service kiosks to ensure barrier-free access for persons with disabilities.

The kitchenware, cooking essentials, bottles, drinkware and food packaging must include easy-to-grip designs, resealable packaging, braille and pictogram labels.