As India strives toward achieving a $1 trillion digital economy by 2028, digital citizenship has become indispensable for accessing e-governance services and basic entitlements. At this critical juncture, where India emphasises the need for “digital inclusion”, it is imperative to evaluate the effectiveness of the government’s strategies vis-à-vis the scale of digital reach, adoption, and impact in the last mile.
One such vulnerable community from the ‘last mile’ we have often overlooked in the digital sphere is Persons With Disabilities (PwDs). This is especially concerning given the draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, that were released in January by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). These rules aim to enforce a crucial provision within the main legislation: obtaining ‘verifiable consent’ from the ‘lawful guardian’ of individuals with disabilities. The writers of this article first highlight the critical challenges and unique vulnerabilities faced by PwDs in the digital age and then argue the need to fundamentally reconsider the considerations around digital policies, such as the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 and the rules there under, to adequately address the specific needs and rights of PwDs, while safeguarding the interest of all citizens.
A pan-India study on challenges
A pan-India study by the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), the Broadband India Forum (BIF) and the Center for Development Policy and Practice (CDPP), titled “ICTs for Empowering Accessibility/Inclusion: The Impact of Digital Integration On The Lives of PwDs”, showcases the various challenges faced by PwDs in the digital ecosystem. We know that in a society that is deeply entrenched in ableism, systemic barriers continue to limit the full participation of PwDs. Barriers manifest themselves in various forms, including limited access to education, health care, employment, and other essential services, leading to adverse socioeconomic outcomes and severe social exclusion.
The study has found that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) offer significant potential for PwDs, including improved access to information, social welfare schemes, employment opportunities, and increased community engagement. However, a ‘digital inclusivity vision’ is not just about the existence of technology and infrastructure. It is also about access to the same.
For instance, the study found that out of 112 PwDs surveyed, 36.61% visited digital service providers weekly, indicating regular utilisation, while encountering difficulties in accessing services tailored to their diverse needs. These services included essential tasks such as photocopying and printing documents, assisting with government scheme applications, and providing training on digital skills, safety, and security, as well as the use of ICT tools and government schemes.
The socioeconomic and demographic diversity among PwDs and the types of disabilities are often overlooked in policy discussions surrounding digital discourse. Census data plays a pivotal role here in accounting for the PwD population and its diversity, to build effective policies for a disabled-inclusive digital design — especially for those affected by the digital and social divides.
The IS standard, issue of autonomy
A significant legislative step taken by India ensures web accessibility through the adoption of the ICT Accessibility Standard IS 17802 (Indian Standard for Information and Communication Technology Accessibility), which integrates ICT accessibility with tailored assistive technologies and accessibility features to ensure meaningful digital adoption among PwDs. The adoption of the accessibility standards among public and private service providers will ensure meaningful access to the Internet. Moreover, the role of service providers is crucial here in leveraging the innovation ecosystem to design and deploy subsidised and low-cost digital infrastructure that enhances digital reach and adoption among PwDs.
Another critical aspect of policymaking that is imperative for achieving widespread ICT adoption among PwDs is the development of contextual and targeted approaches that address the needs of the local digital ecosystem alongside enabling remote access to avail the services of the physical digital service centres. Digital solutions catering to hyperlocal settings, which comprise literacy programmes, skill training and capacity-building are essential for availing education and livelihood opportunities.
The research study involving 300-plus PwD digital changemakers demonstrated the transformative potential of digital technologies in empowering and enabling PwDs to live a life with dignity and respect. However, the measure of digital integration, enablement and adoption, determined solely by the number of ICT users, has proven insufficient, indicated by the extent of the ever deepening digital divide in the country. It is, therefore, essential to depart from the binary framework of the haves and have-nots for meaningful digital inclusion.
Another key aspect of the study is a recommendation to MeitY regarding the re-examination of certain provisions within the DPDP Act. The DPDP Act was enacted in August 2023, and the Draft Rules were released for public consultation on January 3, 2025. The writers argue that while the DPDP Act acknowledges PwDs as a distinct category, and the Rules have defined ‘guardian’ and ‘PwDs’, a few concerns remain regarding the effectiveness of the Act in empowering the community.
To explain this further, Section 9(1) of the DPDP Act could potentially undermine the autonomy and personhood of PwDs by authorising legal guardians to grant consent on their behalf without mentioning any specific circumstances. This approach contradicts the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which emphasises the right to autonomy, independent living and self-determination.
Second, by grouping PwDs with children in the same provision, Section 9(1) infantilises PwDs and overemphasises the role of legal guardians in decision-making. This also raises concerns about the potential for abuse of power by guardians, while completely lacking any legal safeguards to protect the sensitive personal data of PwDs.
Third, while numerous technologies and services exist to support PwDs, the government’s pivotal responsibility lies in ensuring that these technologies are accessible and viable for all members of society. Currently, many digital services are limited to physical locations, hindering the flexibility of PwDs to access services, training, and support remotely. The government must first focus on conducting a comprehensive inventory of available solutions and tailor them to suit the specific requirements of PwDs in India.
Furthermore, enhancing Internet connectivity in remote regions is crucial to ensure equitable access to online resources for PwDs in marginalised communities. Moreover, collaborative efforts involving the government, private sector, civil society, and the tech-for-good sector are essential to equip digital service providers with the necessary assistive technologies and accessibility features.
On ‘meaningful’ connectivity
Several pieces of legislation in India, including the DPDP Act and the Telecommunications Act, mandate a “digital-by-design” approach, acknowledging the importance of digital accessibility. However, the study emphasises the need for the government to critically examine these regulatory frameworks to enable meaningful connectivity for all communities in India. For instance, it is suggested that any digital-by-design framework should be built on a citizen-centric rather than a consumer-centric model — a bottom-up model of policy advocacy that addresses the contextual, evidence-based, and specific digital needs of diverse communities in India. The term ‘meaningful’ is crucial here to bridge the graded digital inequalities and build digital equity for all.
In conclusion, empowering PwDs in the digital age requires a multi-pronged approach. By working collaboratively with PwDs, civil society and the tech sector, the government can create a truly inclusive digital landscape where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can fully participate and thrive.
Arpita Kanjilal is the Head, Research and Advocacy Division, Digital Empowerment Foundation. Mira Swaminathan is the Director-Policy Advocacy and Communications at Broadband India Forum
Published – February 25, 2025 05:02 pm IST