Accessibility for all should be a societal mission, says IIT professor

Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Traditional Medicine (ICMR-NITM) organised a two-day specialised hands-on training on Accessibility Standards in Belagavi on Thursday.

The training program, was meant for nodal officers, engineers, administrative officers, and accounts officers from all ICMR Institutes across India, aims to build institutional capacity for implementing universal accessibility and inclusive design in research and administrative infrastructure.

Experts from IIT Roorkee, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Quality Council of India (QCI), IGNOU, NCPEDP, Planet Abled, and Youth4Jobs will conduct technical sessions and interactive demonstrations focusing on accessibility codes, universal design principles, and best practices for inclusive infrastructure.

Gaurav Raheja, professor from IIT Roorkee delivered a special address. He spoke on the importance and shared responsibility of making “accessibility for all” a societal mission. He emphasised that accessibility must be embedded in design thinking, education, and public policy to ensure that infrastructure truly serves diverse human needs. Prof. Raheja underscored that accessibility is not merely a compliance requirement but a reflection of empathy, innovation, and institutional responsibility.

Gangadhar K.N. additional District and Sessions Judge, emphasised the need for equitable and barrier-free infrastructure to ensure dignity and inclusion for all citizens.

Jagdish Rajesh, Deputy Director General (Admin), ICMR, highlighted ICMR’s commitment to fostering accessible and inclusive environments across its research institutions.

Subarna Roy, Director, ICMR–NITM , reiterated the institute’s strong commitment to inclusive accessibility and its proactive role in advancing infrastructure that supports equitable participation for all. He highlighted that ICMR–NITM’s continued efforts toward promoting barrier-free and inclusive environments have earned it national recognition for integrating accessibility principles into institutional planning, research, and community engagement.

”This initiative reflects ICMR’s continued commitment to promoting inclusion, accessibility, and sustainable design within its facilities, aligning with the national vision of “Accessibility for All”,” he said.

“ICMR–NITM continues to lead ICMR’s efforts in the field of traditional medicine research and integrative health, working closely with state health authorities and medical colleges across Karnataka. The institute has made significant contributions to identifying and addressing regional public health challenges while advancing evidence-based traditional medicine research,” Dr. Roy said, according to a release.