National Summit On Accessibility 2025 Charts India’s Roadmap For Inclusive Growth

The National Summit on Accessibility 2025, organized by Svayam in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and UNESCO, set a strong national agenda for inclusive and accessible growth across sectors. Held on 6 November 2025 at Taj Palace, New Delhi, the day-long event brought together policymakers, technologists, and accessibility experts to chart a unified framework for accessibility in sports, tourism, mobility, and digital ecosystems.

In her inaugural address, Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder and Chairperson of Svayam, emphasized that India loses an estimated $1 trillion in GDP due to the lack of accessibility inclusion. “Accessibility is not just a social obligation—it’s an economic necessity,” she said, calling for targeted policy interventions to make accessibility a driver of national growth.

Key dignitaries including Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan (AVSM, VSM), Mr. Tim Curtis, Director, UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, and Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India, underscored the importance of accessibility as a human right and a cornerstone for sustainable development. Sharp noted that 1.3 billion people globally live with disabilities, urging nations to “reimagine disability as a natural part of the human condition.” Curtis added that accessibility must ensure “dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all,” with India well-positioned to lead global change through universal design.

A highlight of the Summit was the launch of a KPMG India white paper titled “Does Accessibility Make Economic Sense?” which outlined the measurable economic benefits of inclusive infrastructure and workforce participation.

Four Dynamic Panel Discussions Explored Sector-Specific Strategies:

• Accessible Games Blueprint focused on creating universally designed sports facilities, with insights from Vineel Krishna, IAS, and para-athlete Ekta Bhyan.
• Tourism & Culture Accessibility for All discussed inclusive travel and heritage experiences, featuring Mugdha Sinha (ITDC) and Arman Ali (NCPEDP).
• From Barriers to Bridges examined integrating accessibility into transport systems, led by Mr. Jitender Yadav, IAS and senior railway officials.
• Bridging the Digital Divide highlighted digital inclusion, with experts from NIC, UNESCO, IIT Delhi, and IIT Roorkee.

The Summit marked a milestone in India’s mission to transform accessibility into an engine for inclusive, equitable, and sustainable economic growth.