Poornamidam

08/04/2026

Accessibility Is Designed Empathy — It’s Inclusion, By Design (Accessibility is empathy made structural — visible in architecture, embedded in laws and policies, and experienced in everyday life)

Accessibility, when understood deeply, is empathy translated into the language of design, governance, and everyday systems and practices. It reflects a conscious decision to anticipate diverse human needs from the outset of planning rather than reacting to exclusion after it occurs. When empathy becomes structural, it manifests through universal design (usable by everyone to the greatest extent possible) in environment that can be navigated by all, communication that all can understand, transport that all can use, and policies that assume diversity as the norm rather than the exception.

In this sense, accessibility is not a charity-driven add-on or a technical retrofit; it is the outcome of thoughtful design choices that recognise dignity, agency, and participation as fundamental rights. By embedding accessibility into design processes and policy frameworks, societies move from episodic accommodation to systemic inclusion, where environments no longer disable individuals but instead enable full participation in public life.

This transformation requires attention not only to visible barriers, but also to the deeper patterns, institutional structures, and cultural mindsets that shape whether universal accessibility becomes a lived reality or remains an afterthought. This is why inclusion, if it is to be meaningful and enduring, must be achieved by design — through structures that make empathy tangible, visible, and lived in everyday experience.

Complete Blog: https://poornamidam.medium.com/accessibility-is-designed-empathy-its-inclusion-by-design-f85f24a66dfc

Authored by — Adv. Abhishek Kumar , Founder and Curator of The Sangyan - द संज्ञान and the ‘Build Forward Better’ campaign, and Ar. Kavya Poornima Balajepalli Founder and Curator of Poornamidam | पूर्णमिदम | పూర్ణమిదం, and ‘We All Belong’ campaign.

Alt Text [Visual/Image Description]: On a blue-grey paper-textured background, the logos of the ‘Build Forward Better’ campaign, The Sangyan, the ‘Infinity Loop’ (Inclusion and Sustainability: For the Common Concerns of Humankind), the SDG infinity emblem (Build Forward Better, where We All Belong), and Poornamidam are placed at the centre top along with their respective mottos. The paper is torn from the centre, revealing a white background with text that reads, “Accessibility Is Designed Empathy.” At the centre bottom, the text reads, “Inclusion, By Design.”

28/03/2026

Stories of Change — National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (From Advocacy to the Floor of Parliament: Advancing a Constitutional Pathway for Disability Justice in India)

We at Poornamidam | पूर्णमिदम | పూర్ణమిదం and The Sangyan | द संज्ञान are elated to share a significant and encouraging development for the disability sector in India.

On the 13th of March 2026, during a Special Mention in the Rajya Sabha of the Sansad (Parliament of India), BJP's Member of Parliament from Bihar, Dr Bhim Singh, called for the need to set up a 'National Commission for Persons with Disabilities,' as opposed to the commissionerate system that is currently in place to “effectively address” the issues of persons with disabilities and protect their rights in the country.

As reported by The Hindu, during a special mention in Rajya Sabha, MP Bhim Singh said that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, provided for the appointment of a Chief Commissioner for PwDs and two Associate Commissioners. “However, this system needs to be further strengthened,” he said, adding that this system alone was insufficient to address the wide-ranging challenges faced by persons with disabilities. Dr Bhim Singh went on to suggest that a full-time National Commission should be established, which could work with the States to “perform important functions such as policy formulation, monitoring effective implementation of schemes, making budgetary recommendations, and making necessary legislative suggestions”. The MP added that the architecture of such a proposed National Commission should be similar to other National Commissions, have “independent powers” and have regional offices to ensure accessibility. Dr Singh also appreciated the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in bringing “respect and empowerment” for PwDs across the country, but added, “The time has come to transform his work into a permanent institutional framework.” [Excerpts from The Hindu's News Article]

For us at Poornamidam | पूर्णमिदम | పూర్ణమిదం and The Sangyan | द संज्ञान, this development carries deep significance. On the 14th of February 2024, on the occasion of Basant Panchami (Saraswati Puja), Poornamidam | पूर्णमिदम | పూర్ణమిదం and The Sangyan | द संज्ञान together launched the ‘Charter of Demands: Call to Action for Disability Justice' [अधिकार मांग-पत्र: विकलांगता न्याय कार्य (कॉल-टू-एक्शन) के लिए आह्वान] (https://chng.it/7LXWGV9kKF) in the backdrop of the 2024 Lok Sabha General Election. One of the ten core demands in this Charter was precisely this: "Formation of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities under Article 340 of the Constitution of India. (भारत के संविधान के अनुच्छेद 340 के तहत/अंतर्गत विकलांग/दिव्यांग व्यक्तियों के लिए राष्ट्रीय आयोग का गठन।)." This demand was not merely institutional in nature; it was rooted in the need for a constitutional mechanism that recognises the historical marginalisation and structural exclusion faced by persons with disabilities.

Witnessing this demand now being raised on the floor of Parliament is a moment of immense happiness and cautious optimism. It signals that the concerns and aspirations of the disability community are gradually finding space in the national legislative discourse and reflects a growing recognition that disability justice requires stronger institutional architecture, not just administrative arrangements

In our effort to ensure that these demands inform law and policymaking, we initiated a public petition (https://chng.it/7LXWGV9kKF) that received generous support from the disability community, civil society members, and allies across sectors. We also reached out to national and regional political parties, urging them to incorporate these demands into their election manifestos and policy commitments. Simultaneously, we engaged with the central government and relevant stakeholders across platforms, consistently advocating for structural reform.

We at Poornamidam | पूर्णमिदम | పూర్ణమిదం and The Sangyan | द संज्ञान express our sincere gratitude to everyone who endorsed and supported the Charter of Demands. We also acknowledge Dr Bhim Singh for lending his voice to a cause that holds the potential to reshape disability governance in India in a meaningful way.

However, this must be the beginning of a serious legislative and consultative process. The formation of a National Commission should be accompanied by clarity on its constitutional footing, powers, financial autonomy, regional presence, and accountability mechanisms. It must meaningfully represent diverse disabilities and work in close dialogue with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and grassroots communities. If carried forward with sincerity and institutional integrity, this step can transform disability governance in India. It can move us closer to a society where freedom, dignity, and equal opportunity are not aspirational promises but lived realities.

This moment gives renewed hope for an India that is universally accessible, equitable, resilient, sustainable, and inclusive. We remain hopeful, watchful, and committed to ensuring that disability affairs in India move from a limited administrative framework to a robust constitutional and institutional mechanism. Such steps are sine qua non if we are to move towards a Viksit Bharat that genuinely builds forward better, where we all belong.

References:

1. In Rajya Sabha, BJP MP proposes setting up National Commission for Persons with Disabilities - The Hindu (dated 13th March 2026) https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/in-rajya-sabha-bjp-mp-proposes-setting-up-national-commission-for-persons-with-disabilities/article70740050.ece

2. Dr Bhim Singh's (Member, Rajya Sabha, Parliament of India) X (Twitter) Post (dated 14th March 2026) regarding the formation of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities
https://x.com/dr_bhimsingh/status/2034062101363495223?s=20

3. Charter of Demands: Call to Action for Disability Justice' [अधिकार मांग-पत्र: विकलांगता न्याय कार्य (कॉल-टू-एक्शन) के लिए आह्वान] https://chng.it/7LXWGV9kKF

4. Stories of Change — National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (From Advocacy to the Floor of Parliament: Advancing a Constitutional Pathway for Disability Justice in India) https://poornamidam.medium.com/stories-of-change-national-commission-for-persons-with-disabilities-a4de90ba6ec0

Alt Text [Visual/Image Description]: A poster with a beige background featuring the Ashoka Chakra (Dharma Chakra) at the centre. The logos of The Sangyan and Poornamidam are placed at the top on either side. The title, in brown text, reads: “Stories of Change – Formation of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities under Article 340 of the Constitution of India.” On the left, a screenshot highlights the “Charter of Demands: Call to Action for Disability Justice,” outlining ten key demands. On the right, a news article (dated 13th March 2026) screenshot from The Hindu features the headline: “In Rajya Sabha, BJP MP proposes setting up National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.” Towards the bottom, the hashtags “ ,” “ ,” and “ ” are displayed.

छवि विवरण [वैकल्पिक टेक्स्ट]: एक पोस्टर जिसमें हल्के बेज रंग की पृष्ठभूमि है और केंद्र में अशोक चक्र (धर्म चक्र) दर्शाया गया है। ऊपर दोनों ओर पूर्णमिदम और द संज्ञान के प्रतीक चिह्न लगाए गए हैं। शीर्षक भूरे रंग में लिखा है: “|| परिवर्तन के पन्ने || – भारत के संविधान के अनुच्छेद 340 के तहत/अंतर्गत विकलांग/दिव्यांग व्यक्तियों के लिए राष्ट्रीय आयोग का गठन।” बाईं ओर एक स्क्रीनशॉट में लिखा है: “अधिकार मांग-पत्र: विकलांगता न्याय कार्य के लिए आह्वान।” दाईं ओर हिंदी समाचार पत्र प्रभात का एक स्क्रीनशॉट है (दिनांक 14 मार्च 2026), जिसमें शीर्षक है: “दिव्यांगजनों के लिए सशक्त राष्ट्रीय आयोग का गठन हो : भीम सिंह।” नीचे की ओर हैशटैग “ ,” “ ,” और “ ” दिए गए हैं।

20/03/2026

Status Note on Accessibility Audit of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website (www.mohfw.gov.in)
Information based on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW)'s Response to the Right to Information Application (April 2025)

Abstract — This blog, as part of a collaborative effort of The Sangyan and Poornamidam , presents a status note on the accessibility audit of the official website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (www.mohfw.gov.in), based on information obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by the author. The RTI response dated 29 April 2025 provides official confirmation of the Ministry's initiative to undertake a structured accessibility audit to evaluate and improve the inclusivity of its digital platforms.

According to the response and the attached work order, the Ministry allocated ₹3,71,700 for the audit, which has been assigned to the CABE Foundation [Centre for Accessibility in Built Environment Foundation]. The audit covers key aspects of digital accessibility, including website design and navigation, visual indicators such as colour contrast, availability of text alternatives for images to support screen readers, and overall usability for persons with disabilities. The exercise is intended to ensure compliance with Rule 15 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017, as well as national standards such as the Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW).

The scope of work also includes documentation of accessibility gaps, recommendations for corrective measures, training sessions for relevant stakeholders in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, and monitoring of implementation. The audit process involves multiple rounds of testing, including regression testing, and aims to strengthen institutional capacity for sustaining accessibility standards in digital public infrastructure.

Overall, the RTI response highlights an ongoing effort by the Government of India to advance an inclusive and universally accessible digital ecosystem in the governance structure, ensuring that public health information systems become more accessible, usable, and equitable for persons with disabilities.

At Poornamidam, this engagement aligns with our continued focus on research, advocacy, and evidence-based conversations at the intersection of accessibility, governance, and inclusive digital ecosystems, in collaboration with The Sangyan.

Read the full status note: https://poornamidam.medium.com/status-note-on-accessibility-audit-of-ministry-of-health-and-family-welfare-website-www-mohfw-gov-i-4c4bfd0f1b16

Right to Information application filed, and the status note prepared by —
Adv. Abhishek Kumar, Founder and Curator of The Sangyan - द संज्ञान and the ‘Build Forward Better’ Campaign, in collaboration with Ar. Kavya Poornima Balajepalli , Founder and Curator of Poornamidam and 'We All Belong' campaign.

Alt Text (Accessible Description): An infographic titled “Digital Health for All: MoHFW’s Roadmap to Universal Accessibility” presents a visual summary regarding the accessibility audit of the website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. The design uses soft watercolour tones of blue, green, and beige with icons related to healthcare, accessibility, governance, and digital systems. At the top left and top right are the logos of The Sangyan and Poornamidam, respectively. At the centre is an Infinity Loop (convergence of inclusion and sustainability) with its motto of “For the Common Concerns of Humankind”. The left section highlights strategic investment and compliance, showing a ₹3,71,700 budget allocation for conducting a comprehensive accessibility audit of the MoHFW website. The information is noted as being based on an RTI response dated 29 April 2025. The infographic states that the audit ensures compliance with Rule 15 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017 and is carried out through expert-led auditing by the Centre for Accessibility in Built Environment (CABE) Foundation. The central section describes a holistic digital audit scope, indicating that the review covers website navigation, colour contrast, visual indicators, and compatibility with screen readers to support inclusive access for persons with disabilities. The right section presents a Framework for Universal Design, highlighting capacity-building initiatives conducted jointly with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, along with rigorous testing procedures, including two rounds of physical testing and regression checks at MoHFW offices. Along the bottom, three core objectives are illustrated: visual accessibility indicators, user-friendly navigation, and compliance monitoring, aligned with the Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) to ensure long-term accessibility and usability of digital public health platforms. The infographic concludes with advocacy hashtags: , , , , and , emphasising inclusive digital governance. Overall, the infographic communicates how a government-supported accessibility audit — funded through a dedicated budget and implemented with expert oversight — aims to improve the accessibility, usability, and inclusivity of the MoHFW website as part of broader efforts toward universally accessible digital public health infrastructure in India.

08/02/2026

Yi Vizag's Accessibility Vertical, in collaboration with Poornamidam, invites you to "Digital Accessibility 101: Alt Text in Action"

📅 9th February 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM IST
💻 Zoom

Meeting ID: 952 9508 1557
Passcode: 422080

🔗 Meeting Link: https://cii-in.zoom.us/j/95295081557?pwd=OBAxCRjEzIRBrCr0NciZvrJGo7GYAh.1

Join us for a live demo, hands-on activity, AI-enabled tools, and insights from lived experience.

Who can join?

🚀 Startup founders
📱 Social media managers
🎯 Young entrepreneurs
🎓 Students
📢 Anyone who shares digital content daily

If you communicate visually — especially on WhatsApp, social media, or presentations — this session is for you‼️

Let’s build communication that truly includes everyone🌸

~Team .vizag Accessibility & 🇮🇳

———
Image Description [ALT Text]
Promotional flyer titled “Digital Accessibility 101: Alt Text in Action” by Yi Accessibility (Young Indians, ONE Bharat, CII) in collaboration with Poornamidam. Scheduled for 9 February 2026 at 7:00 PM on Zoom, the session features a live screen reader demo, hands-on activity with visuals, AI tools for writing better alt text, and lived-experience insights. Facilitated by Ar. Kavya Poornima Balajepalli, Founder of Poornamidam and Co-Chair, Accessibility, Yi Vizag. The design uses an orange and blue theme with partner logos at the top and the speaker’s photo at the bottom right; meeting details are mentioned in the caption.

30/01/2026

🚸 As Road Safety Week (26-31 January) concludes, we are reminded that crashes do not end with numbers — they continue as lifelong disabilities, economic strain, and altered futures.

📊Drawing on researched data compiled by Poornamidam and presented in collaboration with Yi Accessibility, this initiative spotlights the intersection of accessible infrastructure, safety, and inclusion.

♿🚦A road unsafe for persons with disabilities is unsafe for everyone.

⚠️ Road Safety = Accessibility = Disability Prevention

🌍Our responsibility continues — to 'Build Forward Better' where 'We All Belong'

01/11/2025

📚We’re so happy to share that “కథానుభవం – Kathanubhavam: An Inclusive Storytelling Experience,” a specially curated session, is coming to the Vizag Junior Literary Fest this year! We can’t wait to see the bright faces of Sunflower Special School students shine and bloom again! 🌻

📖 Storytelling Session Details —

🗓️: Saturday, 8th November, 2025
🕙: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
📍: Hawa Mahal, Vizag Beach Road, Visakhapatnam

Led by the Storyteller: Vikram Sridhar, Bengaluru

Session Collaborators: Poornamidam × Sunflower Special School

✨ Story Title: To be revealed during the session — wait and be amazed!

It’s going to be a joyful morning filled with laughter, stories, imagination, and inclusion🤝

↔️ Swipe to learn more about Vizag Junior Literary Fest 2025 through bilingual content in Telugu and English.



What makes storytelling so special?

16/10/2025

"For me, my white cane is far beyond a mobility aid. I always carry it in my handbag as an essential part of my travel, and it becomes my quiet companion and rescue in moments of distress."

Reflecting on White Cane Day (15th October), we’re sharing this piece by our Founder, Ar. Kavya Poornima Balajepalli, on the role of a white cane in navigating life with dynamic, invisible disability-induced blindness — and her work advocating for universal accessibility.

Read the full blog: [https://poornamidam.medium.com/my-white-cane-saga-aff07ac81108]

16/10/2025

"For me, my white cane is far beyond a mobility tool. I always carry it in my handbag as an essential part of my travel, and it becomes my quiet companion and rescue in moments of distress."

Reflecting on White Cane Day (15th October), we’re sharing this piece by our Founder, Ar. Kavya Poornima Balajepalli , on the role of a white cane in navigating life with dynamic, invisible disability-induced blindness — and her work advocating for universal accessibility.

Read the full blog: [https://poornamidam.medium.com/my-white-cane-saga-aff07ac81108]

White Cane Day, observed on 15th October, reminds us annually to raise awareness about the importance of mobility, accessibility, and…