Yes to Access in International Purple Fest 2025, Goa

19/09/2025 Yes to Access EditorEvents

Yes to Access in International Purple Fest 2025, Goa

What is International Purple Fest, 2025?

International Purple fest 2025 is the third Edition of Purple fest in Goa. The purpose of Purple Fest is the celebration of enhancing inclusivity, promoting diversity and accepting differences in the context of disability for the last three consecutive years. This year the theme of International Purple Fest is Universal design.

What is The Association of People with Disability(APD)?

The Association of People with Disability (APD), established in 1959 by Ms. N.S. Hema in Bengaluru, is a pioneering non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the rights, dignity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PwDs). Over the past six decades, APD has transformed from a modest initiative into a leading institution that has positively impacted more than 600,000 individuals across Karnataka and other regions.

APD’s interventions span the entire life cycle of persons with disabilities, from early intervention and inclusive education to therapy, rehabilitation, vocational training, and livelihood programs. The organization also plays a significant role in policy advocacy, capacity building, and community outreach, ensuring that inclusion is not only a service but also a systemic change.

By collaborating with government agencies, corporate partners, and civil society organizations, APD works at both grassroots and policy levels, addressing barriers while creating sustainable pathways for participation and empowerment. Its approach combines service delivery with advocacy, making it a catalyst for long-term social change.

Today, APD stands as a trusted leader in the disability sector—committed to building a society where persons with disabilities have equal opportunities, access to resources, and the freedom to live with dignity and independence.

What is Yes to Access Project?

Yes to Access (YTA) is an initiative of the Association of People with Disability (APD) to promote accessibility and inclusion in India. It combines awareness, audits, and advocacy to ensure persons with disabilities can access physical and digital spaces without barriers.

The Yes to Access App, launched in December 2024, is India’s first AI-powered accessibility evaluation tool. Available on Android and iOS, it allows volunteers, PwDs, and facility managers to:

Audit public spaces (parking, entrances, routes, toilets) through checklists, ratings, and photos.
Generate accessibility scores using AI analysis.
Share results on a public map, helping others locate accessible places.
With 1.95 lakh+ locations mapped and growing user participation, YTA is building a nationwide database to drive awareness, policy change, and action towards an accessible India.

What does APD stall showcases in Purple Fest, Goa

Stall Layout

The APD stall at the Purple Fest is set up in a 6×5 meter square area, with different zones managed by specific teams. As one enters, on their left is the Experience zone with an inaccessible ramp setup managed for participants to experience that accessibility is not a token optic but a matter of dignity and independence of people facing mobility-related challenges. Right in the centre is the Yes To Access Tent for participants to get to know how the YTA app attempts to fill accessibility gaps, how persons with mobility issues could use it to navigate public spaces and how volunteers can help audit public spaces around the country. Lastly, there is the interactive thread wall on the right, for participants to map their feelings, experiences and hope for the future that binds us all together. The layout also includes multiple standees and television display screens that guide participants to the context of accessibility through information, data infographics and audio visual content. The layout is designed to be balanced and functional, allowing smooth movement and interaction within the space.

Experience zone doodle

This infographic highlights the inaccessibility of ramps in public places in India. Out of 7,006 locations audited through the Yes To Access App in the months of July and August, 21.35% had no ramps, and only 7.4% of existing ramps met accessibility standards. The most inaccessible locations were found to be public spaces, offices, schools, and recreational buildings. In a world where 1.3 billion people (1 in 6 globally) live with disabilities, the need for accessible infrastructure is a matter of dignity and independence. For anyone wondering – an accessible ramp requires a 5° incline, 1200 mm width, and handrails on both sides.

Comic poster

This comic illustrates how the “Yes To Access” app helps people with mobility issues find accessible public places. Here, a wheelchair user uses the app to locate a bank with ramps and other accessible facilities. The final panel emphasizes that accessibility benefits both users and businesses.

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