Yes to Access

The Association of People with Disability (APD) will be hosting a Session at  the Second World Summit for Social Development, to be held in Doha, Qatar, from 4–6 November 2025. 

Our Virtual Solution Session, titled “Breaking Barriers, Building Solutions through Yes to Access”, will take place on: 

• Wednesday, November 5, 2025
• Timings: 12:30 PM–1:30 PM IST | 10:00 – 11:00 AM Doha 
• Click here to Register:  https://zoom.us/meeting/register/fEMmY9GNQle1QJPQ4zUr1A

Why should we talk about Accessibility?
Accessibility is essential to place people at the centre of development. It enables persons with disabilities to participate fully in education, work, and community life. Without accessibility, the goals of poverty eradication, full employment, and social integration remain incomplete.

Why is Yes to Access (YTA) a solution?
Yes to Access makes inclusion measurable. It is a community-led AI-powered platform that maps the accessibility of public spaces, turning everyday experiences into useful data for change. YTA connects people, policy, and technology, helping governments and citizens work together to build a barrier-free, inclusive world.
With the support of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Karnataka, over 1,73,000 public spaces have been mapped and nearly 6,000 volunteers mobilised under Sugamya Yatra, a statewide accessibility mapping drive that demonstrates how citizen participation can power inclusive development.

About the Session
The session brings a vital perspective to India’s accessibility movement, linking policy, governance, innovation, and implementation. In alignment with the Summit’s call to place people at the centre of development, YTA embodies how inclusive design and civic participation can drive social integration and equal opportunity.

Ms. Manmeet Nanda, Additional Secretary, Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), represents the national policy framework driving accessibility across India. Her leadership has been key in shaping data-driven approaches that empower people with disabilities and contribute to the broader goals of social inclusion. 

Shri Das Suryawanshi, State Commissioner for Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SCPD), Karnataka, offers a state-level perspective on operationalizing accessibility.  His support for YTA reflects Karnataka’s proactive role in translating inclusive policies into actionable, people-centric outcomes, reinforcing the pledge for full employment and social participation.

Mr. Jacob Kurian, Honorary Secretary and Trustee, (APD), brings deep civil society insight and innovative leadership. He conceptualised Yes to Access as a scalable model connecting people, data, and policy. His vision places accessibility at the heart of development, ensuring that every public space reflects the principle of equal participation for all.

Ms. Ashmira Hamirani, Senior Coordinator, Yes to Access, APD, serves as the moderator of the Session. She brings her experience in being a part of the Yes to Access project and stakeholder engagement. 

This dialogue showcases how DEPwD, the SCPD Karnataka, and APD have come together to demonstrate that collaboration between government, civil society, and citizens can make accessibility measurable and achievable.  It highlights a practical pathway for other States and stakeholders to replicate, turning accessibility into a collective, sustained movement for inclusion.

Register today and add your voice to building an inclusive, barrier-free India.