The Global Accessible Awareness Day (GAAD) 2025 was observed on 15th May in Phek district under the theme “Design for Everyone: Accessibility is Empowerment.” The event was jointly organized by the office of the state commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), department of Social Welfare, and the office of the Deputy Commissioner Phek.
The programme highlighted the importance of accessibility and inclusive design in empowering persons with disabilities and creating equitable opportunities for all members of society.
Assistant commissioner for PWDs Zapuno Sophie welcomed the participants and delivered the opening remarks, setting the tone for the day with a message of access to infrastructure is the first step towards creating a world of inclusion and accessibility is empowerment.
In a brief address, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Phek Zhoi Lohe mentioned that the programme was one of its first kind in the district creating an awareness on disability and conveyed that the DC’s office Phek looks forward to more collaborative programs on disability in the near future as well. The official expressed regret that most of the heads of departments were not present at the event while emphasizing that they are the most important stake holders and should actively come forward for such programmes.
Delivering the keynote address, former state commissioner for PwDs Diethono Nakhro termed accessibility as a human right. She highlighted that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) makes this crystal clear, and India, as a signatory of the UNCRPD, also reaffirms it with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016.
Stating that access to physical spaces, digital information, communication, education, and public services is not optional, Nakhro maintained that it is fundamental to equality, dignity, and participation in society.
While talking about how accessibility removes barriers, she pointed out that accessibility is not only about the law, but about people. “It’s about removing barriers and unlocking the possible for people who are blocked by these barriers,” she said.
Nakhro stated that disabled people are like everyone – they have dreams, goals, desires, plans and many thigs they want to do, but the difference between disabled people and non-disabled people is that disabled people often do not get the opportunity to do things they want to do or are capable of doing because the world is not built for disabled people.
Touching upon the education sector, she said like all children, children with disabilities need quality education to develop their skills and realise their full potential. But most children with disabilities are unable to get a proper education because our education is not accessible- inaccessible buildings and classrooms; textbooks and curriculum are not accessible; teachers are not trained.
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“We have many laws and provisions in the country that says that all children, including disabled children, but our children with disabilities are still being left out of our education system because we are still not doing enough to make our education accessible to all. And this is why accessibility is so important,” the resource person said.
Sharing on inclusivity, she said inclusion is about ensuring that everyone is included and has the same opportunities to succeed.
Disabled people are often left out just because they’re different, she stated, adding that words like “inclusive” and “inclusion” have become fashionable these days – people hear it in speeches of politicians, society leaders, government officials, and so on – but if one is not actively thinking about and taking action on accessibility, there can never be inclusion.
Nakhro also highlighted the RPwD Act 2016 which provides protection to all people with disabilities against discrimination and also promotes equal opportunity and accessibility.
The Act lays down various provisions on the rights of disabled people to education, employment and livelihood, to health, rehabilitation, sports, social life etc. and these laws have been put in place to enable people with disabilities to fully participate in all aspects of life as equal citizens.
Asserting that people can talk endlessly about disability inclusion in all these – education, employment livelihood, sports, social life, and so on, but Nakhro pointed out that without accessibility, it is just empty talk.
“We can talk about the right to education – but what good is that right if the classroom is up a flight of stairs and there’s no ramp? If the textbooks aren’t accessible and the teacher doesn’t know how to communicate with a deaf student? We can talk about employment and livelihood – but what happens when workplaces are not accessible? When job portals are unusable with screen readers? When employers are unwilling to accommodate different needs? When public transport isn’t accessible, how does a disabled person even reach their place of work? We can talk about sports and recreation – but when playgrounds, gyms, stadiums, and sports programmes are not designed inclusively, when there are no training facilities to train and groom them, people with disabilities are left out of the joy, health, and confidence that sports can bring, as well as the competition that they’re more than capable of.
We can talk about friendship, love, and social life — but when cafés and restaurants, public spaces and events, and even homes are inaccessible, disabled people are shut out of the relationships and shared experiences that give life meaning,” she further stated.
She added that empowerment of disabled people cannot be separated with accessibility, which is not just about physical spaces, but about mindsets, digital platforms, communication, services, and policies.
Throughout the program, sign language interpretation was provided by Ruokuokhrienuo Vizotha, ensuring accessibility for the hearing-impaired attendees.
The event was chaired by SCPD program officer Viketukho Nakhro and began with an invocation prayer by pastor of the Angami Baptist Church Phek Town Thepfuneizo Yhor.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by SCPD program coordinator Ashe Kiba, who expressed gratitude to all the participants, and requested them to carry the essence of the program beyond the gathering not only in conversation but also in action to include everyone, leaving no one behind
