The Supreme Court of India has issued a landmark ruling affirming that digital access is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. This decision mandates that digital platforms and services be made accessible to all citizens, particularly persons with disabilities (PwDs), including acid attack survivors and individuals with visual impairments.

Key Directives from the Supreme Court:

1. Inclusive eKYC Processes: The Court has directed that Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures be revised to accommodate individuals with disabilities. This includes eliminating requirements such as eye-blinking for identity verification, which can be challenging for some PwDs.
2. Adherence to Accessibility Standards: All digital services, including those in banking, telecommunications, and government portals, must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This ensures that websites and applications are navigable and usable by individuals with various disabilities.
3. Appointment of Nodal Officers: Each department is required to designate a nodal officer responsible for overseeing digital accessibility compliance. These officers will ensure that accessibility standards are implemented and maintained across digital platforms.
4. Regular Accessibility Audits: Organizations must conduct periodic accessibility audits performed by certified professionals. These audits will assess the usability of digital services for PwDs and recommend necessary improvements.
5. Inclusive Design Practices: PwDs should be involved in the user acceptance testing phases of digital service development. This participatory approach ensures that the unique needs of PwDs are considered and addressed in the design process.

This ruling places a constitutional obligation on both public and private entities to ensure digital inclusivity. Failure to comply with these directives could result in legal challenges and reputational damage. Organizations are encouraged to proactively assess and enhance the accessibility of their digital platforms to align with the Supreme Court’s mandates.

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