Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, Department of Telecommunications Central Public Information Officer Shri H.C.

Jayal, Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India, Room No.307, Sanchar Bhawan, 20, Ashoka Road, New Delhi Tel.No. 23036881, 23372446 http://www.dot.gov.in/ | http://www.dot.gov.in/rti/rti.htm 1. This RTI application seeks information about policies, proposals, guidelines and official press releases and recommendations released by the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, in the area of Web and Digital Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in Museums Across India. 2. With reference to: National Disability Policy (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, 1993), where in, all public spaces, venues and state institutions and avenues are mandated to accommodate accessibility for persons with disabilities this includes web and digital accessibility. 3. Accessibility in public spaces also includes museums (government, state, special), heritage spaces, art galleries, archival centers and archaeological sites of public interest.

Questions for Department of Telecommunications under the Right to Information Act, 2005 Would the Department please provide information in soft copy for the time period between 1991 2011 for the following requests: Proposal, guidelines and recommendations undertaken by state governments of India to achieve web and digital accessibility, new media integration and technology upgrades to exhibits in museums for the benefit of persons with disabilities. Name, contact addresses and designation of Department employees in-charge of proposing guidelines and recommendations for web accessibility initiatives for persons with disabilities specifically for cultural institutions, heritage buildings, schools, art galleries and libraries in India. Minutes of Meetings held by the Department to discuss web accessibility in Indias cultural sector. Transcripts of meetings and interviews held between the Department and other Ministries (Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Social Justice, National Human Rights Commission) to discuss web and digital accessibility in public spaces and public institutions in India. Details of conferences organized by the Department and the Ministry of ICT to discuss web and digital accessibility in Indias cultural spaces: museums, art galleries, heritage sites, ASI sites, libraries and schools. Names of the conference and the organizing committees. Details of the web and digital accessibility features, devices, adaptive technology incorporated in museums across India. Does the Department take initiatives in proposing digital accessibility features in cultural spaces? Details of agreements signed between the Ministry and private sector organizations that manufacture accessible products, digital devices and adaptive technology devices for

persons with disabilities. Please furnish the list of these companies and where these devices are being used in museums across India Details of personnel and Ministry employees (names, designations) who have attended workshops and conferences that educate about accessibility in museums. Please provide details of these conferences name of conference, place, date/ duration. What are the specific provisions in the National Disability Policy that addresses web and digital accessibility for persons with disabilities? Please give us information on all the web accessibility initiatives, awareness campaigns and policy directives undertaken by the Ministry of ICT Digital Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities involves incorporating technology, interactive exhibits, sign language tours, audio and video tours and other accessible features for the blind and deaf museum visitors. Does the Ministry conduct surveys, research, study or other campaigns to gather latest information on these? Information and reports of official complaints, recommendations and notices forwarded to the Ministry by Indian NGOs regarding web and digital accessibility in Public Spaces for persons with disabilities. What is the recommendation of NGOs on how to improve web accessibility in cultural spaces for persons with disabilities, very specifically in museums, art galleries, libraries and heritage spaces (including ASI, India sites). Do you have any reports? Do State Museums in India have a special / exclusive department that handles issues of accessibility and technology for visitors? Do they coordinate with the Department of Telecom? Are any of the accessibility directives in the National Disability Policy applicable to Museums in India? How do museums enforce the National Disability Policy Guidelines for providing web and digital access to PWD? Does the Ministry publish information pertaining to web accessibility in the public domain to raise awareness among the public? Does the Ministry public pamphlets, brochures, notices and newspaper articles regarding digital accessibility in the public domain to raise awareness in the public? Can we have access to these materials for the period between 1993 and 2012? Is the printed information in accessible formats Braille, DAISY?