Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has seen transformative strides toward empowering women with disabilities. With the backing of key national initiatives like ‘Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan’ and ‘Digital India’, combined with the state’s own progressive policies, CM Yogi is committed to creating inclusive opportunities for women with disabilities.

Central to this vision is the Yogi government’s 4% reservation policy, which has paved the way for more than 300,000 government jobs for people with disabilities, especially women.

Government’s Reservation Policy Boosts Job Opportunities

Since 2017, CM Yogi implemented a 4% reservation for persons with disabilities in line with the ‘Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016’. This move was a significant leap from the 3% horizontal reservation in place earlier, under the 1995 Act. The policy has led to a remarkable 300,000+ government job opportunities, with a substantial number of women benefiting from these positions. This policy reflects the state’s commitment to fostering employment and financial independence for women with disabilities.

Inclusive Education and Digital Skill Development

Uttar Pradesh’s approach to education for persons with disabilities has also seen a major overhaul. Before 2017, enrollment rates for children with disabilities in special education programs were dismally low. However, CM Yogi’s government has set up 1,403 ‘Special Schools’ across the state, with a 50% enrollment of girls.

These schools focus not only on academic education but also on imparting digital literacy, with courses in computer skills, mobile applications, and online learning. Girls with disabilities in districts like Chitrakoot are successfully undertaking IT courses via e-learning platforms, an initiative that was once unthinkable.

Improved Accessibility and Digital Services

One of the key areas of progress under the Yogi government is the enhanced accessibility in government buildings. Following the ‘Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan’ initiative launched by the Central Government, the Yogi government has prioritized making state government buildings more accessible. Currently, 271 out of 278 government buildings are equipped with ramps, elevators, and Braille signage, offering better access to persons with disabilities.

On the digital front, the state has revamped its government websites, redesigning 44 of them to comply with WCAG-2.1 standards, making them more accessible to visually impaired users. Additionally, the ‘Divyang Pension Portal’ now supports voice commands, easing pension access for rural women with disabilities.

Vision for Digital Literacy by 2026

The Yogi government’s ambitious goal is to make all women with disabilities in Uttar Pradesh digitally literate by 2026. Digital literacy initiatives are already gaining momentum, with over 200 women learning e-commerce and freelancing at a digital training center in Lucknow. These efforts, combined with improved accessibility and education, are helping lay a strong foundation for a truly inclusive society in Uttar Pradesh.

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