Inaugurated by Shri Sanjay Shirsat, Maharashtra’s Minister for Social Justice and Special Assistance, the workshop brought together key policymakers, global agencies, and innovators to discuss ways to scale up access, innovation, and domestic manufacturing of Assistive Technology (AT) for persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other marginalized communities.

Dr. V.K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, emphasized the need for a robust AT ecosystem to achieve India’s Vision@2047, highlighting its role in ensuring social equity. “A strong assistive technology ecosystem is critical to achieve inclusivity and dignity for all,” he said.

Three Sessions, One Common Goal: Inclusion Through Technology

The day-long event featured three thematic sessions:

Access to Assistive Technology in India: The first session explored how government policies, inter-sectoral collaboration, and targeted initiatives are expanding access to AT for those who need it most.

State-Level Initiatives: Officials from Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu shared best practices on localized policy interventions and public-private partnerships that are enhancing AT delivery across the country.

AT Manufacturing and Global Collaborations: This session underlined the importance of strengthening India's domestic AT manufacturing base. Stakeholders from WHO, UNDP, World Bank, ATscale (UNOPS), AssisTech Foundation, and Tynor discussed how global partnerships can accelerate India’s aspiration to become a hub for AT innovation.

Inclusive India by 2047

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale, addressed the closing session and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a society where technology bridges the gap for all.

The insights and recommendations from the workshop are expected to inform national policy and strategy, laying the groundwork for an inclusive, innovation-driven ecosystem in assistive technology aligned with the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.