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‘Guidelines for Indian Government Websites’
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016), section 12.
Such Committees have been set up at a few District Courts. For example, the Khowai District Court (Tripura) and the Agartala District Court (Tripura) have both set up Accessibility Committees. See:
and
Harmonised Guidelines 2021, p. 260, section 5.1.
Harmonised Guidelines 2021, section 5.2, p. 263.
Harmonised Guidelines 2021, p. 263, section 5.2.
Harmonised Guidelines 2021, pp. 50-51, section 2.7.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016;
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017;
Accessibility Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (“GIGW”);
Any other relevant national, state-level and district-level applicable regulations.
Physical accessibility, encompassing entrances, ramps, elevators, restrooms, and tactile indicators;
Accessibility of documents and information, ensuring availability in Braille, large print, and digital formats;
Accessibility of transportation options, proximity to public transit, and availability of accessible parking;
Provision of assistive technology, including screen readers, magnifiers, and hearing loop systems;
Accessibility of communication regarding the Court processes, including sign language interpreters and captioning services;
Sensory considerations, such as lighting, acoustics, and tactile indicators;
Accommodation for cognitive disabilities, including simplified language options and comprehension support;
Emergency evacuation procedures tailored for Persons with Disabilities, with clear signage and staff training;
Inclusive policies and procedures, offering flexibility and support for support persons and service animals; and
Staff training requirements for disability awareness and assistance. For further details, please refer to
Section 5.1.B.
Analysing the applicable disability (bye-)laws with inputs from disability rights experts.
Key legislations include:
Undertaking a detailed accessibility assessment by engaging third-party agencies
including representatives from disability communities. Interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys should be conducted as part of the assessment to gather insights into the unique challenges Persons with Disabilities encounter when accessing Court facilities.
The following factors must be considered for the comprehensive accessibility assessment of a Court Complex:
For further details on a comprehensive list of accessibility measures to be incorporated in a Court Complex, please refer to
Annexure 6.
Based on the detailed requirement assessment,
preparing a detailed Action Plan
outlining the specific manageable steps, responsibilities, timelines, resources and budget for incorporating the accessibility tools within the Court Complex, in line with the statutory requirement to ensure that Court Complexes are accessible.
The Action Plan should take into consideration short-term and long-term objectives, as well as interim milestones for tracking progress during implementation.
Identifying Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (“SMART”) goals in the Action Plan
to prepare a focused and effective approach to improving accessibility in the District Court Complexes. The SMART goals should align with universal design principles with an emphasis on inclusivity beyond mere compliance, considering factors like diverse disabilities, geographical spread, and resource limitations.
Incorporating a consistent monitoring and feedback mechanism
to guarantee continuous enhancement in addressing various needs and eliminating barriers in the Court system. The Plan should include metrics to assess progress, such as implemented features and user satisfaction. For further details on the monitoring mechanisms, please refer to
Section 6.
Periodically reviewing and updating the Accessibility Plan
based on the stakeholder consultations, to identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with updated standards and regulations. The feedback mechanism should include direct communication channels for Persons with Disabilities to provide input.
Conducting accessibility audits of existing Court buildings to identify physical barriers, including factors such as lighting, acoustics, and seating arrangements which hinder environments conducive to diverse disabilities.
Prioritising retrofitting and modifications to ensure wheelchair ramps, handrails, accessible parking, signage, and elevators are in place.
Ensuring that the facilities provided within the Court Complex comply with standards for accessible design and construction as per the applicable guidelines and standards.
Developing protocols for providing Court documents, forms, and information in accessible formats such as Braille, large print and electronic text.
Establishing assistive technology centres, including the e-Seva Kendra (
PART C, 2.8.A
) within the Court premises equipped with screen readers, magnifiers, Braille displays, and other tools.
Developing user-friendly guides and resources in multiple languages to assist individuals with limited English proficiency or non-native speakers navigating Court procedures.
Providing accessible communication channels for inquiries and requests, such as dedicated phone lines or email addresses for accessibility-related concerns.
Training Court personnel on assisting Persons with Disabilities and providing reasonable accommodations during Court proceedings.
Collaborating with community organisations and disability advocacy groups to distribute information and raise awareness about available accessibility services and resources within the Court Complex.
Assessing the accessibility of Court websites, online forms, electronic documents, and other communication channels.
Incorporating technology solutions to facilitate the creation and dissemination of accessible documents.
Implementing design standards and accessibility features as per applicable standards such as alternative text for images, keyboard navigation, and screen reader compatibility.
Implementing online accessibility features for Court websites, and ensuring compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies.
Exploring partnerships with organisations specialising in accessibility services to leverage expertise and resources.
Providing training for web developers, content creators, and IT staff on accessible design principles and techniques.
Conducting public awareness campaigns to educate about disability rights and accessibility features in District Courts in collaboration with District Legal Services Authorities (
PART C, Section 2.8.B.
Engaging with marginalised communities, including rural populations and tribal communities, to ensure that accessibility initiatives are inclusive and reach all segments of society.
Organising sensitisation workshops for Judges, lawyers, and Court Staff to promote inclusivity. For further details, please refer to
Improving Physical Accessibility
Providing Accessible Information and Services
Enhancing Digital Accessibility
Promoting Awareness, Sensitisation, Inclusive Outreach and Engagement
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Readability
Navigation Systems
Directional Signs
have a key purpose in providing wayfinding information to navigate in or around a physical environment. Arrow heads with travel routes at specific locations must be used to aid in wayfinding for diverse user groups.
Information Signs
help in orientation in a built environment by indicating specific locations within the Court Complex. This includes signs such as “You are Here” labels along with other building identification signs such as zone identification in public buildings or transportation hubs.
Identification Signs
should be used to display necessary information to users enabling them to identify a specific facility or location in built environments. For example, an accessible washroom facility may be identified within the Court Complex by an accessibility sign outside the facility.
Instructive or Advisory Signs
include signage that provide diverse types of instructions for carying out certain tasks or providing information regarding human behaviour aspects in built environments.
Health, Safety & Emergency Signs
include signage demarcating equipment for health emergencies or safety issues like evacuation routes, etc., Such signage should be provided within the Court Complex to perform life saving roles in the context of a built environment.
The signage should complement the interior decor, maintaining a professional and uniform appearance throughout the Court Complex.
To ensure consistency, continuity should be maintained with the signage supplier, as internal changes are inevitable, and using the same type for new signs is preferable.
Hand-lettered signs should only be used as a very temporary measure and avoided otherwise.
A holistic strategy should be implemented for information and wayfinding accessibility within the Court Complex, and should be integrated as a fundamental component.
Depending on the purposes it serves, the following types of signage may be used within a Court Complex:
Prominent directional and informational signs should be used throughout the Court Complex.
Directory and schematic diagrams, detailing all spaces within the building, should be prominently located near each major public entrance and on every floor of the Court Complex.
Additionally, key signage including Courtroom identification name and numbers, officials' names and titles, identifying markers, warnings for restricted access areas, directional signs with arrows, indicators for Persons with Disabilities services, quiet rooms, washroom and drinking water facilities, canteen, waiting areas and brief procedural guides should be provided.
Interactive touch screen display kiosks placed in the lobby or other areas within the building can also serve to offer directional guidance and provide additional information regarding the building or specific cases.
A clear floor space of
900 x 1200 mm
must be provided to ensure that the kiosks are accessible. The slot space must be provided at a height of
1200 mm
or lower for convenient access.
The kiosks must display messages in a comprehensive voice guidance system in multiple languages, Text-to-Speech capability, braille integration, audio description for visual content, closed captioning for video content, audible alerts, high contrast display, and customizable font size and type.
The kiosks should have raised numbers on operating buttons for tactile feedback and use contrasting colours for better visibility. A visual and acoustic system must be incorporated to indicate validation of access to the service.
The Kiosk should also be equipped to provide real-time captioning for live events and provide accessible documents in alternative formats for Persons with Disabilities.
All text displayed on the screen should be of sufficient size and contrast to be easily readable by persons with visual impairments.
A staffed
Information Desk
should be positioned in a prominently visible area near the primary entrance, situated just within the security perimeter.
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PART D – IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING & EVALUATION
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACCESSIBILITY AND NAVIGATION PLAN
3.1.
Accessibility Plan
It is essential to develop an effective accessibility plan which provides a comprehensive and multi-dimensional strategy to address the physical and communication barriers as well as deeply ingrained preconceptions and biases toward accessibility. In addition to implementing physical accessibility features like ramps, elevators, and other facilities, and ensuring communication access through alternative document formats, the plan should also focus on addressing attitudinal barriers.
The following steps must be undertaken by the High Courts to develop the Accessibility Plan for District Courts under their jurisdiction:
The Accessibility app recommended in this Handbook may be used to gather feedback on the accessibility measures incorporated throughout the Court Complex and the on-ground usability of the same. For further details of the proposed app, please refer to
Annexure 9.
An Accessibility Committee should be constituted at the High Court with representatives from District Courts including Judges, staff and Advocates, members of the Public Works Departments and disability rights experts to prepare the Accessibility Plan and to formulate SoPs to ensure effective implementation.
SoPs may be prepared for the following:
3.2.
Wayfinding and Information Systems
It is essential to have a comprehensive wayfinding and information system within the Court Complex to ensure all users can navigate the various functions and processes effectively. Signages should be provided that incorporate various sensory modalities like visual, auditory, olfactory, and physical cues to improve the overall wayfinding experience within a space. Considering India's rich cultural diversity and the presence of a multilingual population, adopting a Universal Design approach becomes essential for creating an inclusive environment.
Ease of navigation around the environment largely depends on two factors: readability of the built environment; and navigation systems applied to the environment.
Provision should be made within the built environment of a Court Complex to allow individuals to easily interpret, understand, and orient themselves to the layout, landmarks, and directional cues, enabling smoother navigation. The effectiveness of the building usage information hinges on readability factors such as signage placement, lettering size, tactile features, visual contrast, and integration with other communication systems.
Navigation systems should be provided that complement the readability of the built environment of the Court Complex by providing additional guidance and information. These systems should include signage, maps, digital displays, or mobile applications which would help individuals navigate their surroundings effectively.
A. Components of an Accessible Wayfinding and Navigation System
From the perspective of users, the wayfinding process involves four stages:
The following aspects should be taken into consideration when designing the wayfinding and navigation systems within a Court Complex:
B. Components of Accessible Case Information Display Systems
The case display screens and information kiosks should be prominently located near each Courtroom and on every floor, specially in the waiting areas of the Court Complex. The following factors should be taken into consideration for designing the case display and information kiosks:
C. Applications for Ensuring Seamless Navigation within the Court Complex
Addressing and acknowledging the dynamically evolving needs of diverse user demographics and the progressions in technology, it is crucial to facilitate seamless accessibility and navigation within the physical space of a Court Complex. In this context, the development of an application ("app") is vital to provide all the users with the necessary resources and tools to navigate the Court Complex uninterruptedly and efficiently.
The app would provide users, including visitors, staff, Judges, lawyers, and Persons with Disabilities, with the tools that they need to navigate the Complex seamlessly. The app should be developed in collaboration with accessibility experts to ensure set standards of inclusivity for all users.
The app should be customised to meet diverse needs within the Court environment, emphasising robust security, adaptability to changing requirements, and continuous refinement through user feedback. With a focus on user-centric design, the app should aim to address the specific challenges faced by Court personnel, visitors, and Persons with Disabilities. Integration with emerging technologies enhances accessibility and navigation experiences within the Court Complex, providing users with a reliable and user-friendly tool for navigating the legal system.
For further information regarding the Key Features of the proposed app, please refer to
References
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