People of Indian origin in the US are living in historic times where Microsoft CEO, Google CEO and several other CEOs are of Indian origin. Specifically in Silicon Valley, we have a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, Venture capitalists and large pool of technocrats with Indian origin, who are working on transforming our world through technology solutions. To leverage and channelize these Indian strengths in a global market, Indian PM Narendra Modi has launched Digital India to apply technology to solve our problems in India.
There are hundreds of companies in the US including Microsoft, who are operating in Assistive Technology sector, developing new products, innovation to help visually impaired or autistic children and address many types of disabilities to enable them live independently and empower them to live with dignity. In last 25 years, thousands of products have come out in the market and competition is increasing however the products are still highly unaffordable by large population in India and around the globe.
Disability is highly ignored social issue in our Indian society. Our 21st century Indian society is yet to become fully inclusive, accessible, respectful of rights of 70 MN people with disabilities, provide them opportunities and accept them into main stream society.
Traditional perspective of welfare and charity is not sustainable. Fortunately current The Indian Government, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, has shown tremendous commitment to address some of the core issues of Accessibility, Education, Employment for People with Disability through 7 stated goals of his Government, such as e-learning, accessibility provisions, comprehensive rights bill, special funding for skill development of Specially Abled People etc.
This indicates a huge “untapped” market opportunity for innovations to bring the cost down to capture not only Indian market but global market of approx 1 BN people with disabilities. Google Foundation and similar other CSR initiatives are specifically looking for ideas and opportunities to fund and promote Assistive Technology sector.
Competition has already started from China with large allocation of resources by the Chinese Govt. and if India does it with speed and scale, we can also tap into this huge opportunity on the strength of its tremendous skills in terms of pool of technocrats both in the US and in India supported by IITs and successful Indian origin community of Silicon Valley. For example, we can help millions of Indian students by developing mobile apps or web based learning solutions, resources as part of e-learning initiatives with HRD ministry. We can develop tool to test all websites and upgrade them to make compliant to accessibility standards.
We at Voice of Specially Abled People are relentlessly pursuing Govt. of India and its Commerce ministry, Social Justice and Empowerment (Disability Department) Ministry, HRD (education) Ministry and several state govt. to come up with the policy and plan to invite Assistive Technology companies to India and provide incentives to do business in India so not only we create jobs and take care of our Specially Abled People but also tap into large economic opportunity linked to 1 BN population worldwide.
Our efforts are further strengthened by the support from USIBC (US India Business Council) as they have clearly identified this as is one of the areas between the US and India where bilateral trade can be promoted, US companies can look at Indian advantages, market opportunities and achieve the scale to expand globally. There are several options to promote innovation in collaboration with IITs, provide technology know how to Indian companies, start operations in India, consider partnership projects with Govt. undertaking etc.
We are also working through several chambers of commerce in India and other trade organizations (National HRD Network, FICCI etc.) to promote employment of People with Disabilities as there are thousands of Assistive Technology and ICT products available in the market because of technology innovations that enabled them to perform the jobs. There is a much larger economic benefit and impact for companies when they hire Specially Abled Person through upfront investment into Assistive Technology products and solutions.
With the visit of PM Narendra Modi to Silicon Valley to inspire and invite technology leaders to look at opportunities with Digital India, Make in India initiatives, we believe that it is a historic opportunity for investors, innovators and social entrepreneurs of Silicon Valley to look at Assistive Technology sector for achieving economic as well social goals, contribute in nation building and strengthen our PM’s vision of Digital India.
We hope that as an impact of the visit and Digital Dinner with IT business leaders of Silicon Valley, we will see a rise in the contribution of Silicon Valley towards Assistive Technology led Empowerment agenda of Specially Abled People of India.
Voice of Specially Abeld People is a group of volunteers and we welcome suggestions from the readers to strengthen the cause and Empower millions of Specially Abled People in India. You can email us at pmvisit@voiceofsap.com
About Author
Pranav Desai is a founder of Voice of Specially Abled People (www.voiceofsap.com) and and IT business executive in California, USA. His vision of “Accessible India Campaign” published on NITI central on Sept 23, 2014 has resulted into its launch by Govt. of India.
Pranav Desai
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