About: Sugamya Accessibility and Inclusion (OPC) Pvt. Ltd
Sugamya Accessibility & Inclusion OPC Pvt. Ltd. is a pioneering organization dedicated to advancing accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment for persons with disabilities across India. Founded and led by Suvarna Raj — an international para-athlete, national award winner, and UN SDG Action Awardee — Sugamya stands at the forefront of driving transformative change towards a barrier-free and inclusive society.
Empanelled by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Government of India, Sugamya specializes in conducting accessibility audits of public infrastructure, built environments, and government buildings, strictly adhering to the Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India. Our expert team evaluates physical spaces to ensure they are safe, navigable, and welcoming for persons with diverse disabilities.
In addition to the built environment, Sugamya is actively engaged in digital accessibility, offering audits and consulting services aligned with global standards such as WCAG 2.1, ADA, and Section 508. Our qualified professionals are committed to ensuring websites, mobile apps, and digital platforms are accessible, inclusive, and compliant with international best practices.
Driven by a deep understanding of disability rights and inclusive design, Sugamya combines technical expertise with lived experiences to deliver high-quality services, training, and solutions. Our mission is to create environments — both physical and digital — that enable independence, dignity, and equal opportunity for all.
Sugamya’s work is not just about compliance; it is about building a truly inclusive India where accessibility is seen as a fundamental right, not an afterthought.
Sugamya – Sugamya’s Accessibility Expertise
Sugamya Accessibility and Inclusion OPC Pvt. Ltd. is an empanelled organization under the Accessible India Campaign, recognized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. With extensive experience conducting over 150 accessibility audits, we ensure that organizations achieve compliance while creating a more inclusive digital experience.
Our Mission
Sugamya Accessibility is dedicated to creating inclusive and accessible environments for everyone.
Universal Design
An accessible or inclusive environment is one that can be used by everyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or disability. An accessible environment is built on the principles of Inclusive or Universal Design. Although universal design also applies for the design of products, information, communication and policy to be usable by a range of people operating in the widest range of situations without special or separate design, in our section on accessible environments we have provided general information only on built environments.
An accessible or inclusive environment is one that can be used by everyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or disability. An accessible environment is built on the principles of Inclusive or Universal Design. Although universal design also applies for the design of products, information, communication and policy to be usable by a range of people operating in the widest range of situations without special or separate design, in our section on accessible environments we have provided general information only on built environments.
Universal design is a philosophy of design that recognises, and attempts to accommodate the broadest possible spectrum of human ability in the design of all products and environments.
It requires sensitivity to, and knowledge about people of all ages and abilities. Sometimes referred to as “lifespan design” or “trans-generational design”, it encompasses and goes beyond the accessible, adaptable, and barrier-free design concepts of the past.
Universal design helps eliminate the need for special features and spaces for “special people” (for example, people with disabilities) which are often different-looking, more expensive and can be stigmatising.
Universal design is about ability, rather than disability. It encompasses designs for the full human life cycle, from beginning to end.
Concept of Good Design
A good design should enable every one including persons with reduced mobility to:
- Reach all places
- Enter all places
- Use all facilities
The 7 Principles of Universal Design
- Equitable Use: The design does not disadvantage or stigmatise any group of users.
- Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities
- Simple, Intuitive Use: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.
- Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
- Tolerance for Error: The design minimises hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
- Low Physical Effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably, and with a minimum of fatigue.
- Size and Space for Approach & Use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use, regardless of the user’s body size, posture, or mobility.