India Acknowledges Digital Access as a Fundamental Right

India's Supreme Court has recognized digital access as a fundamental right, highlighting the need to overcome accessibility hurdles for remote and differently-abled communities. This landmark judgement acknowledges digital access beyond just internet access, establishing it as a constitutional right under the right to life and liberty. Policy experts emphasize the importance of addressing challenges like declining tele-connectivity rates and affordability to achieve universal digital access. They suggest approaching the initiative through paper-based processes and reforming the Digital Bharat Nidhi to incentivize market development in underserved areas. Experts also stress the need for user-centric design, considering the perspectives of marginalized groups when developing digital applications. Technology designers should understand the context, governance, and development motivations behind the need for technology, rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all approach.