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The Compendium provides a purview of the technologies that are need of the hour and exemplifies the effort of many researchers and investigators who had put in countless hours for development of these technologies. Details of few assistive devices developed by grassroots innovators were also given in the compendium. We would like to thank them for their scientific contributions. We place on record our sincere gratitude to the Committee of Secretaries for identifying the TIDE programme for promoting technological innovations for the benefit of PwDs and also members of Programme Advisory and Monitoring Committee of TIDE who have guided, mentored and nurtured the programme over the years.
Disability, as referenced in various parts of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize equity and equality in education, growth and employment, accessibility of human settlements etc (Goals 4,8,10,11 &17). The technologies developed by DST facilitate achieving SDG’s by developing affordable technologies (assistive devices) for physical, social and economic inclusiveness. The TIDE programme also complements Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) and address various issues pertaining to rehabilitation of PWDs related to accessibility, mobility, ICT ecosystem etc.
Significant efforts were also made by different Ministries/Departments to habilitate and rehabilitate Divyangjan in terms of physical, social and economic aspects through various government schemes, rehabilitation services, vocational training, skill development courses including special education agencies, insurance companies charitable and nongovernmental organizations etc. The Department of Science and Technology through its TIDE Programme is making continuous efforts by developing affordable and adaptable assistive technologies for rehabilitation of persons with various disabilities. DST in collaboration with DoEPwD and its autonomous R&D Institutions is in the process of developing new technologies including commercializing few technologies developed under TIDE Programme for the benefit of Divyangjan. Though over a period, numerous strides had been made, but the process is an ongoing, arduous one and a lot more is yet out there to discover, innovate, and create.