SEBI Mandates Digital Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities, Effective July 31, 2025

CHANDIGARH, India - Aug. 16, 2025 - PRLog -- The mandate, outlined in circular number SEBI/HO/ITD-1/ITD_VIAP/P/CIR/2025/111, comes into effect on July 31, 2025, and aligns with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Key Requirements of the SEBI Mandate

• Compliance with Accessibility Standards: Regulated entities must follow the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, and other relevant accessibility norms.
• Inventory of Digital Platforms: REs must submit a complete list of their digital platforms—including websites, mobile applications, and other interfaces—within one month of the circular's issuance.
• Accessibility Audits: All platforms will undergo accessibility audits, with timelines for both completion and fixing identified issues.
• Appointment of Accessibility Experts: Only IAAP-certified (International Association of Accessibility Professionals) experts can serve as accessibility auditors.
• User-Friendly Features: Digital platforms must integrate inclusive features such as Indian Sign Language (ISL) videos, captions, descriptive audio, alternative text for images, and accessible PDFs.
• Grievance Redressal: A dedicated mechanism must be in place to handle accessibility-related complaints, with clear escalation procedures.
• Ongoing Compliance: Annual audits and progress reports will be mandatory to ensure continued adherence to accessibility norms.

Examples of Inclusive Practices

• KYC explainer videos with ISL interpretation and subtitles.
• Digital KYC processes offering human-assisted video calls or voice support.
• Alternative text for images and captions for videos.
• Fully accessible PDF documents.

Implementation Timeline

• Within 1 month: Submit digital platform list and initial compliance report.
• Within 45 days: Appoint IAAP-certified accessibility professionals.
• Within 3 months: Conduct accessibility audits.
• Within 6 months: Complete all remediation and achieve full compliance.

A Step Towards an Inclusive Financial Ecosystem

SEBI's directive is a significant step in ensuring that individuals with disabilities have equal access to financial services, information, and digital platforms. By mandating clear timelines and strict compliance requirements, the regulator aims to foster a culture of accessibility and inclusivity across India's financial sector.

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