Accessibility Statement

Last updated: March 2026

ProjectSarthi is committed to making government scheme information accessible to all Indian citizens, including people with disabilities. We believe that every citizen deserves equal access to information about the welfare benefits they are entitled to, regardless of ability.

Our Accessibility Standards

We strive to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. While we are continuously working towards full compliance, we have implemented the following accessibility features across our website.

Structure and Navigation

Semantic HTML headings (H1 through H4) are used consistently across all pages to provide clear document structure. Breadcrumb navigation is available on every page so users always know their location within the site. Keyboard navigation is supported throughout the website, including the main menu, scheme filters, tab interfaces on scheme pages, and community forum. Skip-to-content functionality is available for screen reader users. A consistent navigation structure is maintained across all page types (schemes, scholarships, fellowships, blog posts). The mobile bottom navigation bar provides quick access to major sections on smaller screens.

Readability and Visual Design

Text contrast ratios meet WCAG AA minimum requirements for normal and large text. Body text uses a minimum font size of 14px on mobile and 15px on desktop for comfortable reading. Content is written in simplified language, with Hinglish (Devanagari mixed with Roman English) for Hindi belt audiences and clear English for pan-India audiences, making complex government language easier to understand. Important information such as deadlines, eligibility criteria, and benefit amounts is highlighted with visual indicators. Pages use adequate line spacing (1.7 line-height) for comfortable reading.

Scheme Pages

Each scheme page uses a tabbed interface (Overview, Eligibility, Benefits, How to Apply, Documents, FAQs, Details) to organize information into manageable sections. Quick Eligibility Check tables in the sidebar provide at-a-glance eligibility information (gender, age, category, income limit). Official source links are clearly labeled and open in new tabs. Key Dates sections show deadline countdowns for time-sensitive schemes. Related Schemes sections help users discover similar or alternative schemes.

Images and Media

All informational images include descriptive alt text. Decorative images are marked appropriately so screen readers skip them. Images are responsive and scale appropriately across all screen sizes. We use WebP format with appropriate fallbacks for optimal loading performance.

Tools and Calculators

Our financial calculators (SSY, NPS, SIP, EMI, PPF) use labeled form inputs and provide results in text format. Our Scheme Finder and eligibility filter tools use labeled dropdowns and buttons. All interactive tools function with keyboard navigation. Calculator results are displayed as readable text, not images.

Community Forum

Community Q&A posts use clear text formatting. User-submitted questions and answers are displayed in readable, structured format. The “Ask Now” buttons are clearly labeled and accessible.

Known Limitations

Some older scheme pages imported from government databases may have formatting inconsistencies that we are progressively improving. Some third-party embedded content (advertisements via Google AdSense) may not fully meet accessibility standards as they are controlled by external providers. PDF documents linked from official government sources may not always be fully accessible, as we do not control their formatting.

Assistive Technology Compatibility

ProjectSarthi is designed to be compatible with common assistive technologies including screen readers (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack), screen magnification tools, voice recognition software, and keyboard-only navigation.

Browser Support

ProjectSarthi is optimized for the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Samsung Internet on both desktop and mobile devices. The website is fully responsive and provides a mobile-first experience.

Reporting Accessibility Issues

If you encounter any difficulty using ProjectSarthi, or if any content is not accessible to you, please contact us. We take accessibility feedback seriously and will work to resolve issues promptly.

Email [email protected] with: the page URL where you experienced the issue, a description of the problem you encountered, the assistive technology you are using (if applicable), and your device and browser information (if known).

We aim to acknowledge accessibility reports within 48 hours and provide a resolution or workaround within 7 business days.

Continuous Improvement

Accessibility is an ongoing effort. We regularly review and improve our website’s accessibility as we add new features and content. Our development team considers accessibility at every stage of design and implementation. If you have suggestions for improving accessibility on ProjectSarthi, we welcome your feedback at [email protected].

Contact

For accessibility-related questions, issues, or suggestions: [email protected]