Our Programmes Lead, Srinidhi Raghavan was invited to a virtual consultation on disability justice and digital accountability, convened on July 23, 2025, by Point of View. The session brought together 25 attendees – a diverse group of disability rights activists and organisations working across disability justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, feminist internet principles, and digital rights from all over India.
The consultation emerged from a growing concern that social media platforms, particularly those owned by Meta (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp), are not only failing disabled users but are actively contributing to harm across the Global South. While these platforms were envisioned as tools for connection and community-building, they often silence disabled voices, enable harassment, and amplify misinformation.
Srinidhi’s intervention focussed on the need for accountability moving beyond focus on accessibility features. While essential, they are insufficient on their own. Instead, we need to examine how violence occurs on these platforms – harassment, disinformation, or neglect – and to question whether existing reporting processes are truly disability-inclusive. She also questioned whether disability is adequately recognised as a factor in how users are harmed online.
The consultation served as a critical step toward building a cross-movement alliance to develop shared priorities, strategies, and demands to the platforms.
This collective effort aims to push for stronger accountability from platforms and ensure that the lived experiences of marginalised communities are centred in shaping safer, more inclusive digital spaces.