In their daily lives, individuals with disabilities encounter discrimination and a loss of dignity. According to the 2011 Census, there are 68 crore individuals with disabilities in India, comprising 2.21% of the country’s total population. However, the World Health Organization reports that 15% of the world’s population faces some form of disability. Among those with disabilities in India, men make up 56%, while women comprise the remaining 44%. Disabilities may include visual, hearing, speech, locomotors, and mental impairments.
The Indian Constitution guarantees the equality, freedom, justice, and dignity of all individuals, and implicitly calls for an inclusive society that includes people with disabilities. The State Governments have the primary responsibility for empowering individuals with disabilities, in accordance with the Constitution. India has also signed the Declaration on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asia Pacific.
Article 41 of the Indian Constitution mandates that the state must make effective provisions to secure the right to education, work, and public assistance for people with disabilities, within the constraints of its economic capacity and level of development. The Constitution assigns direct responsibility for the empowerment of individuals with disabilities to the State Governments in the schedule of subjects.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed every year on December 3rd to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and to raise awareness about the challenges faced by them in their daily lives. The day also aims to mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. It was first observed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly and is celebrated worldwide with various events and activities.
Each year, the day has a specific theme related to disability rights and inclusion. For example, the theme for 2021 is “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities for an inclusive, accessible, and sustainable post COVID-19 world”. The day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of persons with disabilities and to work towards creating a more inclusive and accessible society for all.
Issues faced by PwD
| Challenges | Description |
| Isolation | Historically, disabled people have been pitied, ignored, vilified, and hidden away in institutions due to society’s misperception that they are not normal. |
| Discrimination | Discrimination against disabled people still exists in important areas such as employment, housing, and basic rights, though there have been some positive changes through adjustments in legislation and public attitudes. |
| Infrastructure | Infrastructure is a major challenge for disabled people in India due to problems related to the design of vehicles, public and private buildings being built without proper provisions for disabled-friendly access, and the absence of disabled-friendly toilets, stairs, and other basic infrastructure in public buildings. |
| Limited monitoring capacity | The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) is the nodal department for issues concerning PwDs at the national level, but many of its schemes have a small allocation and limited monitoring capacity, making implementation through NGOs a major challenge. |
Government Initiatives
The Government of India has taken various initiatives for the empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities, including:
- The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: This act replaced the earlier Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, and provides for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and their inclusion in society.
- Accessible India Campaign: This campaign aims to make public spaces, transport systems, and information and communication technologies accessible to persons with disabilities.
- Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan: This scheme is aimed at achieving universal accessibility in the built environment, public transportation, and information and communication technologies.
- National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC): The NHFDC provides loans at concessional rates of interest to persons with disabilities for setting up self-employment ventures.
- Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) Scheme: This scheme provides financial assistance to persons with disabilities for the purchase of assistive devices such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, and artificial limbs.
- Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS): This scheme provides financial assistance to NGOs for the rehabilitation and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
- Scholarship Schemes: The government provides scholarships for persons with disabilities to pursue education at various levels, including pre-matric, post-matric, and higher education.
These initiatives by the Government of India are aimed at promoting the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities in society.
SDGs related to PwD
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include several targets related to persons with disabilities. These goals aim to promote social inclusion, economic empowerment, and accessibility for persons with disabilities. Here are some examples:
- Goal 1: No Poverty – Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being – Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
- Goal 4: Quality Education – Target 4.5: Eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations.
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities – Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, particularly for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Target 17.18: By 2020, enhance capacity-building support to developing countries, including for least developed countries and small island developing States, to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts.
These goals provide a framework for governments and organizations to work towards creating an inclusive and accessible society for persons with disabilities.
Accessible India Campaign
The Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) is a flagship program of the Government of India launched on 3 December 2015, on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The campaign aims to make public places and transport accessible to persons with disabilities. Some of the key objectives of the campaign are:
- Making public spaces accessible: The campaign aims to make all government buildings, public spaces like parks, airports, railway stations, and public transport fully accessible to persons with disabilities.
- Sensitizing people towards disabilities: The campaign also aims to sensitize people towards disabilities and encourage them to make the necessary changes in their surroundings to create a more inclusive environment.
- Encouraging private sector participation: The campaign also seeks the participation of the private sector in making their workplaces and public spaces accessible to persons with disabilities.
- Setting up of Accessibility Index: The campaign also seeks to develop an Accessibility Index to measure the accessibility of public spaces and transport for persons with disabilities.
To achieve these objectives, the government has initiated various measures like providing financial assistance to states, conducting audits of government buildings and public spaces, creating accessible websites, and providing assistive devices to persons with disabilities. The campaign has been a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for persons with disabilities in India.
FAQs
1. Who are considered persons with disabilities (PWDs)?
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are individuals who have physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental impairments that may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. Disabilities can be congenital or acquired and vary in severity.
2. What is the meaning of “persons with disabilities”?
The term “persons with disabilities” refers to individuals who face limitations or challenges in their daily lives due to physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental impairments. It emphasizes the need for society to be inclusive and accommodating to ensure equal opportunities for all.
3. What is the Hindi translation of “persons with disabilities”?
In Hindi, “persons with disabilities” can be translated as “दिव्यांग व्यक्ति” (Divyang Vyakti) or “विकलांग व्यक्ति” (Vikalang Vyakti). Both terms are commonly used to refer to individuals with disabilities in India.
4. How can individuals with disabilities register for benefits or assistance?
The process for registration of persons with disabilities can vary by country and region. In many places, individuals with disabilities can register with government authorities or disability-related organizations to access benefits and support services. It is advisable to contact local disability service centers or government departments responsible for disability affairs to inquire about the registration process and available assistance.
5. What is the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995?
The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights, and Full Participation) Act, 1995 is a significant legislation in India that aims to protect and promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It provides for various provisions, including reservations in education and employment, non-discrimination, accessibility, and social inclusion. This act has been instrumental in advancing the rights and opportunities of PWDs in India.
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