Despite living in a society that professes to support inclusion, individuals with disabilities (PwDs) still encounter persistent obstacles in areas such as education, job opportunities, accessibility, and societal acknowledgment.. Disability is not a personal tragedy; it is a result of environmental, social, and policy-level exclusion. Governments have the moral and constitutional responsibility to uphold the dignity, rights, and full participation of disabled persons, not through tokenism or pity, but through equity, investment, and representation.
India has made considerable progress in the last decade. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, increased the number of recognized disabilities from 7 to 21 and shifted the language from “welfare” to “empowerment” and “entitlement.” This is a landmark step in aligning with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which India is a signatory.
Programs such as:
- Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan),
- Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme,
- ADIP (Assistance to Disabled Persons for Aids and Appliances),
- and the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities reflect policy ambition. Recently, as per a 2024 press release from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, over 5.2 lakh beneficiaries have received assistive aids, demonstrating a commitment to physical empowerment.
Yet, implementation is inconsistent, urban-focused, and non-intersectional.
According to the MOSPI Social Statistics report, the literacy rate for individuals with disabilities in India stands at 54.5%, whereas the national average is 74%. Merely 36% of persons with disabilities (PwDs) are in employment, and an even smaller proportion experiences meaningful inclusion in formal economies. Public infrastructure, particularly in rural and peri-urban regions, remains predominantly inaccessible; over 80% of government buildings in smaller towns do not include essential accessibility features like ramps or tactile pathways. Additionally, the process of data collection is flawed. The census often underrepresents disabilities, especially intellectual, psychosocial, and invisible ones, which leads to gaps in planning and budget allocation. In the absence of disaggregated and precise data, disability policy will remain reactive and oblivious to genuine real-world obstacles.
Globally, initiatives such as Disability: IN (USA), the UN’s Global Disability Summit, and inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems led by the EU are setting benchmarks. They are reframing disability as diversity, not as limitation. These models promote practices such as inclusive hiring practices or accessibility audits by law.
India must integrate global best practices with local realities, especially in rural livelihoods, inclusive education, and digital skilling. The recent India-Sierra Leone-UN initiative, focused on inclusive development, exemplifies India’s active role in global leadership. However, such efforts need to be reflected in domestic reforms, rather than just diplomatic endeavors. The government must view persons with disabilities (PwDs) not merely as beneficiaries but as active participants in driving change. This entails implementing mandatory accessibility assessments in all governmental and educational institutions, engaging disabled persons’ organizations (DPOs) throughout all stages of policy formulation, and establishing full-fledged livelihood pathways instead of only job placements.
India possesses the legislation, resources, and willingness, yet it lacks the urgency and comprehensive approach necessary for effective execution. Disability inclusion must no longer be regarded as a corporate social responsibility obligation or a superficial promise for elections. Instead, it should be regarded as an essential aspect of governance, anchored in accountability, transparency, and respect for dignity. As we advance into a world that relies more on digital and AI technologies, we must avoid constructing smart cities that have barriers preventing millions from accessing them.
