The Ministry of Civil Aviation has recently introduced draft norms to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities at airports. Drawing from the Rights of Person with Disabilities Rules, 2017, the draft seeks to establish harmonised guidelines on accessibility standards. This initiative comes in response to the pressing need for adequate facilities for differently-abled persons, especially in developing nations like India.
Understanding Disability
In simple terms, a disability is an impediment that restricts or completely hinders an individual’s ability to perform certain activities usually considered normal for humans. As per recent data from the National Statistics Office, approximately 2.2% of India’s population lives with some form of disability, making it a significant public health concern. Internationally, December 3rd is recognised as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by the United Nations, aimed at raising awareness about the matter.
Challenges Faced by Persons with Disabilities
Several issues persist that complicate the lives of individuals with disabilities. Continuous discrimination restricts their access to education, employment, and healthcare opportunities. The stigma associated with disabilities, combined with unawareness about their rights, makes attaining valued activities difficult. Persons with disabilities, particularly women and girls, are more susceptible to sexual and other forms of gender-based violence.
Health and Disability
Many disabilities can be prevented, including those due to complications during childbirth, maternal conditions, malnutrition, accidents, and injuries. However, there is an inadequate focus on prevention due to lack of awareness and quality healthcare services. Furthermore, there is a significant lack of rehabilitation services, owing to problems of accessibility, availability, and utilisation.
Education and Employment Concerns
Educational opportunities for people with disabilities are limited due to a lack of special schools, trained teachers, and appropriate learning materials. Consequently, employment rates among disabled adults are much lower compared to the general population, despite many being capable of productive work.
The Issue of Accessibility
Physical accessibility, particularly in public buildings, transportation systems, and service areas, often poses significant challenges. Additionally, lack of rigorous and comparable data regarding persons with disabilities further hampers efforts towards inclusion.
Constitutional Provisions for Persons with Disabilities
The Indian Constitution makes provisions for the welfare of disabled persons. Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy mandates that the State should make effective provision for securing the right to work, education, and public assistance for disabled persons. The state list of the Seventh Schedule of the constitution specifically mentions ‘relief of the disabled and unemployable’.
Initiatives for Disability Inclusion
Several initiatives have been launched to promote inclusivity for persons with disabilities, such as the Unique Disability Identification (UDID) Portal, Accessible India Campaign, DeenDayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme, Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP), and National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities.
Working Towards an Accessible Future
The international community must bridge the gap between the accessible and non-accessible world through sustained efforts across all sectors. This requires promoting education and awareness, implementing laws and regulations, improving physical accessibility, reducing stigma, and developing tools to facilitate meaningful engagement. Crucially, involving persons with disabilities in decision-making processes can ensure representation on matters affecting their lives.
