Accessibility for Disabled Persons | 12 Nov 2024

Source: TH 

Recently, The Supreme Court affirmed that the right to access environments, services, and opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs) is a human and fundamental right.  

• Accessibility: The court urged the government to create universal accessible public and private spaces, services, and products as mandated in Rule 15 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017. 
  • Rule 15 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017 covers accessibility of physical environment, transport, and information and communication technology. 
• Legal Framework: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 aims to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities (PwDs). 
  • It aims to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which India ratified in 2007. 
  • A person with a benchmark disability is defined as someone with at least 40% of a specified disability. 
• Initiatives Related to the Empowerment of the Disabled: Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/fitting of Aids and Appliances, Accessible India Campaign, and Unique Disability Identification Portal. 

Read More: Enhancing Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities