Mains Focus – 23rd April 2025
Question
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment.
[10 Marks, GS Paper 2, 2022]
Answer
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 is a landmark legislation that aims to ensure full participation, inclusion, and equality for persons with disabilities (PwDs). While the Act expands the definition of disability, increases reservations in jobs and education, and mandates accessibility in infrastructure, its success hinges not just on legal provisions but also on societal and administrative sensitization.
Achievements of the Act
- Comprehensive Coverage: Increases the recognized categories of disabilities from 7 to 21.
- Reservation: Enhances reservation in government jobs from 3% to 4%, and in higher education to 5%.
- Rights-Based Approach: Recognizes PwDs as rights-holders rather than mere recipients of charity.
- Accessibility Mandate: Envisions barrier-free access in physical, digital, and social infrastructure.
The Gap in Implementation
Despite progressive provisions, the Act largely remains ineffective due to the following challenges:
- Lack of Awareness: Most government officials, educators, and law enforcers are not sensitized to the rights and specific needs of PwDs.
- Poor Implementation: Accessibility audits, inclusive infrastructure, and assistive technologies are rarely prioritized in public offices and institutions.
- Social Stigma: Deep-rooted prejudices continue to isolate PwDs from mainstream society.
- Inadequate Training: Teachers and public servants are often unequipped to cater to students or citizens with disabilities.
- Bureaucratic Apathy: Low budget allocations and the absence of accountability mechanisms dilute enforcement.
Way Forward
- Mandatory Sensitization Programs for all public functionaries.
- Inclusion in School Curriculum to nurture empathetic citizens from a young age.
- Robust Monitoring and Grievance Redressal mechanisms.
- Public-Private Partnerships to fund accessibility and assistive services.
Conclusion
The RPwD Act is a progressive legal tool, but without societal attitudinal change and proactive governance, it risks being reduced to a mere document. Sensitization is not optional—it is central to actualizing the spirit of inclusion.
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