Subject: Governance

Answer:

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD), 2016 marks a paradigm shift from charity-based to rights-based approach for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). However, despite its comprehensive legal framework, the implementation faces challenges due to inadequate sensitization and awareness among stakeholders.

Challenges in Implementation

• Limited Infrastructure Accessibility: According to a 2023 NCPEDP survey, only 27% of railway stations and 32% of buses are fully accessible, highlighting the gap between legal provisions and ground reality.

• Budgetary Constraints: Though the Union Budget 2025-26 allocated ₹1,275 crore for disability welfare (9.22% increase), it remains insufficient considering the diverse needs of approximately 2.68 crore PwDs in India.

• Inadequate Awareness:

  • Limited understanding of rights and entitlements among PwDs themselves.
  • Lack of sensitivity among public officials handling disability-related matters.
  • Insufficient training of healthcare professionals in disability management.

Impact of Poor Sensitization

• Social Exclusion: Perpetuation of stigma and discrimination in education and employment.
• Service Delivery Gap: Ineffective implementation of schemes due to uninformed functionaries.
• Rights Violation: Similar to the US experience of 6,749 disability discrimination complaints in 2023, indicating a global challenge.

Way Forward

• Capacity Building:

  • Mandatory disability sensitization programs for government officials.
  • Regular training workshops for healthcare workers and educational institutions.

• Monitoring Mechanism:

  • Establishment of district-level committees for implementation oversight.
  • Regular social audits of accessibility standards.

• Community Engagement:

  • Collaboration with disability rights organizations.
  • Public awareness campaigns through media and educational institutions.

The success of the RPwD Act lies not just in its legal provisions but in creating an ecosystem of understanding and acceptance. The transformation from a mere legal document to an effective instrument of change requires sustained efforts in sensitization, backed by adequate resources and political will, similar to successful models like "Nothing About Us Without Us" movement.