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Persons with Disabilities: Struggling for Rights and Recognition

Persons with Disabilities: The lack of government support and failure to enforce the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, leaves people with disabilities feeling excluded from society.

By Inderpal Singh and Gethrude Kii
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Persons with Disabilities: The Long Road to Empowerment

India's physically challenged community continues to grapple with systemic challenges, even as the country progresses in various spheres. A lack of societal and governmental support has created an uphill battle for those with disabilities. Among them is Professor Baldev Gulati, a visually impaired academician and disability rights activist who has dedicated his life to advocating for inclusivity and accessibility.

Gulati, a 100% visually impaired professor based in Delhi, shares a journey marked by resilience and determination. Despite the odds, he pursued higher education and achieved academic excellence. Reflecting on his formative years, Gulati says, "I was very fortunate that my parents sent me to an inclusive school. I have never gone to any special school. I got many advantages from learning in an inclusive school. My self-confidence never went low."

However, his path was fraught with challenges. Accessibility to resources was a significant hurdle. "When I was in school and college, there was no accessible transport. That was a huge challenge. I faced challenges in reading and writing as books were not available in braille. Even at Delhi University, considered a premium institution, reference textbooks in braille were scarce," Gulati explained.

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The lack of accessible infrastructure forced Gulati to rely heavily on others for reading and writing tasks, further compounding the difficulties. He also faced social challenges, including issues of acceptance among peers. "There were socialisation-related challenges, especially with classmates. Acceptance was not always easy," he recalls.

A Stark Comparison: India vs. the West

Gulati draws a sharp contrast between the treatment of disabled individuals in India and the western world. He argues that the Indian system often views entitlements as charity rather than rights.

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