A demand for inclusion and equality for Persons with Disabilities
Campaign Partners: Nipman Foundation & YLAC
Decision makers:
Elected representative across all levels in India, from districts to the national level
What is the issue?
As we go about our everyday lives, rushing to work, getting to the canteen for lunch and then heading back home, there are many infrastructural problems in the public spaces that trouble us – from damaged footpaths to crowded spaces, etc. But these day-to-day issues that may seem minor inconveniences for us get compounded for persons with disabilities to severely restrict their participation in and access to public and social life.
How many of us ever stop to wonder what could be done to make spaces inclusive and equitable for Persons with Disabilities?
In India, 2.68 crore individuals are officially recognised as having disabilities. However, global indicators suggest this figure may be significantly higher, hovering around 18 to 19 crore individuals.
The major reasons for this stark underreporting include societal attitude that relegates disability to a distant and dismissible concern, the way disability is perceived and defined with regard to policy making and the exclusion of short-term disabilities caused by accidents as well as acquired disabilities owing to old age from the purview of comprehending disabilities.
The inevitability of ageing and the unpredictability of accidents increase the likelihood of disability, whether temporary or permanent, for the population. This makes it important for society to embrace the principles of accessibility and reasonable accommodations to ensure that it is welcoming and inclusive for all. Therefore, spotlighting and addressing issues that hinder persons with disabilities from leading lives of fulfilment and dignity is imperative to inclusion and equality.
To bridge this gap, disability rights activists, civil society organisations, and individuals with lived experiences of disability have drafted a Charter of Demands of, by, and for Persons with Disabilities.
It is intended to serve as a Common Minimum Program for all endorsers to present a unified voice to the community as India elects its parliament in the General Elections of 2024.
You can extend your support to the Charter and help us bring it to the attention of all potential Members of Parliament by signing the petition.
Demands of the Charter
Ensuring inclusive and accessible mainstream education for PwDs.
Ensuring PwDs have access to accessible, quality healthcare, including insurance.
Filling the 5% seats reserved for all PwDs in educational institutions and 4% seats reserved for all PwDs in employment.
Ensuring all public physical, digital and transport infrastructure follow Universal Design and accessibility principles.
Ensuring all organisations adopt Equal Opportunity Policies for PwDs as per The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Encouraging avenues for entrepreneurship and livelihood for PwDs, including through the use of assistive technology. Ensuring financial support for and economic well-being of PwDs who are deprived of a source of livelihood.
Improving political representation and empowerment of PwDs.
Ensuring reliable and accurate data on the community in the country.
Including specific budgetary heads for empowering PwDs across government schemes and programs (e.g. under the MP/ MLA funds)
Ensuring inputs are taken from PwDs as part of public consultations on policy making across all sectors and all laws and policies are designed from a disability lens.
Popularising and expanding the reach of Indian Sign Language (ISL) across the country.
Raising awareness about the fact that disabilities can be both visible and invisible.
The Charter will be presented to potential Members of Parliament across parties and geographies to mainstream the cause of disability rights in the electoral process.
PS: If you want to add your suggestions to the charter, you can do so here. We acknowledge that every disability is unique and every person with a disability may have diverse needs. Addendums may be added to ensure that individuals and organisations can use the charter effectively and yet tailor it for their specific contexts.
A demand for inclusion and equality for Persons with Disabilities
Campaign Partners: Nipman Foundation & YLAC
Decision makers:
Elected representative across all levels in India, from districts to the national level
What is the issue?
As we go about our everyday lives, rushing to work, getting to the canteen for lunch and then heading back home, there are many infrastructural problems in the public spaces that trouble us – from damaged footpaths to crowded spaces, etc. But these day-to-day issues that may seem minor inconveniences for us get compounded for persons with disabilities to severely restrict their participation in and access to public and social life.
How many of us ever stop to wonder what could be done to make spaces inclusive and equitable for Persons with Disabilities?
In India, 2.68 crore individuals are officially recognised as having disabilities. However, global indicators suggest this figure may be significantly higher, hovering around 18 to 19 crore individuals.
The major reasons for this stark underreporting include societal attitude that relegates disability to a distant and dismissible concern, the way disability is perceived and defined with regard to policy making and the exclusion of short-term disabilities caused by accidents as well as acquired disabilities owing to old age from the purview of comprehending disabilities.
The inevitability of ageing and the unpredictability of accidents increase the likelihood of disability, whether temporary or permanent, for the population. This makes it important for society to embrace the principles of accessibility and reasonable accommodations to ensure that it is welcoming and inclusive for all. Therefore, spotlighting and addressing issues that hinder persons with disabilities from leading lives of fulfilment and dignity is imperative to inclusion and equality.
To bridge this gap, disability rights activists, civil society organisations, and individuals with lived experiences of disability have drafted a Charter of Demands of, by, and for Persons with Disabilities.
It is intended to serve as a Common Minimum Program for all endorsers to present a unified voice to the community as India elects its parliament in the General Elections of 2024.
You can extend your support to the Charter and help us bring it to the attention of all potential Members of Parliament by signing the petition.
Demands of the Charter
Ensuring inclusive and accessible mainstream education for PwDs.
Ensuring PwDs have access to accessible, quality healthcare, including insurance.
Filling the 5% seats reserved for all PwDs in educational institutions and 4% seats reserved for all PwDs in employment.
Ensuring all public physical, digital and transport infrastructure follow Universal Design and accessibility principles.
Ensuring all organisations adopt Equal Opportunity Policies for PwDs as per The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Encouraging avenues for entrepreneurship and livelihood for PwDs, including through the use of assistive technology. Ensuring financial support for and economic well-being of PwDs who are deprived of a source of livelihood.
Improving political representation and empowerment of PwDs.
Ensuring reliable and accurate data on the community in the country.
Including specific budgetary heads for empowering PwDs across government schemes and programs (e.g. under the MP/ MLA funds)
Ensuring inputs are taken from PwDs as part of public consultations on policy making across all sectors and all laws and policies are designed from a disability lens.
Popularising and expanding the reach of Indian Sign Language (ISL) across the country.
Raising awareness about the fact that disabilities can be both visible and invisible.
The Charter will be presented to potential Members of Parliament across parties and geographies to mainstream the cause of disability rights in the electoral process.
PS: If you want to add your suggestions to the charter, you can do so here. We acknowledge that every disability is unique and every person with a disability may have diverse needs. Addendums may be added to ensure that individuals and organisations can use the charter effectively and yet tailor it for their specific contexts.