Disability as an identity and entity exists at the intersection of multiple vulnerabilities — social, economic and gender — with each facet requiring careful consideration when conceptualizing action for equity.
According to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, a person with a disability is someone who has a long-term impairment that affects their physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory abilities.
o This impairment prevents them from participating fully and effectively in society.
The four main categories of disability are:
o Behavioural or emotional
o Sensory impaired disorders
o Physical
o Developmental
According to the World Bank, 5–8% of India's population has disabilities. The NSSO estimates that 2.2% of the population is disabled. The NFHS-5 survey (2019–21) found that 4.52% of the population has a disability.
• Lack of Awareness: This issue is more pronounced in rural areas where information dissemination is challenging.
• Lack of Accessibility and Infrastructure: Many public places, such as schools, hospitals, transport systems, and government offices, are not designed to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. This limits their mobility, education, health care, and participation in social and civic activities.
• Limited Access to Education and Employment: Persons with disabilities in rural areas often face restricted access to education and employment opportunities. The lack of inclusive educational institutions and vocational training centers can hinder their ability to acquire necessary skills and participate in the workforce.
• Exclusion from Developmental Schemes: Some developmental schemes may inadvertently exclude persons with disabilities, leading to their exclusion from critical initiatives. One example is vaccination campaigns that do not take into account the accessibility and communication needs of persons with disabilities, such as ramps, sign language interpreters, or braille materials.
• Perception and Stigma: Persons with disabilities are sometimes viewed as objects of charity rather than as autonomous beings capable of making meaningful contributions to society. This perception can lead to social stigma, discrimination, and exclusion from decision-making processes, further exacerbating their challenges.
• Agricultural Dependence and Climate Change Risks: Rural areas in India often have a high dependence on agriculture, and persons with disabilities in these areas are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
• Lack of Legal and Policy Support: India has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2007, and enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPWD) in 2016, which provides a legal framework for the protection and empowerment of people with disabilities. However, there are gaps and challenges in the implementation and enforcement of these laws and policies, and many people with disabilities are still unaware of their entitlements and remedies.
Childhood is one of the important phases where the growth and development of a person takes place in a rapid manner. Problems in the physical growth and psychological development of children lead to various implications for the children as well as the family members and in larger context at the community too. Disability can impact every day functioning and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime. Needs and rights of Persons with disabilities are not addressed in rural areas and they are remaining as most vulnerable and marginalised groups in society. SAFER is involving in empowering activities for persons with
• Physical Disability
• Mental Disability
• Mental Illness