Why in the News?

The recent film Srikanth depicts industrialist Srikanth Bolla’s triumph over visual impairment. It highlights societal stigma, marginalization, and the lack of support for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

Status of Education and Jobs for PwD’s in India:

Limited Employment Opportunities: A 2023 report indicates that only five out of 50 Nifty 50 companies employ more than 1% of persons with disabilities (PwDs), with most being public sector firms.
Gap in Accessibility and Supply: Less than 1% of educational institutions in India are disabled-friendly, highlighting a significant gap in accessibility and support for PwDs in both education and employment sectors.
Inadequate Infrastructure: Data shows that fewer than 40% of school buildings have ramps, and only about 17% have accessible restrooms.
Lack of effective implementation: Despite legislative provisions for reservations in government jobs under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, there is a lack of effective implementation, resulting in low participation of PwDs in the workforce.

Challenges Faced by Persons with Disabilities (PwD)

Social Stigma and Marginalization: PwDs face deep-rooted social stigma, which leads to discrimination and exclusion from various sectors, including education and employment.
Inaccessible Infrastructure: Many public and private spaces lack the necessary infrastructure to accommodate PwDs, such as ramps and accessible restrooms, which severely limits their mobility and independence. For example, Less than 40% of school buildings have ramps, and only about 17% have accessible restrooms.
Educational Barriers: Despite the Right to Education Act, many PwDs encounter barriers such as a lack of inclusive schools, trained teachers, and assistive technologies, leading to high illiteracy rates among disabled individuals.
Workplace Discrimination: PwDs often face discrimination in the workplace, including a lack of reasonable accommodations and societal prejudices that create a “glass ceiling” for their employment opportunities.

Erosion of Identity for PwDs

Negative Representation: The portrayal of PwDs in society often reduces them to objects of pity or ridicule. This negative representation contributes to a societal attitude that undermines their dignity and identity.
Perception as Burdens: Sociologists argue that PwDs are frequently seen as burdens on society, which affects their self-identity and societal participation. This perception is reinforced through media and public discourse.
Intersectionality of Disability: PwDs who also belong to marginalized castes or genders face compounded discrimination, creating a double or triple burden that further erodes their identity and social standing.
Social Exclusion: The stigma surrounding disabilities often leads to exclusion from social activities and relationships, reinforcing the idea that PwDs can only relate to one another, which diminishes their broader social identity.

Way forward:

Enhance Accessibility: Ensure that educational institutions and workplaces are fully accessible by upgrading infrastructure and implementing inclusive design standards.
Combat Stigma and Promote Inclusion: Launch targeted awareness campaigns to challenge negative perceptions of PwDs and promote their positive contributions.

Back2Basics: Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan

Accessible India Campaign or Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan is a program that is set to be launched to serve the differently-able community of the country.
The flagship program has been launched on 3 December 2015, the International Day of People with Disabilities.
The program comes with an index to measure the design of disabled-friendly buildings and human resource policies.
The initiative also in line with Article 9 of the (UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) which India is a signatory since 2007.
The scheme also comes under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 for equal Opportunities and protection of rights which provides non-discrimination in Transport to Persons with Disabilities.

Mains PYQ:

Q The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment. (2022)

Investing in persons with disabilities