The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 3rd December 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Citizens with Disabilities, Making their Rights Real

Why in News?

The data from the 2011 national Census of India indicate that persons with disabilities constitute 2.21 % of the total population. This is a grossly underestimated figure. According to the 2019 Brief Disability Model Survey conducted by the World Health Organization across India, Tajikistan and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the prevalence of severe disability among Indian adults is 16%. India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on October 1, 2007 and one of the immediate measures expected out of the state parties to the convention is to ensure alignment of the national disability legislations in line with the principles of the convention.

Who are persons with disabilities in India?

• PwD – A Person with Disability or Divyangjan is defined as someone who has a long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment. This impairment, when combined with various barriers, makes it difficult for them to participate fully and equally in society.
• Person with Benchmark Disability – This term refers to an individual who has at least 40% of a specific type of disability.
• According to the 2011 Census, there are approximately 2.68 crores (26.8 million) people with disabilities in India, which is about 2.21% of the country's total population.
• India enacted the 'Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act' in 2016, providing certain rights to people with disabilities.
• This legislation was created to meet India's responsibilities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which India ratified in 2007.
• The RPwD Act recognizes a total of 21 disabilities.

What are the challenges by PwDs?

• They encounter several challenges that hinder their ability to participate fully in society and the workforce.
• Societal rejection – Individuals with disabilities often face rejection from their families and communities due to deep-rooted ableism.
• Inadequate Infrastructure – There is a lack of suitable infrastructure to help people with disabilities access public places and services.
• Educational barrier – Existing education systems do not adequately support people with disabilities, with unsuitable exam formats and curricula that fail to meet their needs.
• According to the 2011 Census, the literacy rate among the total population of people with disabilities is about 55% (with 62% for males and 45% for females).
• Only about 5% of people with disabilities have completed higher education.
• Employment barrier – Stigmas and biases during hiring and promotion processes limit job opportunities for people with disabilities.
• The 76th round of the National Sample Survey in 2018 showed that only 23.8% of people with disabilities were employed.
• Inadequate political representation – People with disabilities are not well-represented in various levels of government.
• There are no reserved political seats in the Lok Sabha, state legislatures, or local bodies specifically for people with disabilities.
• Inaccurate assessment – The actual number of persons with disabilities in the country is not counted correctly.

How are they recognised in India?

• UDID Project - The Disability Certificate and Unique Disability Identity Card are provided to each Person with Disabilities (PwD) through an online system managed by authorized medical officials designated by the State or Union Territory Government.
• UDID Card - The Unique Disability Identity Card, also known as the Swavlamban Card, aims to establish a national database for persons with disabilities.
• Disability Certification - This is an essential document for individuals with a disability of over 40%, allowing them to access various facilities, benefits, or discounts available through existing programs.
• Legal Basis - The certificate is granted to individuals with disabilities as outlined in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
• Validity - The certificate remains valid for a duration of 5 years.
• Certifying Authority - The respective medical boards established at state or district levels are responsible for issuing the certificate.

Reservations for PwDs

• Aim: The goal is to create fair chances for people with disabilities (PwDs).
• Education: There should be a 5% reservation in all government-run and government-aided higher education institutions for students with disabilities.
• The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 acknowledges that individuals with disabilities have the right to be hired and promoted in government jobs on the same grounds as others.
• Employment: A reservation of 4% is set for people with disabilities in government jobs.

What are the issues in certification systems?

India's disability certification system has important issues.

Outdated Certification System:

• The method of measuring disabilities by percentage is old-fashioned and not in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• People with psychosocial disabilities are evaluated using the old IDEAS (Indian Disability Evaluation and Assessment Scale) scale.
• The IDEAS scale is used to assess and measure disabilities related to mental health.

Duplication in Assessment:

• Organizations like UPSC require a separate disability evaluation.
• This can lead to two different assessments that might give conflicting results.

Inaccessible and Time-Consuming Process:

• The process is slow because there aren't enough specialists available to assess different kinds of disabilities.

Lack of Assessment Resources:

• District hospitals often lack the necessary infrastructure and resources to follow the complex assessment rules set by the state.

Rejection of Applicants:

• Individuals with invisible or less obvious disabilities, such as blood disorders, are frequently turned away.

What lies ahead?

• Assessments should be based on functional limitations instead of medical percentages.
• Attention should be given to addressing systemic issues.
• Work on improving the infrastructure and human resources of state and district hospitals.
• Raise awareness among public officials about the needs of persons with disabilities.
• Make the certification process easier to access.