Draft National Policy on Persons with Disabilities (PwD)

June 14, 2022

The Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry has invited public feedback on the New Draft National Policy on Disability (PwD), that proposes interventions in disability prevention, healthcare, education, accessibility and social security.

Provisions of the Draft Policy

According to the draft, current national programme on prevention of disabilities by Health Ministry focuses on “traditional causes”. But there are other causes of disability, including malnourishment, socio-cultural factors, medical negligence, and impairment caused by disasters.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 also increased the number of disabilities from 7 to 21.
Policy called for a comprehensive national programme on prevention. It would also include the disabilities added in 2016 Act.
According to the draft, one-third of most disabilities in children were preventable, if detected timely and early.
States and Union Territories should add a provision on compliance with the 2016 Act while giving permission or recognition to educational institutions. Disability module should also be included in MBBS and other medical courses.

Modification in personal vehicles

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will issue guidelines to make modification in personal vehicles being used by persons with disabilities, in accordance with requirement.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

India signed the “UNs Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” in the year 2007.

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

It is an international human rights treaty by United Nations, that seeks to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities (PWDs). Parties to this convention are required to protect, promote, and ensure full enjoyment of human rights by PWDs and ensure that they enjoy full equality under the law. It serves as a major catalyst in global disability rights movement and enable a shift from viewing PWDs as objects of charity, social protection, and medical treatment. It was the first U.N. human rights treaty of 21^st century.

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