Struggling for Rights and Recognition

Persons with Disabilities: The Long Road to Empowerment

India’s physically challenged community continues to grapple with systemic challenges, even as the country progresses in various spheres. A lack of societal and governmental support has created an uphill battle for those with disabilities. Among them is Professor Baldev Gulati, a visually impaired academician and disability rights activist who has dedicated his life to advocating for inclusivity and accessibility.

Gulati, a 100% visually impaired professor based in Delhi, shares a journey marked by resilience and determination. Despite the odds, he pursued higher education and achieved academic excellence. Reflecting on his formative years, Gulati says, “I was very fortunate that my parents sent me to an inclusive school. I have never gone to any special school. I got many advantages from learning in an inclusive school. My self-confidence never went low.”

However, his path was fraught with challenges. Accessibility to resources was a significant hurdle. “When I was in school and college, there was no accessible transport. That was a huge challenge. I faced challenges in reading and writing as books were not available in braille. Even at Delhi University, considered a premium institution, reference textbooks in braille were scarce,” Gulati explained.

The lack of accessible infrastructure forced Gulati to rely heavily on others for reading and writing tasks, further compounding the difficulties. He also faced social challenges, including issues of acceptance among peers. “There were socialisation-related challenges, especially with classmates. Acceptance was not always easy,” he recalls.

A Stark Comparison: India vs. the West

Gulati draws a sharp contrast between the treatment of disabled individuals in India and the western world. He argues that the Indian system often views entitlements as charity rather than rights.

Persons with Disabilities: The Long Road to Empowerment

India’s physically challenged community continues to grapple with systemic challenges, even as the country progresses in various spheres. A lack of societal and governmental support has created an uphill battle for those with disabilities. Among them is Professor Baldev Gulati, a visually impaired academician and disability rights activist who has dedicated his life to advocating for inclusivity and accessibility.

Gulati, a 100% visually impaired professor based in Delhi, shares a journey marked by resilience and determination. Despite the odds, he pursued higher education and achieved academic excellence. Reflecting on his formative years, Gulati says, “I was very fortunate that my parents sent me to an inclusive school. I have never gone to any special school. I got many advantages from learning in an inclusive school. My self-confidence never went low.”

However, his path was fraught with challenges. Accessibility to resources was a significant hurdle. “When I was in school and college, there was no accessible transport. That was a huge challenge. I faced challenges in reading and writing as books were not available in braille. Even at Delhi University, considered a premium institution, reference textbooks in braille were scarce,” Gulati explained.

The lack of accessible infrastructure forced Gulati to rely heavily on others for reading and writing tasks, further compounding the difficulties. He also faced social challenges, including issues of acceptance among peers. “There were socialisation-related challenges, especially with classmates. Acceptance was not always easy,” he recalls.

A Stark Comparison: India vs. the West

Gulati draws a sharp contrast between the treatment of disabled individuals in India and the western world. He argues that the Indian system often views entitlements as charity rather than rights.

“In the western world, entitlements are a right. In India, even today, entitlements are considered charity to some extent,”he notes. Highlighting the inadequacy of government support, he adds, “For example, visually impaired individuals receive a monthly pension of 500 to 3000 rupees. In Delhi, when you get a pension of 2000 to 2500 rupees, how do you sustain yourself? This is next to impossible.”

The lack of mandatory inclusion policies in Indian corporates exacerbates the challenges. Gulati believes sensitisation is key: “In the western world, corporates are required to hire people with disabilities. Here, this is not mandatory. With the state withdrawing itself from different areas, it’s important to enhance and sensitise corporates to offer opportunities to disabled people.”

Entrepreneurship is another area where disabled individuals face significant obstacles. Gulati points out the biases within financial institutions, which often undermine the capabilities of disabled entrepreneurs. “If you want to raise funds or approach banking institutions, there are biases. Our potentials are undermined, and logical considerations are missing,”he says.

As a result, the country sees few entrepreneurs from the disabled sector, a stark contrast to the thriving entrepreneurial spirit among disabled individuals overseas.

Persons with Disabilities: The Ground Reality in India

India’s disability rights framework, though ambitious on paper, fails to translate into meaningful change on the ground. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which aims to empower people with disabilities, remains poorly implemented. This was starkly highlighted by the Supreme Court’s recent criticism of the “dismal” enforcement of the Act, with several states yet to frame the necessary rules.

Khushi Bharti, a young girl with speech and hearing impairments, exemplifies the daily challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in India. Speaking through her mother, Khushi recounted the difficulties she encountered during her school years, particularly with transportation.

“Khushi faced a lot of trouble while traveling by bus during her tenth and twelfth grades,” her mother explained. “She doesn’t have an ID, and in crowded buses, she can’t ask for help to get a ticket. If the driver doesn’t stop at the front, she often misses the bus.”

The introduction of free bus travel for women by the Delhi government, however, provided some relief. Khushi later joined the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) teacher’s training program, which allowed her to flourish academically. “She became very intelligent after that,” her mother proudly shared.

Khushi’s challenges extend far beyond her disability, with her vulnerability often putting her at risk. On two separate occasions, Khushi’s mobile phone was stolen while traveling on public buses, leaving her unable to communicate or seek help.

Her mother recalled the distressing incidents: “The first time, she checked after a stop and realised her phone had been stolen. She got down from the bus and, using sign language, asked a passerby for his phone to call me. We filed an FIR but despite providing details, nothing came of it.”

The emotional toll was immense. “These children communicate primarily through video calls. Losing an expensive phone isn’t just about the money—it’s about losing their connection to the world,” her mother said.

When her second phone was stolen, the family’s concerns grew deeper. “That’s when we realised the need for ID cards for speech and hearing impaired (SHI) individuals. Without an ID, how can others know about their condition or offer assistance?” her mother asked, adding, “We fear for her safety because no one else understands her vulnerability.”

Khushi’s mother pointed out the lack of basic identification systems for persons with disabilities in India. “In many western countries, speech and hearing impaired individuals are provided with IDs that help them access essential services and communicate their needs. Why can’t we do the same here?”

She stressed the importance of such measures for creating a more inclusive society. “When someone honks on the road, they don’t know my daughter can’t hear them. This lack of awareness puts her at risk every day.”

Unheard Voices: The Daily Struggles of India’s Persons with Disabilities

In a nation with an overwhelming population living with disabilities, India’s support systems often leave much to be desired. Stories like those of Jahangir from Jharkhand and Meenu Mani highlight the persistent neglect and systemic inadequacies that plague the country’s approach to disability rights.

Jahangir, an accident survivor and amputee, moved to Delhi in search of a better life. His dream, however, was shattered in an instant.

“After getting married, I came to Delhi to earn a living. I was running a rickshaw when a Maruti car hit me,” Jahangir recalled. Admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, he underwent multiple surgeries that failed to save his leg. “Eventually, they told me they would have to amputate my leg,” he said, his voice tinged with resignation.

Jahangir’s struggles did not end there. A fire later destroyed his shanty and his only means of livelihood—a two-wheeler. Despite repeated appeals to his local MLA for assistance, he remains without help.

“I applied for a pension and now receive 1,000 rupees monthly, but in Jharkhand, that’s all they give,” he explained. “In Delhi, the pension is 2,500 rupees, but with my Aadhaar card registered in Jharkhand, I cannot access that benefit.”

The loss of his vehicle in the fire has left him helpless. “We were promised help, but after going to the MLA two or three times, I’ve received nothing,” Jahangir shared.

Meenu Mani, a cerebral palsy warrior and co-founder of the NGO Yes We Can, has faced years of marginalisation and systemic failure.

As a child, Meenu dreamed of going to school but was denied access at every turn. “Every day, I would get dressed up with my bag and lunch box, hoping to go to school,” she recounted. “Other children would leave in the van, but I would be left standing, waiting for my turn that never came.”

Today, Meenu continues to battle a lack of support. “I don’t receive any government pension, despite being in the high-support category. I need assistance for almost everything, but there’s no caregiver provided, and the 2,500-rupee pension is far from sufficient to meet the costs of living and healthcare,” she explained.

Meenu’s story reveals the harsh realities faced by scores of persons of disabilities in India. “If the government cannot provide us with jobs, they should at least offer caregivers and adequate financial support. Inflation has made survival on such meager pensions impossible,” she added.

The Story of Rajkumari and India’s Neglect of Para Athletes

In a country where athletic achievements are often celebrated with fanfare, the story of Rajkumari, a powerlifter and bronze medalist at the Asian Para Games, is a stark reminder of how little support para-athletes receive. 

Rajkumari’s path to success was paved with struggles and setbacks. In 2015, she began her athletic journey with javelin, shot put, and discus events, clinching a gold medal at the state level. Her performance earned her a spot at the nationals, but she soon realised the challenges of competing internationally without proper coaching or support.

“I was told to leave athletics and try powerlifting because I had the physique for it,” Rajkumari recalled. She took the advice and began training under her first coach, Joginder Singh Saluja. However, the lack of guidance became evident when she faced setbacks at her initial competitions.

“The coach didn’t prepare me properly. He didn’t even explain the basics of powerlifting and left me to figure things out on my own,” she said. It wasn’t until she found a new coach, also named Joginder Singh, that her fortunes began to change.

“He understood my fears and motivated me to push forward. Under his guidance, I won gold at the state level and bronze at nationals,” she shared. Despite a debilitating accident that left her with a fractured hand, Rajkumari persevered, eventually bagging a bronze medal at the Asian Para Games.

A Medalist Without Recognition

Even with her remarkable achievement, Rajkumari continues to face rejection and neglect. She highlights the absence of financial support and sponsorships that are crucial for athletes to train and compete at the highest levels.

“I am an Asian medalist, but the Delhi government hasn’t supported me at all. I achieved everything through my own hard work,” she lamented. Attempts to secure sponsorships yielded no response, leaving her and many other athletes disheartened.

Her frustration deepens as she speaks about the lack of job opportunities. “When I ask for a job, I am told there are no jobs available. If a medalist is being told this, what is the point of playing? It makes playing feel useless,” she said.

The lack of government support and the failure to implement existing laws, such as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, intensifies the challenges faced by persons with disabilities. They often express a sense of not belonging to society, as though they are separated from able-bodied individuals, trapped in a world that hasn’t made space for them.