Disability Persons Hand Book

Disability Persons Hand Book

All humans are born equal in dignity and rights, and every life holds intrinsic worth. Yet for 

the over one billion people globally who live with disabilities, equal respect remains elusive 

due to the deep-set social prejudices, discrimination, and stigma associated with disability. 

Intolerance, misconceptions, and neglect obstruct their full participation in society.

The social model of disability which the United Nations Convention on the 

Rights of Persons with Disabilities and India’s Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 

2016 are based on recognises that while individuals may have impairments, socially 

constructed barriers prevent them from full participation in civic life. This perspective 

shifts the focus from the conditions which persons with disabilities have to the systemic 

and structural failures of society to accommodate them. It creates an imperative for 

society to introspect and adopt strategies which ensure equal opportunity, accessibility, 

reasonable accommodation, and inclusive environments for persons with disabilities.

To ensure that our legal system effectively upholds the rights of individuals with 

disabilities, it is vital to understand the diverse challenges they face. This awareness goes 

beyond physical accommodation and includes addressing biases and stereotypes about 

disabilities that can subtly influence legal proceedings. Prejudices, often unconscious, 

can skew the fairness of judicial outcomes. For instance, stereotypes that unfairly portray 

individuals with disabilities as incoherent or aloof lead to biased assumptions about 

their ability to testify accurately. Similarly, misconceptions concerning their autonomy 

and decision-making capabilities can impact judicial determinations about their legal 

competency to act in various fields such as making decisions regarding their health or 

managing their finances. By challenging these biases and equipping the legal system 

to address the needs of persons with disabilities, we can create a more inclusive justice 

system.

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