India’s diverse population experiences a variety of common disabilities. According to the Census of India 2011, around 2.21% of the population, or approximately 26.8 million people, are affected by some form of disability.  The most prevalent disabilities include:

• Physical disabilities include conditions such as amputations, paralysis, cerebral palsy, and joint or bone disorders like osteoporosis and arthritis. These conditions can significantly impair mobility and are quite common.
• Sensory disabilities include vision loss, such as blindness and low vision, as well as hearing issues, such as deafness and partial hearing loss.Intellectual disabilities affect a person’s level of understanding and cognitive functioning. These include conditions such as Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other cognitive impairments.
• Mental health disabilities, including long-term depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, fall under this category.
• Learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia, are increasingly common. Individuals with these conditions often struggle with reading, writing, or solving mathematical problems.

The Indian government ensures comprehensive data collection on disabilities through censuses, surveys, and unique identification cards for persons with disabilities. However, continuous efforts are needed to translate this data into effective policies and programs that improve their lives.

Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programs were initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure that individuals with disabilities have easy access to rehabilitation services within their communities. This initiative aims to foster a sense of inclusion for people with disabilities in their respective communities. CBR programs play a multifaceted role in empowering individuals with disabilities, including:

• Promoting Health: Ensuring access to essential health services and rehabilitation.
• Vocational Training: Providing training to enhance employment opportunities.
• Awareness and Rights: Educating individuals about disabilities and their rights.
• Promoting Accessibility: Enhancing accessibility within the community.

Government authorities have implemented numerous policies and schemes to create a more inclusive society for people with disabilities. To promote CBR programs and raise awareness in remote areas, governments have partnered with various NGOs and international institutions. These partnerships aim to improve the quality of services provided by training workers and enhancing infrastructure and communication services, ensuring that individuals do not have to travel long distances for treatment.

Authoritative bodies are taking essential steps to ensure the success of CBR programs, particularly in remote areas as these programs are crucial for empowering persons with disabilities.

Assistive technologies are crucial in empowering persons with disabilities, fostering independence, and boosting their confidence by reducing the need for constant assistance. These aids include wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, canes, speech devices, and various web accessibility tools, all designed to significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. In India, the government has launched the Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP) scheme, demonstrating a strong commitment to enhancing the availability and accessibility of assistive technologies for people with disabilities.

• Financial Assistance: The Indian government ensures that every individual with a disability receives financial support to purchase necessary assistive technologies.
• Awareness Programs: The government has initiated various awareness programs to inform people about the availability and benefits of these assistive devices.
• Collaboration with NGOs: To extend the reach of these technologies, especially in rural areas, the government collaborates with different NGOs.
• Regular Updates: The government regularly updates the ADIP scheme to address the evolving needs of persons with disabilities, ensuring the scheme remains relevant and effective.

Through these efforts, the Indian government strives to make assistive technologies more accessible, affordable, and available, thereby enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities across the country.