Census 2011, reports that there are 26.8 million persons with disabilities in India, making up 2.21 percent of the total population. About 2.41 percent of India’s male population and 2.01 percent of its female population report having a disability.
Challenges faced by ‘Divyangjans’ in India:

• Lower literacy levels: About 45.6% of PwDs remain illiterate with three-fourths of children remaining out of school. They face high dropout after primary levels due to lack of accessible toilets and entrances, information and communication systems, accessible routes and drinking water facilities, and ramps.
• Higher poverty rates and less economic engagement: About 41.4% of PwDs are multidimensional poor. Further the Census 2011 reports that only a third of all persons with disabilities in India are working.
• Poorer health conditions: Lack of awareness of services, cost of transportation, inaccessible physical building and poor fitting of hospital equipment often lead to denial of health services to PwDs.
• Discrimination: They often face name-calling and harassment by their peers. According to a survey by Equality Human Rights, at least 18% of respondents said they had experienced some kind of unfair treatment, discrimination, bullying or harassment.

Legislative Provisions for Divyangjans:
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 was enacted in furtherance of India’s obligation under UNCRPD. This Act, besides enlarging the definition of disabilities, lays stress on non- discrimination, respect and inclusion in society, equality of opportunity etc. Its provisions include:

• Free education: Every child with benchmark disability between the age group of 6 and 18 years shall have the right to free education.
• Reservation: In higher education (not less than 5%), government jobs (not less than 4%), reservation in allocation of land, poverty alleviation schemes (5% allotment) etc. have been provided.
• Guardianship: It provides for grant of guardianship by District Court under which there will be joint decision making between the guardian and the PWDs.
• Penalties for offence: The Act provides for penalties for offence committed against persons with disabilities and also violation of the provisions of the new law.

Initiatives taken by the government to uplift this section of the society:

• Accessible India Campaign: For achieving universal accessibility, it has three important verticals, namely – the Build Environment, the transportation sector and the ICT ecosystem.
• Unique Disability Identity (UDID): Implemented with a view of creating a National Database for PwDs, and to encourage transparency, efficiency and ease of delivering the government benefits to the person with disabilities.
• Mental health Rehabilitation Helpline’ KIRAN’: A toll free, 24X7, available in 13 languages to empathetically address the mental health issues of PwDs in particular and common people in general.
• ‘Divya Kala Shakti’ Cultural event: To provide a wider and unique platform to showcase the potential of Persons with Differently Abled in the field of performing art, music, dance, acrobatics etc.
• Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP Scheme): To assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation.

The goal of having a truly inclusive society cannot be achieved through the government’s efforts alone but requires participation of all the stakeholders including NGOs, PwDs association, academic bodies and civil society organization along with continuous thrust towards strengthening the capacity of these institutions in rehabilitation and research.