Enabling a law: rights of the disabled - The Hindu http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/enabling-a-law/article223787...

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EDITORIA L

Enabling a law: rights of the disabled

JANUARY 06, 2018 00:02 IST
UPDATED: JANUARY 06, 2018 00:09 IST

SHA RE A RTIC L E  119     8  PRINT A A A

Supreme Court’s timeline to ensure full access for the disabled to public
facilities is welcome

he Supreme Court has struck a blow for the rights of the disabled, with a
direction to the Central and State governments to provide full access to public
facilities, such as buildings and transport, within stipulated deadlines. People
with a disability form 2.21% of India’s population according to the 2011
Census. They have had a law for two decades to enable their full participation
in society, but successive governments have done little to realise those
guarantees. Now, in response to a public interest petition filed by a visually
handicapped activist, the court has issued a series of orders: that all
government buildings should be made accessible by June 2019; half of all
government buildings in the capital cities should meet accessibility norms by
December this year; the Railways should present a report in three months
from December 15 on implementing station facilities; 10% of government
public transport must be fully accessible by March 2018; and advisory boards
should be formed by the States and Union Territories in three months. The
court’s directions should be welcomed by the government and service
providers as an opportunity to steer policy and practice towards a universal
and humane system. For too long, planners and designers have built
infrastructure for use only by able-bodied individuals, ignoring the aspirations
of those with disabilities, and the letter of the law.
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