December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Disability Statistics and Legal Framework
Census 2011 reports 2.21% disability, while a 2019 WHO survey shows 16% of Indian adults have severe disabilities.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 (RPWD Act) replaced the 1995 disability law to align with international standards after India ratified the UN Convention on Disability Rights in 2007.
Role and Challenges of State Commissioners
State Commissioners have quasi-judicial powers to monitor and enforce disability rights.
Most are civil servants from the nodal ministry, undermining independence and accountability.
Commissioners often fail to intervene proactively (suo motu) on policy violations, leading to lost trust in the system.
The delay in appointing commissioners, as highlighted in a court petition, affects timely functioning.
Best Practices and Recommendations
Karnataka has used mobile adalats and the District Disability Management Review (DDMR) to address complaints and monitor policy at the district level.
Commissioners should use public dashboards to track cases and make annual reports with recommendations.
States should collaborate with law schools and experts to enhance commissioners' quasi-judicial capabilities.
Research and Collaboration for Inclusive Policies
Commissioners should promote disability-inclusive research in areas like social protection and climate change.
Collaborating with UN bodies, research can lead to better policies and greater inclusion for people with disabilities in India.
States should consider appointing qualified women with disabilities as commissioners to address the unique challenges they face.
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