The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment. (Answer in 150 words)

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 adopts a rights-based and social model of disability, but legal guarantees become meaningful only when institutions and society remove attitudinal and physical barriers.

Why law alone is insufficient

• Officials may treat disability as charity rather than equality, reasonable accommodation and participation.
• Inaccessible buildings, transport, websites and examinations limit education, employment and political participation.
• Low awareness of benchmark disability, guardianship reform and entitlements causes exclusion from schemes.
• Stigma, bullying and gender-based vulnerability remain prevalent in families and public spaces.

Required measures

• Mandatory disability-sensitivity training for officials, teachers, police, judges, health workers and employers.
• Universal-design audits, accessible communication, sign-language support and inclusive recruitment.
• Involve organisations of persons with disabilities in planning, social audits and grievance redressal.

Conclusion

Attitudinal change, enforceable accessibility standards and accountable implementation must complement the statute to realise equal citizenship.

Rights-based model; reasonable accommodation; universal design; accessibility; inclusion; social audit.