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POLICY REVIEW
c o s m o p o l i t a n i s m , expanded the reservation for The Indian policy and
indivisibility and the PwDs in both the education governance landscape is
universality of all human and employment sector, demonstrating equal resolve
rights. This resonated well highlighting the significance in promoting gender and
with the adoption of the of acknowledging disability inclusion. Some
United Nations Convention intersectionality existing notable examples include
for Rights of Persons with in the group. The Act also launch of the Sugamya Bharat
Disabilities (UNCRPD), escalated the responsibility Campaign in 2015, rolling out
ratified in 2006, to which India of the Ministry to formulate the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
was one of the early adopters. and effectively mainstream campaign in 2015, launch of
universal access and inclusive the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala
The Persons with Disability development into the urban Yojana, and formulation of
Act (1995) predates the future of “New India’’. the National Policy of Persons
convention, which, although with Disabilities, 2006 and its
propagating the social The Harmonized Guidelines subsequent revisions, the
approach to disability and Standards for Universal National Policy for Women
inclusion, has identified the Accessibility in India, 2021, Empowerment in 2001, are
avenues for intervention. The developed by National focused on empowering
PwD Act was drafted with Institute of Urban Affairs PwDs and women in India.
enough foresight to enable (NIUA) in partnership From an urban perspective,
PwDs in India to find equitable with Indian Institute of the launch of the Smart
opportunities in education Technology Roorkee, Cities Mission, Atal Mission
and employment. However, promoted the concept of for Rejuvenation & Urban
intent without conviction Universal Accessibility, Transformation (AMRUT),
often fails to translate into acknowledging the diverse Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
action. Despite its attempt needs of PwDs along with (PMAY) have all instilled
to address a wide gamut of urban population at large. the core values of inclusion
societal aspects, the PwDs Act The guidelines, launched and universal accessibility in
(1995) falls short to augment by the Ministry of Housing some form or the other. There
the quality of life for PwDs in & Urban Affairs(MoHUA), exists a range of programmes
India. As such, the Rights of Govt. of India in 2021, at the national level which
PwDs Act (2016) has become are a leap ahead from the cater to the essentials of the
one of the most progressive previous guidelines, aimed to urban populace, like PDS
legislations, which advocates cohesively streamline aspects (for food security), BPL cards
the right based approach. of accessibility and inclusion (for housing, electricity, etc.),
It has not only significantly into urban development. RSBY smart cards (for health),
expanded the spectrum of POLICIES & among many others. The
disabilities from 7 to 21 but PROGRAMMES National Assistance for Social
also segued into emphasizing Protection provides support
the concept of safety and PROMOTING in both kind and as pension
integrity for PwDs, along with INCLUSIVITY to the vulnerable groups of
inclusion and accessibility. The influence of changing PwDs, widows, and elderly.
The Act brought the perspective from a social While these schemes were
welcomed shift from ‘barrier model to a right based model really effective during
free environment’ to ‘universal can be observed in recent COVID-19, they require
design and accessibility’ and policies and programmes. periodic modifications
April, 2023, Volume 24. No.1 - SHELTER 39
