India needs Persons with Disabilities in Politics

Despite examples like Sadhan Gupta, India’s first blind parliamentarian, and Minati Barik, the first female wheelchair user elected in Odisha, persons with disabilities continue to face biases and stereotypes that hinder them from contesting elections. There is a general trend of disability being under-represented in politics. This article covers key challenges for people with disabilities […]

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A Guide to Reporting on Disability

This article highlights how issues related to disability are often underreported in Indian media or shaped by outdated ableist narratives or stereotypes due to lack of specific reporting guidelines. Media representation that upholds rights, dignity, and empowerment can make a difference for millions of persons with disabilities in India. National Centre for Promotion of Employment […]

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Pollution affects disabled people very differently. Govt advisories are ableist

For persons with mobility impairments, particularly those with cerebral palsy, locomotor disabilities, and high support requirements, air pollution is a logistical nightmare. Did you read the Delhi government’s advisory on staying indoors during this pollution spike and think, “That’s good advice, I can relate”? Well, as a disabled person, I didn’t.  While children, the elderly, and those with chronic […]

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The marginalisation of disabled in politics

Despite 2.68 crore persons with disabilities, the divyang community struggles to find representation in mainstream politics In the vast landscape of Indian democracy, where diversity should thrive, the voices and needs of individuals with disabilities often echo in silence. Despite India accounting for 2.68 crore persons with disabilities, making up 2.28 per cent of the […]

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World Disability Day: Inclusive leadership for Viksit Bharat, empowering persons with disabilities in politics

This year’s theme for World Disability Day compels us to prioritize the voices of persons with disabilities in shaping an equitable world. In India, where elections and political engagement are integral to the nation’s identity, the inclusion of persons with disabilities in political leadership is not only a question of representation but a necessity for […]

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True independence: Imperative of universal design and assistive technology for an inclusive societ

As India stands on the cusp of its 77th Independence Day, the notion of freedom warrants a deeper exploration. True independence transcends political autonomy – it embodies a society where every citizen, regardless of their abilities, enjoys equal access to opportunities and resources. Universal design: The foundation of inclusive freedom Universal design is more than […]

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