Bengaluru: Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud highlighted a significant shift in the perspective on disability during the opening session of the India Accessibility Summit and the State Disability Commissioners’ Conclave in Bengaluru on Saturday.
He noted that advancements in training, public engagement, and policy development have contributed to this change. “We are seeing a marked shift in our approach to disability,” said the CJI. “Administrative training programs now include dedicated modules on disability sensitization. In various states, commissioners are organizing public meetings to enhance service delivery and inform policy-making based on the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities.”
Justice Chandrachud emphasized the role of dedicated institutions such as the Centre for Disability Studies at NALSAR in Hyderabad, policy think tanks like CLPR and Vidhi Centre for Legal Policies, and numerous NGOs. These organizations have significantly improved the understanding of accessibility issues.
He also acknowledged the positive contributions from private corporations, including research grants, CSR initiatives, and inclusive hiring practices. However, the CJI stressed that achieving true accessibility, autonomy, and equal participation for people with disabilities remains a long-term goal.
“We still lack comprehensive statistics on persons with disabilities, broken down by intersecting factors such as gender, urban-rural divide, and types of disabilities,” he noted. Despite the increasing employment of persons with disabilities by both government and private sectors, workplace conditions are improving only gradually.
Justice Chandrachud also pointed out that many technological solutions remain prohibitively expensive and out of reach for those who need them most. “With nearly 200 million people living with psychosocial disabilities, our ability to diagnose and meet their needs remains inadequate. Transparent and proactive communication about needs is crucial for developing effective solutions,” he added.