The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted on 13 December 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and has 82 signatories.
This is the highest number of signatories in history to a UN Convention on its opening day. This convention is the first comprehensive human rights treaty of the 21st century and is the first human rights convention to be open for signature by regional integration organizations.
There are several laws legislated in India that safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities. For example:
- The Constitution of India promises the security of a right of justice, liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship, equality of status and of opportunity and for the promotion of fraternity
- The Equal Opportunity Act, 2010 provides for both the preventive and promotional aspects of rehabilitation like education, employment and vocational training, reservation, research and manpower development, creation of barrier- free environment, rehabilitation of persons with disability, unemployment allowance for the disabled, special insurance scheme for the disabled employees and establishment of homes for persons with severe disability etc.
- The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 introduces the conversation on reasonable accommodation for a PwD at a workplace and provides guidelines for employers to be an equal opportunity provider.
The nation has borne witness to the disability laws of the land evolving in a positive manner in the last few decades. As the number of recognized disabilities climb up, the various demands of the community of PwDs will no longer be scattered. This, combined with a vigilant government will ensure the wellbeing and equity of PwDs in India.