Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasized the need to redesign architectural models and institutional resources from an inclusive perspective to address systemic ableism. Speaking at the India Accessibility Summit, he highlighted practical challenges, such as narrow lift doors, that hinder accessibility for people with disabilities.
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NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud has highlighted the urgent need to rethink our architectural models, intellectual resources, and physical or institutional designs from an inclusive perspective rather than an ableist one. Speaking at the India Accessibility Summit and State Disability Commissioner’s Conclave 2024 in Bengaluru, CJI Chandrachud underscored the significance of recognizing and overcoming systemic ableism to build a more inclusive and equal society.
CJI Chandrachud provided practical examples to illustrate his point, such as narrow lift doors and entry thresholds that are often overlooked by those without disabilities but pose significant challenges for those with mobility issues.
He remarked-
“Beyond the legal framework, our architectural models, intellectual resources, and design choices often reflect a singular ableist perspective. The law now recognizes that such barriers create disabilities and hinder equal participation in social, economic, and cultural spheres.”
He emphasized that these barriers contribute to the under-representation of persons with disabilities in public discourse, thereby violating their civil rights and fundamental freedoms.
“This exclusion also deprives our public discourse of valuable insights, leading to an overwhelming prevalence of ableist perspectives that shape and limit our societal views.”
-he noted.
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Drawing on Caroline Perez’s findings on workplace bias, CJI Chandrachud compared these biases to ableism, stating-
“Similarly, our physical infrastructure and certain policy considerations are ableist. They arise from limited participation and perpetuate the exclusion of persons with disabilities, creating a continuous cycle of exclusion.”
CJI Chandrachud highlighted various initiatives and success stories that have started to dismantle this cycle of exclusion. One notable example is Karnataka’s ‘Participatory Governance in Disability’ policy, which has promoted participation through diverse social programs. He also praised Indian corporate institutions for setting a precedent in creating diverse workplaces, noting that inclusive hiring practices have become “better economic and institutional choices.”
The CJI also addressed the importance of acknowledging non-visible disabilities (NVDs) and combating the stigma associated with them. He referred to a 2014 report in the Economic Times, which revealed that 71% of children with disabilities reside in rural areas with limited support structures.
“Active diagnosis, education, and awareness campaigns will significantly help in overcoming the stigma and prejudice associated with NVDs.”
– he asserted.
In his concluding remarks, CJI Chandrachud called for continuous and cooperative efforts to dismantle the “shameful walls of exclusion.” He quoted Javed Abidi, a pioneer in the disability rights movement, saying-
“I don’t want future generations of people with disabilities to face an India that does not include them.”
Emphasizing the transformative potential of laws and technology, he stated-
“Laws and technology are merely tools for change. Disability and accessibility are complex social issues, and the solutions lie in social dialogue. Persons with disabilities have long faced ridicule, exploitation, and segregation due to institutional indifference. Achieving accessible and dignified public life for all requires a concerted effort to address and dismantle these vestiges of indifference.”
