Bill defines 'person with disability' as having long-term impairments

It seeks to ensure equality, non-discrimination, and full participation in society for individuals with long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments.

Who it concerns: The Bill applies to persons with disabilities (including those with benchmark disabilities and high support needs), their care-givers, educational institutions, employers (both public and private), government authorities (Central and State), local authorities, and institutions providing care or services to persons with disabilities.

What the bill does

• Defines 'person with disability' as having a long-term impairment that hinders full and effective participation in society.
• Establishes rights to equality, non-discrimination, community life, protection from abuse, accessibility in voting, access to justice, and legal capacity.
• Mandates inclusive education and specific measures for skill development and non-discrimination in employment.
• Provides for social security, health care, insurance schemes, rehabilitation, and research.
• Creates special provisions for persons with benchmark disabilities, including free education for children, reservation in higher education and employment, and incentives for private sector employers.
• Establishes a National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and State Commissions for Persons with Disabilities.
• Constitutes a Central Advisory Board on Disability, State Advisory Boards, and District-level Committees.
• Creates a National Fund for Persons with Disabilities.
• Establishes Special Courts and Special Public Prosecutors for handling offences.
• Specifies penalties for contraventions, fraudulently availing benefits, and offences of atrocities.
• Requires appropriate governments to conduct awareness campaigns, ensure accessibility of infrastructure and transport, and observe accessibility norms within specified time limits.

Also in the document

• The Bill is intended to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which India ratified on October 1, 2007.
• The Bill extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It includes provisions for the registration of institutions for persons with disabilities and grants to such institutions.
• It includes provisions for the certification of specified disabilities by designated authorities.
• It includes provisions for the repeal and savings of previous laws (Clause 117).