New Delhi, 23 September: The first-ever Parliamentary Forum on Disability was announced by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) at the National Disability Network Meeting on Monday, ensuring that disability rights are prioritized in India’s political landscape. This platform encourages collaboration between Members of Parliament and key stakeholders, placing disability rights at the core of legislative and policy decisions.
Speaking at the meeting, disability experts and persons with disabilities deliberated on the need for the political inclusion of disabled people to bring true transformation to society.
At the heart of this initiative lies the belief that disability is also a political issue. True inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) cannot be achieved unless they are embedded in mainstream political discourse, as politics drives policies.
NCPEDP’s journey toward this realization began during the Karnataka Assembly elections in May 2023, when the organization noted that disability was conspicuously absent from the manifestos of major political parties.
“We took a bold step by asking political parties across states to recognise that persons with disabilities matter and to give us space in their manifestos. It was a decisive call that I believe has elevated the disability discourse to a new level,” said Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP. “While we encountered both successes and disappointments, our resolve was unwavering. This led to the creation of India’s first-ever Disability Manifesto, which provides a blueprint for political parties to follow.”
Building on this foundation, the Parliamentary Forum on Disability aims to take the movement forward, ensuring that the voices of persons with disabilities are heard at the highest levels of policy-making.
The forum will engage MPs through targeted workshops and campaigns to raise awareness of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, promote inclusive policies, and ensure the effective implementation of disability-related laws. The forum will ensure that disability rights remain a political priority, not an afterthought.
“Persons with disabilities face significant barriers, from limited legislative awareness to inadequate policy measures,” added Ali. “Today, we are calling for a robust and inclusive framework where every individual with a disability is empowered to participate fully in society.”
As India continues its journey toward true inclusion, this Parliamentary Forum will serve as a critical step in ensuring that disability rights are embedded within the nation’s legislative and policy framework.