Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 – An Overview

The RPD Act provides for representation of persons with disabilities in the various bodies to be created under this new legislation. Thus the value and indispensability of experiential expertise also stands recognized.

The Act provides for time-limit for compliance with some of its substantive provisions which includes provisions in respect of compliance with accessibility norms.

This legislation adopts a social and human rights-based approach to disability and recognizes that persons with disabilities are capable of human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with others.

The RPD Act also explicitly stipulates that no person with disability shall be discriminated against on ground of disability unless it is shown that the impugned act or omission is to achieve a legitimate aim.