Introduction
Workplace equality is not just a legal mandate but a moral necessity, especially when it comes to protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.
Despite constitutional guarantees and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, many individuals continue to face stigma, indirect discrimination, and lack of reasonable accommodations.
While India has made strides by reserving jobs and mandating non-discrimination, challenges remain in enforcement, particularly in the private sector.
Globally, robust frameworks like the ADA in the U.S. and Equality Act in the U.K. have set higher standards.
Bridging this gap is essential for building an inclusive workforce.
Aims
This study aims to examine India’s legal framework for disability rights at work, highlight judicial interpretations, and compare them with international standards.
It seeks to uncover gaps in enforcement, analyze the role of technology in accessibility, and suggest reforms for ensuring inclusivity, equality, and fair opportunities for disabled employees.
Core Issues and Findings
The Community Standards Test has reshaped disability rights by aligning judgments with evolving public values, ensuring courts recognize inclusivity as a societal expectation.
Indian labour laws, though progressive on paper, still fall short of international benchmarks where enforcement is strict and private sector accountability is stronger.
The RPwD Act, 2016, remains central to safeguarding employment rights by mandating non-discrimination, reasonable accommodations, and reservations, though its reach in the private sector is limited.
Meanwhile, technological advancements—from screen readers to smart workplaces—are breaking barriers, proving that when law and innovation work together, they can transform workplaces into truly equalspaces for all.
Analysis
Indian laws, led by the RPwD Act, emphasize non-discrimination, equal opportunity policies, and job reservations for disabled persons.
Landmark judgments like Vikash Kumar v. UPSC and Rajeev Kumar Gupta v. Union of India reinforce the duty of reasonable accommodation.
However, enforcement is inconsistent, especially in the private sector, where inclusivity is still treated as charity rather than a right.
In contrast, global standards such as the ADA (U.S.) and Equality Act (U.K.) strictly enforce compliance, ensuring proactive employer responsibility.
Technology—screen readers, AI tools, ergonomic devices—has improved accessibility, but awareness and adoption remain uneven, leaving many workers without meaningful inclusion.
