The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 is a disability law passed by the Parliament of India to fulfill its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by India in 2007. The Act replaced the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.
Legislative history The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 was introduced into the Parliament on 7 February 2014 and passed by the Lok Sabha on 14 December 2016. The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 16 December 2016 and received the President's assent on 27 December 2016. The Act became operational on 15 June 2017. The Central Government rules 2017 have been notified under Section 100 of the Act and have come into force with effect from 15 June 2017.
Case law Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister was the first one to be booked under this new legislation when disability activist Satendra Singh (doctor) filed case against him on publicly humiliating a disabled employee. The addition of thalassemia as a new disability under this new law allowed a Chhattisgarh girl with this disorder to get medical admission after the Supreme Court's intervention.
Accessibility in Transport
Significant legal challenges have shaped the accessibility of air travel in India. In 2006, activists Subrata Pramanick and Rajiv Ranjan filed a landmark complaint (Case No. 3197/2006) against Deccan Aviation (Air Deccan) before the Court of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities. The case challenged the airline's practice of charging a "wheelchair tax" of ₹500 for mobility assistance. This litigation, cited in the company's 2006 SEBI prospectus, contributed to the eventual mandate that all Indian carriers provide wheelchair assistance to passengers with disabilities free of charge under Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR).
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External links Text of legislation Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW)