Ensuring inclusive representation in election manifestos is essential for fostering a society where the voices and needs of all citizens, including those with disabilities, are recognized and addressed. By prioritizing the inclusion of the disabled community in political agendas, parties demonstrate a commitment to upholding human rights, promoting social equity, and fostering a more inclusive and accessible society for all. In this context, it is necessary to explore the significance of including disability-focused initiatives in election manifestos and the impact of such measures on promoting representation, inclusion, and empowerment for individuals with disabilities. 

– Representation and Inclusion: Election manifestos serve as blueprints for governance, outlining the vision, policies, and plans of political parties or candidates. By including the disabled community in these manifestos, parties demonstrate a commitment to representation and inclusion, ensuring that the voices and needs of all segments of society are considered in the political process. 

– Equal Opportunity and Access: Inclusive election manifestos prioritize policies and initiatives that promote equal opportunity and access for all, including the disabled community. This entails ensuring accessibility in infrastructure, education, healthcare, employment, and other areas, thereby fostering a more equitable society where everyone can participate and thrive. 

– Human Rights and Dignity: Addressing the needs of the disabled community in election manifestos is essential for upholding human rights principles and affirming the dignity of all individuals. By recognizing and respecting the rights of disabled individuals, parties contribute to creating a society where everyone is valued and respected, regardless of ability. 

– Policy Development and Implementation: Inclusive election manifestos lead to the development and implementation of policies and programs that address the specific needs and challenges faced by the disabled community. This may include measures to improve accessibility, enhance social protection, promote inclusive education and employment opportunities, and ensure responsive healthcare services. 

– Social Cohesion and Solidarity: By including the disabled community in election manifestos, parties foster social cohesion and solidarity, promoting empathy, understanding, and support for those facing disabilities. This sends a powerful message of inclusivity and unity, affirming the value and contributions of all members of society. 

– Legal Obligations and International Commitments: In many countries, there are legal obligations under domestic legislation and international conventions to protect the rights of disabled individuals and promote their full inclusion and participation. Including the disabled community in election manifestos reflects a commitment to fulfilling these obligations and upholding international commitments to human rights and equality. 

Disability Inclusive Guidelines and Manifesto ‘for and by’ Citizens with Disabilities 

Developed by the National Disability Network (NDN) and the National Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (NCRPD), the Disability Inclusive Guidelines and Manifesto for Citizens with Disabilities outline crucial demands and initiatives to promote the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities in India. 

– Budgetary Allocation: Advocating for a 5% budgetary allocation for Disability Inclusion is crucial in addressing the financial needs of individuals with disabilities. The progressive increase of this allocation to Rs. 50,000 crores over 5 years signifies a strong commitment to providing substantial resources for disability-related programs and services. Ensuring inclusion in procurement processes and budgeting across ministries will play a crucial role in promoting equitable distribution of funds for disability initiatives and fostering financial support for the disabled community. 

– Health Insurance: The pressing issue of high out-of-pocket health expenses for persons with disabilities underscores the urgent need for affordable and accessible health insurance. Tailoring health coverage to include essential services like rehabilitation, orthopaedic care, and assistive technology can significantly alleviate financial burdens and enhance healthcare access for individuals with disabilities. Aligning health insurance policies with existing schemes such as Ayushman Bharat will not only expand coverage but also provide crucial support for individuals with disabilities in accessing quality healthcare services. 

– Socio-Political Inclusion: The proposed amendment of Article 15 of the Constitution to safeguard persons with disabilities as a fundamental right reflects a strong commitment to combating discrimination and promoting social equity. The call for a 5% reservation in governance aims to empower marginalized communities, ensuring their representation in decision-making processes and fostering inclusive political participation. These challenges are essential steps towards fostering social inclusion and ensuring the equal participation of persons with disabilities in various spheres of public life. 

– Economic Participation: The commitment to filling backlog vacancies by 2027 and introducing the “Access to Work” scheme underscores a dedicated effort to enhance employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Providing reasonable accommodations in enterprises can facilitate the integration of disabled individuals into the workforce, promoting diversity and inclusivity. These initiatives are designed to tap into the vast talent pool of disabled individuals, fostering their economic empowerment and contributing to a more inclusive and diverse workforce. 

– Education: The initiative to enhance enrolment rates of children with disabilities to align with the national average by 2029 signifies a strong commitment to promoting inclusive education. Ensuring equal access to education for all children, including those with disabilities, is crucial for their holistic development and future opportunities. By prioritizing education, the manifesto aims to break down barriers and create a more inclusive and equitable society where every individual has access to quality education and equal opportunities. 

– Sports: The increased budget allocation for para-athletes and the establishment of state-of-the-art “National Sports Centres for Divyangs” underscores a commitment to promoting inclusivity and diversity in sports. Accessible sports infrastructure and support for para-athletes are essential in enhancing their participation and achievements in sports. By investing in disability sports, the manifesto aims to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities to excel and showcase their talents on a national and international platform, promoting inclusivity and diversity in the sports arena. 

‘Modi ki guarantee’ with respect to citizens with disabilities 

Manifestos play a crucial role in outlining the policy priorities of political parties, reflecting their commitment to addressing various societal needs. In this context, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has included initiatives in its manifestos aimed at supporting citizens with disabilities. These initiatives focus on developing affordable indigenous assistive devices and providing affordable housing priority under the PM Awas Yojana, highlighting efforts to enhance accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities in the country. 

• Developing Affordable Indigenous Assistive Devices for Divyangs: The government is dedicated to creating affordable and locally produced aids and assistive devices to support citizens with disabilities (Divyangs). This initiative aims to enhance accessibility and improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities by providing them with specialized tools and technologies tailored to their needs. 
• Providing Affordable Housing Priority to Divyangs under the PM Awas Yojana: Within the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, there is a focus on ensuring affordable housing options for citizens with disabilities (Divyangs). This prioritization aims to address the housing requirements of individuals with disabilities by offering them accessible and cost-effective housing solutions, promoting inclusivity and equal access to housing opportunities.  

Congress Manifesto and persons with disability  

The provisions outlined in the Congress Party’s manifesto focus on improving the lives of individuals with disabilities in India. Addressing areas such as communication accessibility, educational opportunities, representation in governance, legal protection, and social welfare support, these initiatives aim to enhance inclusivity and support for the disabled community. This commitment reflects a broader societal vision towards promoting equity and accessibility for individuals with disabilities in the country. 

CPI(M) Manifesto 

The CPI(M) manifesto addresses the concerns and rights of citizens with disabilities by proposing inclusive policies and measures. The manifesto emphasizes the need for recognition and redesigning of programs to align with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. It advocates for budgeting allocations, accessibility improvements, and simplification of certification processes to enhance the welfare and empowerment of persons with disabilities. 

Inclusive election manifestos and disability-focused guidelines and manifestos play a pivotal role in shaping policies, programs, and initiatives aimed at promoting representation, inclusion, and empowerment for individuals with disabilities. By prioritizing the needs and rights of the disabled community, political parties and governments contribute to building a more equitable, accessible, and inclusive society where every individual can participate fully and thrive. Through concerted efforts and collaborative action, we can create a future where disability is not a barrier to opportunity, and the individual’s right to live with dignity is not withheld from disabled persons. 

– Written by Akanksha Singh