The Government of India has instituted a new disability law regime with enactment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
The new disability law regime is modeled on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2007, ratified by India nearly a decade ago, requiring signatories to guarantee equality and all human rights to persons with disabilities.
India’s new disability law regime replaces the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 and is significantly more robust and protective of persons with disabilities.
Changes from the old regime include:
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Expansion of the scope of the term “persons with disability”;
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Expansion of the scope of the term “private establishment”;
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Extension of applicability to and obligations of private establishments; and
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Redress mechanisms and penalties available for aggrieved individuals.
The Indian law firm INDUSLAW, an affiliate member of the L&E Global alliance, has prepared a summary of the key points of the new disability law regime and its effect on private establishments, available here.
