Top court rules that disabled people have a fundamental right to accessibility.

• The Supreme Court of India has affirmed the right of disabled persons to access environments, services, and opportunities.
• The court noted that disability is a tragedy if society fails to provide essential things for people with disabilities.
• The court noted that while Delhi has 3,775 low-floor wheelchair-accessible CNG buses, Tamil Nadu has only 1,917 such buses.
• The court also highlighted the overlooked needs of persons with disabilities, particularly regarding access to love, desire, and intimacy.
• The court found that aspects of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules prescribing accessibility standards were not mandatory by nature, leading to “dismal” compliance at the ground level.
• The court directed the government to issue fresh Rules with mandatory standards for accessibility within three months.
• The court emphasized that disability is not inherent in the person but is created by external factors such as physical, organizational, and attitudinal barriers.
• The court called for the creation of public and private spaces, services, and products of an “universal design” that could be accessed by everyone, regardless of their ability, age, or status.