India’s disability divide persists, women most excluded by new infrastructure

By: Team India Tracker

Inclusive infrastructure is often dismissed as charity, not a necessity. Developers focus on costs, and public agencies point to funding, even though upfront planning keeps expenses low

India marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities last week with the usual speeches about inclusion and equality. But beyond the ceremonies lies a tougher truth: the country is building faster than ever—homes, transport systems, offices, campuses—and much of this new infrastructure still excludes the people who need accessibility the most. For millions of Indians with disabilities, progress is something they hear about far more often than they experience.

The construction boom has not translated into real, usable accessibility. The country has detailed building codes that require ramps, wider doors, barrier-free toilets, Braille-equipped elevators, and tactile signage. On paper, the rules look strong. In practice, they are often treated like bureaucratic formalities rather than basic design principles. Developers frequently install ramps that are too steep, “accessible” toilets without grab bars, or elevators missing audio cues or Braille panels. Even high-end public infrastructure—airports, metro lines, government buildings—shows inconsistent compliance. For many people with disabilities, simply moving through the built environment is a daily exercise in improvisation and patience.

The education system mirrors these failures. Universities often advertise inclusivity but do little to make campuses genuinely accessible. Hostels are rarely wheelchair-friendly, ramps are broken or badly angled, libraries lack accessible catalogues, and assistive devices are limited or poorly maintained. Students with disabilities often depend more on helpful classmates than on institutional support. This shows up clearly in the data: literacy among persons with disabilities is around 54 per cent, well below the national average, and the gap is wider for women. As education levels rise, participation drops sharply—only about 11 per cent finish primary school, fewer than 10 per cent complete middle or higher secondary, and just 3 per cent reach graduation.

It is in this broader context that former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud faced the same obstacles that millions experience. After retiring, he tried to rent a home in Delhi, only to find that even upscale neighbourhoods lacked apartments that could meet the needs of his two adopted daughters with disabilities. Doorways were too narrow, bathrooms inaccessible, and elevators unreliable. “Every house we go to is just not equipped,” he had said. His experience was far from unusual. What made it striking was who was facing it—the country’s former top judge, reduced to the same exhausting search as any family looking for an accessible home.

India’s labour market reflects similar systemic gaps. Only about 8 per cent of women with disabilities participate in the workforce, with men doing only slightly better. Corporate India talks about diversity, but real workplace accessibility is limited. Offices often fail even basic standards. Government job reservations exist in theory, but many posts remain unfilled. Exclusion begins early in life—in inaccessible classrooms—and compounds by adulthood.

The deeper problem is conceptual. India still treats accessibility as charity or welfare instead of core infrastructure. Developers see it as a cost, not a responsibility or a market opportunity. Public agencies blame funding, even though accessible design adds little cost when planned upfront. Universal design, which benefits not just disabled individuals but also older adults, children, pregnant women, and anyone with temporary injuries, remains rare.

There has been progress, but it is uneven. Awareness has improved in larger cities. Technology—screen readers, navigation apps—has made life easier for some. Courts continue to push governments to follow the law. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016 promised a more inclusive future. But enforcement is weak, and implementation varies widely.

India’s celebrations last week showed what the country hopes to become. The reality shows how far it still has to go. The question now is no longer whether India is growing—it is whether that growth is accessible to everyone.