In Brief
A visually disabled activist filed this public interest petition seeking accessibility measures for disabled persons in Indian roads, transport, and public buildings. The Court recognized that disability rights flow from constitutional guarantees of life with dignity (Article 21), international human rights norms, and statutory obligations under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The judgment established that accessibility is not charity but a fundamental right, binding both government and private entities. The Court directed states and the union to implement specific accessibility standards—including auditory signals at traffic lights, tactile paving, accessible buildings, airports, and railways—with progressive timelines culminating in full compliance by June 2019, emphasizing equal participation and dignity for persons with disabilities."
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