BARRIERS TO EQUALITY: A SOCIO-LEGAL ANALYSIS OF THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN GUJARAT

Abstract

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Gujarat, as in the rest of India, face significant barriers to equality despite legal protections designed to safeguard their rights. This paper presents a socio-legal analysis of the challenges PWDs encounter in the state of Gujarat, focusing on the legal frameworks, judicial interventions, and socio-economic factors that impact the realization of their rights. While laws such as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, provide a robust framework for protection, the practical implementation of these laws often falls short due to infrastructural, societal, and systemic barriers. This study examines how judicial interventions and social policies address these challenges, highlighting the gaps in enforcement and the need for further reforms.