THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (RPWD) ACT, 2016, which came into full force from April 19, 2017, has promised to counter the various hurdles and struggles faced by persons with disabilities and also to bring about their inclusive development in the country. Through this Act, provisions of equal opportunity and equity to persons with disabilities became possible so as to make them live a life on an equal basis with able-bodied persons in society.
The RPwD Act replaced the Persons with Disabilities (‘PwD’) Act, 1995 and the list of disabilities was extended to twenty one types, increasing from the previous list of seven types of disabilities. Once it came into full force, the Union government advised all the state authorities to take necessary plans and measures for the effective implementation of the Act.
The Act also came into force in Mizoram, which became the twenty third state of India in 1987 and the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Mizoram has been tasked with the strict invigilation and proper implementation of this Act in the state. Under the leadership and guidance of State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities, notable changes and improvements started to happen for persons with disabilities.
