EMPOWERING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH ICT: LEGAL RECOGNITION, POLICY FRAMEWORK, AND INCLUSIVE SUPPORT IN INDIA
AUTHOR – TMT. AEHAHINI, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT CHENNAI DR. AMBEDKAR GOVERNMENT LAW COLLEGE, PUDUPAKKAM
BEST CITATION – TMT. AEHAHINI, EMPOWERING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH ICT: LEGAL RECOGNITION, POLICY FRAMEWORK, AND INCLUSIVE SUPPORT IN INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (11) OF 2025, PG. 408-412, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344
Abstract
Empowering persons with disabilities through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) reflects a fundamental shift in India’s legal and institutional approach toward equality, dignity, and inclusion. Anchored in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and supported by national programmes like Digital India and Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, ICT has become central to ensuring access to education, employment, communication, and public services for individuals with diverse disabilities. Assistive tools such as screen readers, speech-to-text converters, and AI-powered navigation devices enable independent learning and mobility, while inclusive digital platforms expand professional opportunities and civic participation. Judicial pronouncements, including National Federation of the Blind v. UPSC and Deaf Employees Welfare Association v. Union of India, have reinforced the constitutional imperative of using technology to bridge systemic barriers. Regulatory bodies like UGC, AICTE, and RCI have also institutionalized accessibility standards, inclusive pedagogy, and academic accommodations. While AI further enhances personalized support, ethical concerns and uneven access highlight the need for responsible design and implementation. Ensuring universal access, affordability, and awareness remains key to transforming ICT from a technological aid into a rights-based instrument of empowerment for persons with disabilities.
Key words: ICT, Persons with Disabilities, RPwD Act 2016, Assistive Technology, Inclusive Education, Digital Accessibility, AI for Inclusion, Disability Rights, Dworkin’s Law as Integrity, , WCAG, Equal Opportunity, Empowerment, Indian Legal Framework