21 Disabilities Recognized Under the RPwD Act, 2016
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, expanded the scope of disabilities from the previous 7 to 21, ensuring broader recognition and protection of rights for people with diverse disabilities. Below are the 21 disabilities covered under the Act:
- Blindness
Complete loss of sight, making the person unable to see, requiring support and accommodation in daily life and work. - Low Vision
Significant impairment of visual function that cannot be corrected with standard glasses or contact lenses, but the person still has partial vision. - Leprosy Cured Persons
Individuals cured of leprosy but still suffering from:- Loss of sensation in hands or feet,
- Deformity and damage that limits movement,
- Visual impairment or other serious disabilities caused by leprosy.
- Hearing Impairment (Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
Includes individuals with profound hearing loss (deaf) or partial hearing loss (hard of hearing), impacting communication and day-to-day activities. - Locomotor Disability
Disability affecting a person’s ability to move, including paralysis or the loss of a limb, restricting mobility and physical independence. - Dwarfism
A genetic or medical condition leading to short stature (height), typically below 4 feet 10 inches in adults, affecting body proportions and overall health. - Intellectual Disability
Significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, which includes everyday social and practical skills, generally emerging before adulthood. - Mental Illness
Any disorder involving the mind, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, that substantially impairs a person’s judgment, behavior, and ability to function in daily life. - Autism Spectrum Disorder
A developmental disorder affecting communication, behavior, and interaction with the world, with a wide range of symptoms and degrees of impairment. - Cerebral Palsy
A group of disorders that affect movement and muscle coordination, often due to brain damage before or at birth, causing varying degrees of physical disability.
- Muscular Dystrophy
A group of genetic disorders causing progressive weakness and degeneration of muscles, affecting movement and leading to severe disability over time. - Chronic Neurological Conditions
Disorders of the nervous system that persist over time, including diseases like epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. - Specific Learning Disabilities
Neurodevelopmental disorders that affect the ability to read, write, and do mathematical calculations, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. - Multiple Sclerosis
A chronic autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the central nervous system, leading to a wide range of neurological symptoms and disabilities. - Speech and Language Disability
A communication disorder that limits a person’s ability to speak or use language properly, impacting both verbal expression and comprehension. - Thalassemia
A hereditary blood disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production, leading to anemia and other health complications requiring regular treatment. - Hemophilia
A genetic disorder causing a deficiency in the blood’s ability to clot properly, resulting in excessive bleeding from injuries and spontaneous bleeding episodes. - Sickle Cell Disease
A group of inherited red blood cell disorders that cause cells to become misshapen and break down, leading to chronic pain and health complications. - Multiple Disabilities including Deafblindness
A combination of two or more disabilities, such as deafblindness (both hearing and vision impairment), leading to severe communication and learning challenges. - Acid Attack Victims
Persons who have suffered physical and emotional trauma from acid attacks, resulting in disfigurement and lasting medical and psychological challenges. - Parkinson’s Disease
A degenerative neurological condition that primarily affects movement, causing tremors, rigidity, and other motor control difficulties.
