disability rights advocates

Haben Girma became the first deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School by adapting to a system that wasn't built for her. Her journey highlights how crucial access and accommodation are for enabling talent to surface, transforming personal necessity into a powerful advocacy for inclusion.

A new Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed by Parliament, is criticized for undermining constitutional rights and Supreme Court judgments. The law redefines 'transgender persons,' removing self-determination and potentially excluding many individuals, including gender queer persons. Critics argue it attacks privacy and dignity, disregarding years of progress and stakeholder consultations.

The Supreme Court has ruled that adoptive mothers are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave, regardless of the child's age, overturning a previous three-month limit. This landmark decision, following a five-year legal battle, recognizes the unique challenges faced by adoptive mothers in integrating children into their homes and families.

As the Assam elections approach, a remarkable coalition of women activists has launched a transformative manifesto emphasizing gender equality. Crafted with input from around 200 women representing a multitude of perspectives, the document calls on political parties to center women's rights in their agendas.

The Center for Social Science Initiatives at Jamia Millia Islamia convened an insightful seminar-workshop titled 'Disability and Social Inclusion in India.' The event underscored the importance of justice and diversity, calling for a transformative mindset

Democratic senators are pressing the Trump administration for clarity on the future of special education amid plans to dismantle the Department of Education and shift services to the Department of Health and Human Services. Concerns are growing over how these changes will impact students with disabilities, with lawmakers and advocates demanding assurances that their legal rights and educational access remain protected.

Judicial officers and legal professionals in Aizawl were urged to champion the rights of persons with disabilities under the 2016 Act. Justice Michael Zothankhuma stressed empathetic treatment and legal protection, while also noting potential misuse of rights. The training aimed to enhance understanding and application of the law, fostering better support for PwDs.

Is the system, in the name of helping the disabled, harming them? A talk by a disability activist on Tuesday provoked the thought.

Its demands include inclusion of disabled people living in institutions on the rolls, making the election website accessible, allotting personal assistance at polling booths and creating a short film to raise awareness on voting rights among disabled.

Desai, who was struck by polio at the age of four, has experienced the hindrances - both mental and physical - in the way of PwDs especially in a country like India.