The urban areas of India continue to develop at an ever-increasing pace. There are metro cities, highway networks, and even the concept of smart cities being developed every other day. However, it is quite common for people with disabilities to find themselves struggling to carry out basic tasks since their surroundings are usually inaccessible.

One of the main reasons why this situation arises is because the urban planning of these cities caters mostly to the able-bodied and accessibility remains neglected.

In addition to the existence of wheelchair ramps, accessibility includes safe walking paths, lifts, accessible buses, pedestrian crossings, and even accessible public toilets. Such provisions facilitate movement throughout the city by disabled people without difficulty. Accessibility can also aid older adults, children, expectant mothers, and several others besides persons with disabilities.

Historically, accessibility has never been considered an important factor. During the colonial rule, towns were constructed mainly for trade and administrative purposes rather than accessibility. Similarly, even after gaining independence, the emphasis remained on alleviating poverty and providing housing; accessibility did not come into the picture.

There are some laws and movements in place in India such as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and Accessible India Campaign to make cities more accessible. However, there is poor enforcement of many regulations, which is why some newly built public places and buildings are not yet accessible.

There is still a lot of stigma regarding disability in India, and the public approach towards disabled persons is largely based on sympathy and pity rather than equality and respect. Moreover, disabled people are not usually involved in planning decisions, which is why urban planners are not aware of the problems that disabled people face in their daily life.

The priorities in urban development are usually related to highways, flyovers, and commercial development. Accessibility is usually perceived as optional and costly. Another reason that urban development often excludes accessibility is that it isn’t something that brings political limelight, unlike highways or roads.

Transportation continues to pose challenges for many disabled individuals. Even when there are facilities such as lifts and ramps available within the subway station, the roads outside are either dangerous or not accessible at all. Further, urban planning programs in India do not give attention to accessibility in their plans.

An inaccessible city environment causes increased feelings of exclusion among disabled individuals. Even small tasks such as commuting or using public streets become an ordeal for them. Accessibility can no longer be viewed as an option, because public spaces are designed for all individuals to make use of them freely.