Census 2027: Paving the Way for Disability Inclusion

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has described the upcoming Census 2027 as a "historic opportunity" to accurately document data on all 21 recognized categories of disabilities, thereby enabling targeted and informed policymaking for individuals with disabilities.

Speaking at the launch of a handbook, 'Beyond the Visible: A Handbook on Disability Inclusion for Parliamentarians,' Athawale stressed that the census, the first since the enactment of the landmark Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, will improve data quality and drive effective government interventions for better inclusion.

The handbook, crafted by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) with Bajaj Finserv, aims to assist parliamentarians in translating legal provisions into actionable policy. The event featured a panel discussion on inclusive health coverage and political participation, highlighting the inclusive healthcare policies needed under schemes like Ayushman Bharat.