NALSA Conducts National Webinar On International Day Of Persons with Disabilities

The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) today organised a National Webinar to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, aligned with the United Nations' 2025 theme — “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress.”

The Webinar commenced with the Welcome Address by Shri. Sanjiv Pandey, Member Secretary, NALSA, who reaffirmed the statutory mandate of ensuring accessibility and non-discrimination, setting the context for the Keynote Address by the Executive Chairman, NALSA. Delivering the Keynote Address,  Mr. Justice Vikram Nath, Judge, Supreme Court of India & Executive Chairman, NALSA, emphasised that disability inclusion is a matter of justice, not charity. Justice Nathstated, “Inclusion is not an act of charity; it is an act of affirmation of equal personhood,” explaining that inclusion means creating a new, better space where every individual can participate fully and meaningfully. He further added that, “When we remove the barriers, we do more than create accessibility; we unlock human potential.”

Recalling Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's interaction with differently-abled children at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Justice Nath referred to young Mustafa's poem “Courage,” in which he writes, “I don't have legs. My mind says: Don't weep, don't weep For I need not bow even in front of a King.”

Justice Nath noted that such expressions of dignity and optimism exemplify tshe spirit with which societies must approach disability inclusion—transforming barriers into strength.

Justice Nath emphasised at the outset that legal aid outreach must be disability-inclusive, with DLSAs regularly visiting hospitals, mental health institutions, special schools and community centres and ensuring that mobile legal services vans and legal literacy camps reach persons who cannot approach the system. He further stated that disability sensitisation should be a mandatory part of training for Judges, Panel Lawyers, Police Personnel and court staff and should ideally be co-designed with organisations of persons with disabilities.

Justice Nath also urged Legal Services Institutions to assist persons with disabilities in accessing key welfare schemes such as Unique Disability ID (UDID), Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP), Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS), etc. and called for legal information to be made widely available in multiple accessible formats such as Braille, audio, large-print and universally accessible digital formats.

Concluding his address, Justice Nath reflected upon Helen Keller's reminder that, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow,” emphasising that optimism, dignity and hope must guide society's approach to disability inclusion. Justice Nath expressed confidence that with collective resolve, institutions can transform this spirit into stronger, actionable commitments for disability-inclusive justice.

Two technical sessions followed, focusing on implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the NALSA (Legal Services to Persons with Mental Illness and Persons with Intellectual Disabilities) Scheme, 2024, accessibility in legal processes, and key government schemes for persons with disabilities. A resource person, Former State Disability Commissioner, shared insights on a range of Central and State Government schemes available to persons with disabilities, underscoring the importance of coherent policy frameworks that integrate welfare access and inclusive service delivery.

The Open House Session saw participation from Member Secretaries of SLSAs, Secretaries of DLSAs, PLVs, Panel Advocates and academicians, who shared select best practices and raised practical queries on strengthening reasonable accommodation, coordination with disability authorities and digital accessibility. The dialogue reaffirmed NALSA's role as a platform for cross-learning and for advancing disability-inclusive justice at the grassroots.

Reaffirming its mandate under Article 39A, NALSA reiterated its commitment to advancing an accessible, dignified and responsive justice system for persons with disabilities. The Webinar concluded with an Address by Shri Kunal Vepa, Director, NALSA, who thanked all participants and affirmed NALSA's resolve to strengthen disabilityinclusive legal aid and promote barrier-free justice delivery nationwide.