Justice B V Nagarathna, Chairperson of the Supreme Court’s Juvenile Justice Committee, is advocating for significant reforms in the support systems for children with disabilities. Her focus is on improving data collection, ensuring lifelong financial assistance, and promoting inclusive education.
During the 9th Annual National Stakeholders Consultation on “Protecting the Rights of Children Living with Disabilities,” Justice Nagarathna highlighted the existing gaps in support for these children. She urged a collaborative approach among various stakeholders to tackle these challenges effectively.
She pointed out the critical shortage of reliable data regarding the number of children with disabilities in India. Justice Nagarathna warned that without early intervention, these children may be left behind. She also noted that India’s vast diversity means a one-size-fits-all solution is not practical.
Emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis, she stated that anganwadis—the first point of contact for many children—must be better equipped. Justice Nagarathna called for enhanced training and resources for anganwadi workers to enable them to diagnose disabilities effectively.
She also referenced the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which guarantees educational access for children with disabilities. “We must ensure that the RTE for children with disabilities is genuinely enforced, not just on paper,” she stressed.
Justice Nagarathna insisted that inclusive education should be a government priority, stating that schools must have the necessary infrastructure and resources to accommodate children with disabilities. She appealed to Anil Malik, Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, to ensure that disability pensions for children are provided for life.
She highlighted the need for state disability commissioners or other agencies to oversee the effective implementation of these programs. “Disability pensions must be lifelong benefits. This is crucial for the financial security and well-being of children with disabilities,” she said.
Additionally, Justice Nagarathna supported the idea of using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding to enhance state and national initiatives for children with disabilities. She emphasized that the private sector has a role in fostering a more inclusive society and that CSR funds could provide essential support for disability programs.
“Our justice and child protection systems must be accessible to every child, including those with disabilities,” she stated. She called for measures to protect children with disabilities from discrimination and to ensure they receive the same legal protections and services as all other children.
Finally, Justice Nagarathna underscored the need to provide children with disabilities the opportunity to grow up in supportive family environments. “We must work to ensure that these children are raised in loving, nurturing surroundings that promote their growth and independence,” she said. “This requires collaboration between the government, non-governmental organizations, and families.”
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