Theme – Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress
Disability has evolved over the Century from charity to professionalism to the rights-based model. Over the past 5 decades, there have been 2 major legislative changes in India as mentioned below –
The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 – The International Year for the Disabled Persons in 1981 induced these Guidelines for appropriate governments to ensure welfare of Persons with Disabilities.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 – The United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006 introduced the long awaiting Rights aspect for Persons with Disabilities in mandatory and time bound manner.
The Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) has become the mandatory identity of Indian Persons with Disabilities since July 2024. UDID is the foundation that fosters provision of appropriate accommodation for Persons with Disabilities. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) is the core subject that imparts skills in diagnosis and management for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. The PMR specialist links up the person to his/her society and guides the engineers to provide accessible environment. This liaison ensures advancing social progress of Persons with Disabilities.
Disability rehabilitation was offered important status in Primary Healthcare by the National Health Policy, 2017. PMR introduced in MBBS curriculum during 2019 offers them wider dimension of medical rehabilitation. The IAPMR has introduced the MBBS students to the subject of PMR on 6 July 2025 through social media platforms on the occasion of the National PMR Day. IAPMR went a step further on 5 September 2025 during the Spinal Cord Injury Day to offer them a hint to comprehensive rehabilitation. Starting next year, they will earn practical skills in PMR during internship.
The Indian Blind Women’s Cricket Team had a mention in Mann Ki Baat on 30th November 2025 for winning the First Blind Women’s T-20 World Cup. Imagine the wider prospect of the budding MBBS introduced to PMR when they specialize in Ophthalmology to ensure that blind and low vision rehabilitation becomes easy for them. Thus, the Medical Doctors are getting ready to ensure that Persons with Disabilities become productive citizens contributing to the GDP of the Nation in “Sabka Prayas” as appealed by the Hon. Prime Minister of India.
Thus, PMR promises fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress through medical diagnosis, management and certification. IAPMR holds the unique and fortunate place in empowering Persons with Disabilities in India.
