Navigating life as a consumer with disability

Challenges faced by disabled consumers:

• Inaccessibility of goods and services and customer support options
• Remains invisible to businesses and corporates

Different reforms to address the concerns of disabled:

• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPWDA) and the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) empower consumers with disabilities.
• RPWDA mandates universally designed consumer goods and accessible services.
• Complaints under RPWDA go to Disability Commissions, with non-binding directives.

The way ahead:

• CPA lacks specific provisions for consumers with disabilities, unlike RPWDA.
• Aligning CPA with RPWDA is crucial for equal protection and accessibility.
• Businesses should make offerings accessible to tap the market of persons with disabilities.
• Awareness about rights and resources can be raised through initiatives like Jago Grahak Jago Campaign.
• Government could consider bringing comprehensive accessibility guidelines for all goods and services.

Source: The Hindu