Navigating Blindness in India: A Case Study of Systemic Barriers, Legal Gaps, and the Lived Reality of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

This empirical study presents an in-depth case analysis of Kirtiraj (a pseudonym), a 30-year-old visually impaired man from Agra, India, to critically examine the implementation gap between the progressive mandates of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and the lived realities of persons with disabilities (PwDs). Through a detailed narrative of his life—spanning early childhood, educational trajectory, examination experiences, and social aspirations—the study identifies persistent systemic failures. Key findings reveal a chronic lack of accessible infrastructure, denial of reasonable accommodations, absence of institutional accountability, and a profound unawareness of legal entitlements among rights-holders themselves. The analysis, grounded in the Social Model of Disability and a Critical Social Work perspective, demonstrates that Kirtiraj's struggles are not a consequence of his impairment, but of societal and institutional barriers. This case study underscores that progressive legislation alone is insufficient; meaningful inclusion requires a paradigm shift from a medical/welfare model to a rights-based approach, demanding robust implementation mechanisms, widespread awareness, and a transformation of deep-seated social attitudes.