“Despite progressive endeavours, such as the Accessible India Campaign and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, glaring gaps remain in the lived experiences of people with disabilities”
| Photo Credit: Getty Images/iSports
As Harmanpreet Kaur went out to bat during the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Sharjah, millions were glued to their screens, including Sanskriti’s 86-year-old grandfather, a former player who once captained India’s deaf cricket team. While he always marvels at the action on the field, something else caught his attention this time: a sign language interpreter at the corner of the screen, translating every nuance of the game. For the first time, he could follow the commentary and post-match speeches without relying on us. Earlier this year, on Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Star Sports and Disney+Hotstar incorporated features that made live cricket accessible to India’s 63 million hearing impaired and five million visually impaired citizens. Finally, the sport Sanskriti’s grandfather loved was truly within reach.
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2026, we must strive for better implementation of the Convention at the national level, particularly through the recognition of the linguistic human rights of hearing impaired people. This is crucial because, for most Indians, cricket is more than just a sport; it cultivates a sense of national belonging. Yet, this camaraderie unintentionally leaves many behind, especially the 90 million persons with disabilities.
A sense of isolation
Despite progressive endeavours, such as the Accessible India Campaign and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, glaring gaps remain in the lived experiences of people with disabilities. They feel isolated not because of their condition, but because of social barriers. The world is unfortunately designed for able-bodied people and the exclusion of persons with disabilities persists in the way buildings, sidewalks, stadiums, movie theatres, seating areas, and even washrooms are built. Legal mandates such as ramps and tactile paving are either absent or are merely tokenistic gestures.
The same inaccessibility can be seen in cricketing infrastructure too, whether in stadiums or on live broadcasts. While ongoing state efforts towards inclusivity in the education and health sectors are relevant, the private entertainment sector also requires attention. Persons with disabilities are not just citizens with capacity-building requirements; they are also individuals with the need to explore recreational avenues. That this has not been recognised by entertainment providers begs the question of whether our collective idea of leisure is inherently ableist. In theatres, where cricket matches are increasingly being screened, we rarely pause to wonder about access for wheelchair users or assistive devices for visually impaired people. This highlights the need to integrate accessibility into popular culture so that every person can reclaim their right to leisure.
However, enabling people to exercise their right to leisure does not end with making infrastructure accessible; it also demands showcasing inclusive stories in popular entertainment. Films such as Margarita with a Straw (2014) and Srikanth (2024) lent great depth and sensitivity to the representation of disability in cinema. Such films challenge the public’s unidimensional perspective on disability, while also making persons with disabilities feel seen and heard. They help shed light on the state of accessibility, prompting slow but steady public shifts towards making future entertainment infrastructure more inclusive.
Steps in the right direction
The government is also increasingly aware of the intersection between entertainment and inclusivity. A recent ruling by a Supreme Court bench, headed by former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, stated that stereotyping differently abled persons in visual media and films perpetuates discrimination. The Court said that creators ought to provide an accurate representation of disabilities rather than mocking them. This is a step in the right direction.
Private players are also widening the scope for accessibility in subtle ways. We now have subtitles and audio descriptions on OTT platforms. These measures are convenient for everyone, including able-bodied persons, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. As technology continues to permeate our society, especially with the rise of Artificial Intelligence, we may soon see many more such measures.
Building disability friendly ecosystems is no longer about philanthropic leanings. Globally, the total spending power of 1 billion persons with disabilities, including their family and friends who are likely to make accessibility-based choices, is estimated at $13 trillion, an untapped opportunity. Investing in one’s business to serve potential consumers and to build million-dollar revenues in the process is a strategic decision. These endeavours signal the recognition of individuals with disabilities as valued consumers and as crucial contributors to our economy.
Accessibility initiatives undertaken by different platforms in recent times offer a glimpse of what the future can be — a world where persons with disabilities are active participants in the entertainment industry. These efforts redefine the identities of persons with disabilities and give them both respect and a sense of belonging. This shift reminds us that a true community leaves no one behind.
Sanskriti Bhatia Former Consultant at Young Leaders for Active Citizenship, an Indian Sign Language Interpreter, and an MPP candidate at the University of Cambridge; Shivangi Tyagi, Officer, Programs and Policy Communications at Young Leaders for Active Citizenship
Published – December 03, 2024 01:17 am IST
