The Journal of "Disabilities and Impairments"
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Disabilities & Impairments is one of India’s pioneering journals dedicated to addressing the complex and critical issues surrounding disability across the country’s diverse population. Established nearly four decades ago by two visionary academics, the journal has consistently highlighted the multifaceted dimensions of disability and impairment—spanning health, social impact, rehabilitation, and palliative care—long before these concerns gained mainstream policy attention.
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From its inception, the journal played a forward-looking role in shaping discourse and awareness, contributing to the evolution of thought and action in the disability sector. Its sustained advocacy and scholarly engagement are regarded as having influenced early policy development, including the landmark Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act, 1995.
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Over the years, the journal has significantly contributed to strengthening the ecosystem supporting persons with disabilities by promoting research, informing policy, and amplifying critical issues. As it enters a new phase after four decades of uninterrupted publication, Disabilities & Impairments continues to be recognised for its unwavering commitment to an often marginalised section of society facing stigma, limited opportunities, and challenging living conditions.
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In the digital era, the journal has expanded its reach through both print and online platforms, while fostering collaborations with organisations in the field. Notably, its partnership with the Indian Armed Forces has helped extend its impact to underserved regions, further advancing efforts toward inclusive disability management and rehabilitation. Jai Hind!
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The Problem
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A disability is any condition that makes it more difficult for an individual to perform certain activities or interact effectively with their environment, thereby limiting full participation in social and economic life and restricting equal opportunities.
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Disabilities may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or involve multiple conditions. They may be present from birth or acquired later due to occupational hazards, unsafe working conditions, or environmental factors. The challenge is further intensified by systemic constraints such as inadequate public health infrastructure—particularly in rural, remote, and border regions—geographical inaccessibility, malnutrition, low levels of awareness and education, harmful socio-cultural practices, and the limited availability of rehabilitation services at primary healthcare centres.
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The Challenge
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According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. In India, the estimated number is around 90 million. Despite its scale, the issue remains significantly under-recognised and under-addressed. India is also a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Rehabilitation and inclusion present an immense challenge that demands coordinated efforts from government bodies, non-governmental organisations, communities, and civil society at large. In this context, Disabilities & Impairments plays a vital role as a knowledge resource and catalyst in advancing the mainstreaming of persons with disabilities.
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Disabilities and impairments extend beyond medical concerns; they are deeply intertwined with social and economic realities. Their impact spans public health, education, women empowerment, employment, and community participation. India’s vast cultural diversity and varied demographic conditions further add complexity to addressing these issues.
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Achieving meaningful inclusion requires sustained investment in research, field-based interventions tailored to Indian conditions, and active community engagement. Promoting evidence-based practices and fostering collaborative efforts across sectors are essential steps toward ensuring equitable opportunities and full participation for persons with disabilities
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Promoting State Policies
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The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 marks a significant milestone in advancing equal opportunities and inclusion for persons with disabilities in India. The Act introduces several progressive provisions that have far-reaching implications for building an inclusive society. A key feature of the legislation is its recognition of accessibility as fundamental to inclusion, requiring coordinated action across sectors, government departments, and ministries. It also emphasises the active involvement of non-governmental organisations, corporate entities, and community groups in implementing its provisions.
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Importantly, the Act underscores principles of non-discrimination and acknowledges disability as an integral aspect of human diversity. In doing so, it reflects a paradigm shift—from viewing disability solely as a matter of social welfare to recognising it as a fundamental human rights issue. Effective implementation of the Act is essential to achieving inclusive national development. In this context, Disabilities & Impairments continues to play a pioneering and leadership role by supporting awareness, research, and dialogue that contribute to this important national objective
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Publication Aims
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For nearly four decades, Disabilities & Impairments has remained a unique Indian journal dedicated to the study of issues concerning persons with disabilities. It actively promotes research grounded in Indian realities, with a focus on community empowerment, skill development, education, and the lived experiences of professionals and caregivers. The overarching aim is to support the social mainstreaming of persons with disabilities by enabling equal opportunity, full participation, and inclusion.
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As one of the oldest journals in this field in India, it seeks to serve as a central platform connecting organisations, researchers, and practitioners engaged in building an inclusive society where individuals with disabilities can live with dignity and fulfilment. The journal also advances research, advocacy, and collaboration in areas such as prevention of disability, public health, early childhood care and development, and ageing-related concerns. It further encourages discourse on social entrepreneurship models that help remove barriers faced by persons with disabilities.
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The journal serves as a valuable resource for a wide interdisciplinary audience, including researchers, educators, rehabilitation professionals, psychologists, psychiatrists, sociologists, social workers, medical practitioners, and others engaged in related domains. Through its integrative approach, it fosters meaningful networking between experts and persons with disabilities, strengthening collective efforts toward inclusion.
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Its outreach initiatives are particularly focused on rural and underserved regions, aiming to connect rehabilitation professionals with caregivers and individuals at the grassroots level. These efforts enhance coordination across sectors, build community-based rehabilitation capacities, and align research, clinical practice, and training.
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In addressing contemporary societal challenges, the journal features a dedicated section, “Behind the Headlines,” which highlights inspiring yet underreported success stories—such as those of paraplegic soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces and ordinary citizens who transform adversity into opportunity. Additionally, the “News & Notes” segment keeps readers informed of the latest research, innovations, and developments, helping bridge critical knowledge gaps and support ongoing professional growth.
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Journal Milestones & Scope
Disabilities & Impairments has established strong academic credentials over the years, having published nearly 700 nationally and internationally acclaimed research papers. It is a peer-reviewed, biannual, interdisciplinary journal with an Impact Factor of 6.850, and is formally registered with ISSN (Print: 0970-356X; Online: 2582-2047) under registration number RN/507028/87.
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The journal invites a wide range of scholarly contributions—including empirical studies, review articles, brief reports, and case studies—across diverse and interdisciplinary domains. Its scope includes, Preventive health, early childhood care, and malnutrition; Ageing and geriatric concerns; Alcoholism and drug abuse; Lifestyle-related ailments; HIV/AIDS and related health challenges; Environmental hazards and their impact; Educational issues, guidance, and counselling; Women’s health, empowerment, and wellbeing; Community-based rehabilitation and capacity-building initiatives.
In addition, the journal actively encourages research and practice-oriented work addressing the 21 categories of disabilities recognised under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Through its broad and integrative scope, the journal continues to foster meaningful dialogue, innovation, and evidence-based practices in the field of disability and public health.
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​Tie-up with the Indian Armed Forces
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Disabilities & Impairments is among the very few Indian journals to collaborate with the Indian Armed Forces in advancing its broader social mission. This partnership aims to connect rehabilitation professionals with persons with disabilities living in remote, underserved, and border regions—areas that are often difficult to access through conventional systems. These include locations such as Tawang, Seppa, East Kameng, Ziro, Lower Subansiri, Tamenglong, Hut Bay, and interior regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
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In many parts of Northeast India and other border areas, difficult terrain, limited infrastructure, and poor connectivity create significant barriers to the delivery of rehabilitation and healthcare services. Accessibility remains one of the most critical challenges in reaching affected populations. The collaboration with the Indian Armed Forces addresses this gap by leveraging the reach, logistical strength, and adaptability of the armed forces. Indian soldiers, with their exceptional ability to operate in challenging conditions, serve as vital enablers in extending support services to these regions.
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This integration is also strategic in nature—it introduces discipline, coordination, and efficiency into outreach efforts while acting as a force multiplier. It complements governmental initiatives in social reform and helps build trust and engagement with border communities, thereby strengthening both service delivery and national integration efforts.
The People
Disabilities & Impairments was founded in 1987 by two distinguished academics, Prof Arun K. Sen and Dr Roopa Vohra. Prof. Sen served as the Head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Delhi, while Dr. Vohra was an accomplished researcher known for her work on women’s issues, stress management, and preventive health.
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Both founders were deeply influenced by the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and impairments. Recognising the urgent need for greater awareness and scholarly engagement, they dedicated themselves to bringing these issues into academic and public discourse. Their vision was not only to highlight the concerns of this marginalised group but also to foster meaningful research and dialogue aimed at solutions.
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Under their leadership, the journal quickly gained recognition and credibility, making significant inroads among academics, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and non-governmental organisations. Their stewardship laid a strong foundation for the journal’s enduring role as a catalyst for research, advocacy, and inclusive development.
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​The journal’s eminence owed much to the reputation of its founders. Prof Arun K. Sen was not only a well respected academic but was also known as the recipient of several international fellowships and awards. The included the Commonwealth scholarship awarded by the British Government; Fulbright-Hays Senior Fellowship awarded by the U.S. Government; visiting fellowship awarded by the University of California, Berkeley; and the senior fellowship awarded by the University of Bergen, Norway. He was the recipient of the "National Lectureship" award conferred by the UGC (1986-87) and the "Swami Pranavannand Award" for writing the best book of the year (1982) in Psychology and Education. He had chaired many important committees on inclusive development; he was also member National Advisory Commission on Mental Health, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
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Dr Roopa Vohra holds a Ph.D. from the University of Delhi. Her pre-doctoral work, titled “Status, Education & Problems of Indian Women,” was published as a book and recognized as a standard textbook in Education by the National Educational Resource Centre, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India (1988). She has an extensive body of scholarly work, including numerous widely acclaimed research papers and book chapters spanning diverse areas such as intellectual disability, drug abuse, leprosy, AIDS, stress, emerging lifestyle challenges, women’s empowerment, and Ayurvedic healing and its relevance to modern well-being. She is the executive editor of the journal.
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​The journal has an editorial board headed by Professor [Dr] Madhulekha Bhattacharya, a former Dean of Studies and Head of the Department of Community Health Administration at the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi. She has also served as Head of Jan Sankhya Sthirata Kosh under the Ministry of Health, Government of India. She is a recipient of numerous prestigious fellowships awarded by the Government of India and leading international organizations, including UNAIDS, UNFPA, WHO, the East-West Center (Hawaii, USA), the Faculty of Public Health Medicine at the Royal College of Physicians (UK), the Population Association of America, the Fogarty International Center at Johns Hopkins University (USA), DFID–British Council Faculty Exchange Programme, and Partners in Population and Development (PPD), Dhaka, Bangladesh, among others
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Lt General P.G. Kamath [Retired]., Special Rapporteur, National Human Right Commission, Government of India, for Three States of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana is another prominent member of the editorial board. General officer has rendered invaluable services to the Government in monitoring & surveillances on Primary Health Centers, District Hospitals & Community Health Centers, Old Age Homes, Juvenile Hostels, immunization & mid day meal programmes & bonded labour trafficking amongst many other critical community development programme strengthening nation inclusive development.
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Dr Tojo Thatchenkery, an Indian scholar and currently Professor & Director, M.S. Organization Development & Knowledge Management (ODKM), Schar School, George Mason University. USA. He is the author of over a dozen books and one hundred articles. One of them, Appreciative Intelligence: Seeing the Mighty Oak in the Acorn was a Harvard Business Review recommended book. Professor Thatchenkery is on the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Behavioral Sciences and the Journal of Organizational Change Management. He has over twenty five years of experience in teaching at various Public Policy, MBA, Organization Development, and executive development programs in the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
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Colonel Tapash Chatterjee is a decorated officer of the Indian Army. He combined his vision with his man management skills to conceptualize and implement the mission ‘Ability Beyond Disability’ as First Nodal officer in conjunction with Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India & Indian Army. The Mission was aimed at restoring the dignity of persons with disabilities, strengthen the grassroots & community level activities by connecting rehabilitation professionals with those in need, residing in remote, under-served and border areas of the country. The mission work reported in Niti Ayog Report for outstanding strategies on effective & efficient Implementation with Sterling Performances covering remote, underserved border areas of India. He is a strong advocate of social entrepreneurship and adding positive value to society through empowerment & development. He also serves as Chief Administrative Officer for large-scale societal development initiatives in remote and underserved areas.
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About the Publisher
The journal’s Executive Editor Dr Roopa Vohra, who is the proprietor of Akshat Publication, is the publisher. Akshat Publication has its registered address at T-10 Usha Chambers, Central Market, Ashok Vihar, New Delhi-110052.
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Disabilities & Impairments, an interdisciplinary research journal, was established in the year 1987 accredited with ISSN (print) 0970 356X & ISSN (online) 2582-2047 with registration number RN/507028/87.
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DISCLAIMER
THE “DISABILITIES & IMPAIRMENTS” JOURNAL (EST 1987) DOES NOT LEVY OR CHARGE ANY PUBLISHING FEE OR PROCESSING FEE OR VALIDATION FEE IN CASH OR KIND OR IN ANY FORM OR WHATSOEVER. READERS MAY PLEASE CONTACT US BY EMAIL FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
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