Objective and Scope
Objective
Disabilities & Impairment seeks to provide a vibrant platform for researchers, professionals, policymakers, rehabilitation practitioners, community workers, and persons with disabilities to generate, disseminate, and exchange functional knowledge related to disability and impairment in the Indian context. The journal is committed to promoting inclusive development, advancing evidence-based practices, and restoring the dignity, rights, and equal participation of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in every sphere of society.
Scope
Established in 1987, Disabilities & Impairment has consistently promoted interdisciplinary research, innovative grassroots interventions, and scholarly discourse on disability, rehabilitation, inclusion, and human development. Over the decades, the journal has remained committed to identifying barriers faced by persons with disabilities and advancing practical, sustainable, and inclusive solutions that enable their full participation in social, educational, economic, and community life.
The journal has published about 700 nationally and internationally acclaimed research papers, covering a wide spectrum of subjects, including disability prevention, early childhood intervention, rehabilitation sciences, assistive technology, preventive healthcare, lifestyle disorders, stress management, substance abuse, environmental health, ageing, palliative care, inclusive education, community-based rehabilitation, and disability policy.
In collaboration with nationally reputed institutions, the journal has also supported pioneering capacity-building programmes under the leadership of Prof. Arun K. Sen and Prof. Madhulekha Bhattacharya, strengthening professional competencies in rehabilitation and inclusive development.
A distinctive contribution of the journal has been its field-based research and community outreach undertaken in partnership with the Indian Armed Forces, rehabilitation professionals, and local communities. These initiatives have reached underserved and strategically important regions, including the North-East, Little Andaman Island, the high-altitude and snow-bound areas of Pir Panjal, Batalik, Jammu & Kashmir, and Kargil in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Through the flagship mission "Ability Beyond Disability," implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, rehabilitation services and advanced Indian assistive technologies have been delivered to persons with disabilities at their doorstep. These initiatives have also generated valuable primary research data for scholars, academicians, rehabilitation professionals, and policymakers engaged in inclusive development. The mission's achievements have been acknowledged by NITI Aayog as an example of exemplary professional practice.
Recognising that meaningful inclusion requires active community participation, the journal features the unique section "Behind the Headlines," highlighting inspiring stories and lived experiences that often remain unnoticed by mainstream media. These narratives document the resilience of civilians with disabilities, caregivers, and disabled veterans of the Indian Armed Forces, demonstrating how determination, courage, and community support can transform adversity into opportunity.
The journal strongly supports the principles embodied in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which marked a significant transition from a welfare-oriented approach to a rights-based framework for disability in India. The Act expanded the recognised categories of disabilities from seven to twenty-one and strengthened provisions relating to education, employment, social protection, accessibility, and equal opportunity. The journal continues to advocate the effective implementation of these provisions while promoting universal accessibility and inclusive public infrastructure.
Long before disability emerged as a national policy priority, Disabilities & Impairment had already begun documenting issues related to health, rehabilitation, environmental influences, social participation, palliative care, and inclusive development. Through sustained academic engagement and public awareness, the journal has contributed to shaping informed discourse on disability and supporting policy development in India. It proudly acknowledges its role in fostering the environment that culminated in the enactment of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, and continues to advance the ideals of self-reliance and empowerment envisioned under the national mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
As the journal embraces the digital era, it is expanding its global reach through enhanced online dissemination, a modern digital platform, and stronger collaboration with academic institutions, rehabilitation organisations, civil society, and government agencies. It remains committed to serving as a bridge between research, policy, professional practice, and community action, thereby contributing to an inclusive and equitable society where every individual, irrespective of disability, can realise their full potential.
The journal invites researchers, professionals, institutions, policymakers, non-governmental organisations, and the wider community to join this collective endeavour towards building a more accessible, inclusive, and compassionate India.
Jai Hind!