As a person with visual impairment, the experience of disability has been a routine one for me, and disability studies constitutes a significant part of my academic engagement as well. I have also been involved with the activities of the disability rights movement. Your editorial “Disabled by Lack of Political Will” (EPW, 11 January 2014) was a timely intervention in the evolving debates on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill that was cleared by the cabinet in December 2013.

A hostel has been opened for disabled students who wish to pursue higher studies, on Kumthekar Road in Sadashiv Peth.

Special care has been taken to ensure the hostel, Chaitanya Vishwa, is accessible through ramps. Besides, attention has been paid while designing the washrooms so they are completely accessible, said Rahul Deshmukh, president of the National Association for the Welfare of Physically Challenged.

he new disabilities bill could help enshrine a more modern understanding of the issue.