(Benchmark Disabilities) - Definition & Explanation

 

2. Categories of Disabilities (Benchmark Disabilities) – Definition & Explanation

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016 categorizes disabilities into 21 benchmark disabilities. These are conditions where the disability is 40% or more, as certified by a medical authority. Below is a detailed breakdown of these disabilities:

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A. Physical Disabilities

These disabilities affect a person’s movement, vision, hearing, or speech.

1. Locomotor Disability – Affects the ability to walk, move, or use hands and limbs effectively.

   • Leprosy Cured Persons – Individuals with deformities caused by leprosy, limiting mobility.

   • Cerebral Palsy – A group of disorders affecting movement, posture, and muscle coordination.

   • Dwarfism – A condition resulting in short stature due to genetic or medical factors.

   • Muscular Dystrophy – A genetic disorder causing muscle weakness and loss over time.

   • Acid Attack Victims – Persons suffering from physical deformities due to acid burns.

2. Visual Impairment – Impairment in vision that affects normal functioning.

   • Blindness – Complete or near-complete loss of sight.

   • Low Vision – Partial vision loss, where the person cannot see clearly even with corrective measures.

3. Hearing Impairment – Difficulty in hearing sounds and speech.

   • Deaf – Total hearing loss in both ears.

   • Hard of Hearing – Partial hearing loss, making it difficult to hear sounds at normal volumes.

4. Speech and Language Disability – Affects communication due to speech impairment, stammering, or voice disorders.

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B. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

These disabilities affect cognitive and intellectual abilities, learning, and social skills.

5. Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) – Disorders that affect the ability to read, write, spell, or do calculations (e.g., dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia).

6. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – A neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior.

7. Intellectual Disability – Below-average intellectual functioning that limits adaptive behavior (e.g., Down syndrome).

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C. Mental and Psychological Disabilities

These disabilities impact mental health, emotions, and behavior.

8. Mental Illness – Conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and severe anxiety disorders that impair daily life.

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D. Blood Disorders

These are genetic disorders affecting blood production and function.

9. Thalassemia – A blood disorder that reduces the production of hemoglobin, leading to anemia.

10. Hemophilia – A genetic disorder causing prolonged bleeding due to blood clotting issues.

11. Sickle Cell Disease – A condition where red blood cells become misshapen, leading to pain and organ damage.

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E. Neurological Disorders

These affect the nervous system and brain function.

12. Multiple Sclerosis – A disease where the immune system attacks the central nervous system, causing nerve damage.

13. Parkinson’s Disease – A progressive disorder affecting movement, causing tremors and stiffness.

14. Chronic Neurological Conditions – Long-term conditions affecting the nervous system, such as epilepsy or brain injuries.

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F. Multiple Disabilities & Others

Some individuals may have more than one disability affecting daily life.

15. Multiple Disabilities – A combination of two or more disabilities (e.g., blindness and cerebral palsy).

16. Deafblindness – A combination of hearing and vision impairment, making communication and mobility difficult.

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Conclusion

The RPWD Act, 2016 expanded the scope of disabilities in India, ensuring better protection and rights for affected individuals. These 21 benchmark disabilities are crucial in providing benefits such as reservations, education, healthcare, and social security.