Deaf Women in India: A Critical Overview of the Legal Framework through Right Based and Intersectionality Theories

Abstract

The disability law framework in India is based on the right- based approach to disability
which entitles all disabled persons with rights and recognition in par with all other
people. However, the global disability laws often did not consider the differences
within the disabled community and viewed them as a homogenous group. The
intersectionality theory however views the problems of marginalised groups in
intersection with the multiple identities they possess. Therefore, the problems of
deaf women should be viewed in the intersection of disability, gender and cultural
identities. This paper is a study to examine the issues of rights of deaf women in IndiaThe disability law framework in India is based on the right- based approach to disability
which entitles all disabled persons with rights and recognition in par with all other
people. However, the global disability laws often did not consider the differences
within the disabled community and viewed them as a homogenous group. The
intersectionality theory however views the problems of marginalised groups in
intersection with the multiple identities they possess. Therefore, the problems of
deaf women should be viewed in the intersection of disability, gender and cultural
identities. This paper is a study to examine the issues of rights of deaf women in India right-based approach.