The Myth of Meritocracy: What Disability Reveals

In an article published by Feminism in India on 13 October, Aarushi Gambhir, founder of Inclusion Axis Foundation, and Sheikh Ayesha Islam, its research lead, argue that merit cannot be judged fairly when persons with disabilities do not start from the same point. Their research shows that women with disabilities face exclusion early, through schools reluctant to admit them, unsafe transport, stigma and caregiving expectations. Citing the All India Survey on Higher Education, they report that enrolment of students with disabilities fell from 92,831 in 2019-20 to 79,035 in 2020-21. Their analysis also suggests that, on average, only about 12 per cent of enrolled students with disabilities completed their courses in the states examined. The authors call for accessible institutions, reasonable accommodation and stronger pathways to employment. NEWS LINK : CLICK HERE