The Supreme Court of India has asked both the Union and state governments to respond within four weeks on whether currency notes and medicine wrappers can be made accessible for the visually impaired through the integration of Braille. This request comes in the wake of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by 12-year-old Medhansh Soni, a highly accomplished student who is 100% visually impaired.
Medhansh Soni, who has won eight gold medals in various international Olympiads, filed the petition through his mother, Ramta Soni. The Supreme Court’s bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and including Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, is considering whether adding Braille to currency notes and medicine strips could help visually impaired individuals independently verify the value of money and check medicine expiry dates.
Medhansh’s petition highlights the significant challenges faced by visually impaired people due to the lack of accessible information. He argues that a comprehensive Braille system is necessary to prevent indirect discrimination and to improve the accessibility of public information. Medhansh points out that the absence of such a system often leaves visually impaired individuals at a disadvantage, making it hard for them to access essential resources and opportunities.
According to the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey, there are about 6.2 million blind people in India. The survey also reveals that blindness is more prevalent in rural areas compared to urban regions. Medhansh believes that the real issue is not the blindness itself but society’s failure to address the needs of those who are blind.
In his petition, Medhansh argues that despite India being the world’s largest democracy for over 70 years, it still falls behind in providing adequate facilities for visually impaired people. He stresses that, while Braille and other supportive technologies have offered some relief, more needs to be done to ensure these individuals can live with dignity and equal opportunity.
The petition also outlines several difficulties faced by visually impaired individuals, including challenges in identifying currency notes, reading product labels, managing medicines, and navigating public spaces. Medhansh notes that recent changes, such as the reduction in currency note sizes due to demonetization, have further complicated the situation for those who are blind.
The Supreme Court’s decision on this matter could significantly impact the lives of millions of visually impaired people in India, making everyday tasks easier and more accessible.
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