“Law as Identity: Rights, Advocacy and Disability Pride.”

On August 10, 2025, Enable Education hosted a webinar titled “Law as Identity: Rights, Advocacy and Disability Pride.” Held virtually on Google Meet, the session featured Ms. Sarah, a litigation associate and mental health advocate committed to accessibility and legal reform.

The session was moderated by Ms. Aarushi Gambhir, Founder of Enable Education and Disability Inclusion Strategist. Ms. Sarah, a law graduate from Gujarat National Law University, has worked extensively at the intersection of law, mental health, and policy, with experience at the Supreme Court of India, the Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, and Square Circle Clinic. She has also served as a Criminal Justice Fellow at Project 39A, National Law University, Delhi, and was among 15 Well-being Ambassadors with the School Initiative for Mental Health Advocacy (SIMHA) at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. She currently works with Mission Accessibility, advocating for equitable access to justice for persons with disabilities.

Ms. Sarah began by discussing the dynamics of invisible disabilities. Drawing from her own experience, she explained how such conditions can affect mobility, senses, and overall activity levels. She highlighted the added impact of intersecting factors like gender and caste, which can intensify these challenges.

Addressing systemic legal barriers, she pointed to the lack of awareness about mental health in society. In court proceedings—especially in lower courts—testimonies from individuals with mental health conditions are often disregarded. Even obtaining a disability certificate can be a major hurdle. She also shared Mission Accessibility’s efforts to improve everyday accessibility, including advocating for disability-friendly mobile applications.

The discussion covered topics such as the role of law schools in promoting inclusion, the impact of legal jargon on persons with disabilities, the need for accessible workplaces, and the current status of disability laws in India. Ms. Sarah emphasized legal advocacy as a tool to reclaim voice and agency.

In her closing remarks, she stressed that systemic, legal, and societal reforms must work in tandem with individual advocacy. She urged people from all walks of life to encourage and uplift those in need, calling this the cornerstone of an inclusive society. Her advice to aspiring lawyers was simple yet powerful: love the law and use it to drive real change.

Ms. Gambhir concluded the event with heartfelt thanks to the speaker, attendees, and partners for their contributions. The webinar deepened understanding of the legal landscape and its role in recognizing and accommodating individuals with non-apparent disabilities.