Accessibility is an inclusive fundamental human right that enables the equity of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life to be translated into urban spaces. The research fundamentally assesses various challenges affecting accessibility in the city of Lucknow, particularly in areas concerning public infrastructure, government policies, socio-economic conditions, and technological advancement. Despite progressive policies and schemes such as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the Accessible India Campaign, Sports Complexes, public buildings, and transportation systems of the city continue to have numerous barriers. The problems are further exacerbated because Lucknow, given the compactness of the urban areas, including heritage buildings that make retrofitting difficult, is at a complete geographical disadvantage. This study follows a secondary research approach to analyze policy documents, statistical data, and accessibility audits to determine systemic gaps and the efficacy of government interventions. The findings reveal poor policy implementation and stakeholder consultation on one hand and socio-economic marginalization of persons with disability on the other. This includes recommendations on strengthening the implementation of policies, integrating universal design principles, assistive technologies, and multistakeholder collaborations. Socio-cultural awareness related to misogynistic cultural values needs to be addressed through inclusive ableism. The paper, therefore, underlines that nested and holistic approaches toward accessibility at the local scale are direly needed for the city of Lucknow. Addressing these challenges shall enable the city to be a role model for inclusive urban development and ensure equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Shrivastwa et al. (Sun,) studied this question.