Old age and disability are perceived as challenges to a healthy human existence, rendering individuals in these categories vulnerable. Despite constitutional guarantees in India that ensure full civil, political, economic, cultural, and social rights for persons with disabilities and the elderly, both groups often experience lives marked by deprivation. The existing lack of necessary arrangements hinders the realization of these constitutional guarantees.

• The aging process introduces various health issues and general disabilities such as low vision, blindness, deafness, arthritis, and loss of mobility. These conditions make it challenging for elderly individuals to care for themselves, necessitating assistance. In the current discourse on creating a ‘society for all,’ there is an emphasis on building a society that treats all its members with respect and dignity. A democratic society should embrace and accommodate differences rather than excluding certain groups. Every individual, including the elderly and disabled, should have equal access to the resources and entitlements available in society.