Exploring Societal Attitudes Towards Differently-Abled Individuals in Jammu & Kashmir: A Socio-Psychological Study.

Disability is more than just a medical condition. It's a social experience shaped by how society interacts with individuals who have impairments. Public attitudes, influenced by cultural, religious, and educational factors, often create greater barriers than the disabilities themselves. In India, despite progressive policies like the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016), stigma and exclusion persist. Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) presents a unique case, where conflict, infrastructure gaps, and deep-rooted beliefs further marginalize people with disabilities. This study explores how J&K's population perceives disability, examining variations across gender, age, education, and urban-rural divides. Using the Social Model of Disability, it argues that true inclusion requires addressing societal attitudes, not just individual limitations.