India’s Mumbai: Living with a disability in the megacity

Nidhi Goyal, 36, is blind and uses a white cane to walk down the stairs in Mumbai, India. She is a disability and gender rights activist, and a comedian [Kanishka Sonthalia/Al Jazeera]

By 2050, 68 percent of the world’s population will live in urban areas, up from today’s 55 percent. One third of this increase is projected to happen in just three countries — China, Nigeria and India. Yet, as urban populations grow, a big part of society continues to be marginalised and excluded — people with disabilities.

Unlike any other marginalised group, anyone can become a member of the disability community at any point in their life. People can develop a physical disability because of an accident, illness, or simply, old age.