Mobility Justice, Disability Rights and Hate Crimes in Public Transportation: A Legal and Social Perspectiv

Abstract

This paper examines the intersection of mobility, disability and justice, highlighting the challenges faced by differently-abled individuals in accessing transportation and exercising their right to movement. Although mobility is a fundamental human right, its realization is often hindered by structural inequalities rooted in class, race, gender and disability. The study draws upon legal doctrines, case laws and social research to demonstrate how persons with disabilities experience discrimination, harassment and hate crimes during travel. Issues such as inaccessible infrastructure, hostile social attitudes and insufficient legal safeguards exacerbate exclusion. The paper analyzes international and domestic legal frameworks, including the Protection of Rights under the UNCRPD and critiques their limitations in addressing on-board harassment and hate crimes. Through references to cases like Dordevic v. Croatia and incidents of disability-related abuse, it highlights systemic gaps in policy and enforcement. The study argues for amendments to mobility and disability laws to explicitly include anti-hate-crime provisions and emphasizes the need for awareness, training and inclusive transport design. It concludes by recommending stronger legal protections, proactive policing of transit spaces and cultural change to ensure dignified and safe mobility for all.