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Disability News India (DNI)

Disability News India (DNI), is a disability News service dedicated to providing a quality up-to-date information to the Indian Disability. DNI's news section is updated two times a week, though we also add breaking stories as and when they occur.




Disability News India – July 2009 Issue



Disabled characters, popular cinema attract audience

Mumbai, 30 July: From the early 70s till today, films around disabled characters always seem to evoke interest and most of the times critical acclaim.

Be it Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri playing deaf person role in 1972's Koshish or Nana Patekar and Seema Biswas repeating the act in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Khamoshi.

Hrithik Roshan in Koi Mil Gaya, the actor's first big hit after six solo flops, where he played a developmentally disabled character. And more recently Rani Mukherji walked away with all the awards from her portrayal of a deaf blind girl in Black.

Currently there is already a lot of buzz around Kaminey – in which Shahid Kapoor essays a double role and both his characters, a speech disability. One stutters while the other lisps.

"I don't remember any film Hindi or English where the two protagonists play the roles or brothers with speech disability," said Shahid Kapoor.

Sanjay Bhansali also returns to explore the world of disabled people in his next titled Guzarish with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai where Hrithik will be confined to the wheelchair for a good part of the film.

And of course there is Shah Rukh Khan in Karan Johar's My Name is Khan, where he portrays a character of Asperger syndrome.

Source: http://ibnlive.in.com

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HC favours specially–trained teachers for disabled children

New Delhi, Jul 29 At least two teachers from the Delhi government and MCD–run schools are required to undergo special training to teach disabled children, Delhi High Court has said.

Asking the city government counsel to appoint more teachers for disabled students, a Divison Bench of Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice Manmohan said"select two to three teachers and send them for training."

The court was hearing the PIL, filed by Social Jurist, a NGO, through counsel Ashok Agrawal, seeking directions to the Delhi government for recruiting more teachers for"disabled children"in the schools run by MCD and the state.

Agrawal alleged disabled students were forced to quit the schools due to non–availability of specially–trained teachers for disabled people.

Source: http://www.indopia.in

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BKS to conduct survey of public buildings

PUNE, 29 July: In order to further the cause of barrier–free architecture for physically disabled people, city–based Bal Kalyan Sanstha (BKS) will conduct a survey of well–known structures in the city to find whether they are accessible to disabled people.

"Sometime in the second week of August we are going to survey the premises and architecture of public buildings like the Balgandharva Rangmandir, Tilak Smarak Mandir and the Pune railway station, among other edifices and request the Pune Municipal Corporation to make them barrier–free, if we find any barriers for disabled people in these structures," Minetta Patil, manager, Bal Kalyan Sanstha, said.

Meanwhile in a bid to spread awareness about barrier–free architecture and to include the physically–disabled in the mainstream. A two–day seminar, titled No disabilities, infinite possibilities,' has also been organised by city–based non–governmental organisation EKansh, in association with the Bal Kalyan Sanstha, the Indian Institute of Architects, Pune, and the Disability Research and Design Foundation (DRDF), Mumbai, on August 7 and 8.

To be held at the Bal Kalyan Sanstha on Ganeshkhind road, the seminar will focus on progressive strategies for the development of the physically–disabled people, visually–impaired, and the speech– and hearing– impaired. It will have representatives from various bodies and organisations talking on different aspects related to disability.

For instance, architects from Pune and Mumbai will be speaking on barrier–free architectural features in buildings to facilitate easy movement of the physically–disabled people. Laws on the same will also be explained by lawyers.

"Let us first accept that we are not sensitive towards the physically– disabled people, and then work towards making ourselves aware and helping them. The seminar is aimed at this effort," Anita Iyer, founder–member, EKansh, said.

The organisers are also conducting a competition on barrier–free architecture, for which it has received entries from 12 architecture colleges. The winner, who will walk away with a cash prize of Rs 25,000, will be announced on the first day of the seminar by chief guest mayor Rajlaxmi Bhosale.

Psychologist Divyanshu Ganatra, himself visually–impaired, will be talking on GPRS for the visually–impaired, while expressive art therapist Jyoti Mate, who uses all forms of art for the mentally– disabled children in a private school in Pune, will be speaking on artistic and creative abilities of physically–disabled people. "There needs to be a mind and body coordination while teaching dance movements to special children. Thinking out–of–the–box is needed to help the special children grow better," said Mate.

Sandhya Limaye, faculty, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and her students will conduct an interactive session to sensitise the audience towards disabled people. "There will also be talks on career opportunities in special education that caters to the physically– disabled people, visually–impaired and the deaf and the dumb," said Iyer.

Representatives from the Helen Keller Institute, Mumbai, and Khadki– based Queen Mary's Technical Institute will also present talks on August 8. Nisha Grover from the Vadodra–based Akshar Foundation will elaborate on the oral education for the deaf with the help of hearing aids. A Braille demonstration by Meera Badve, director, the Nivant Andhamukta Vikasalaya, Yerawada, is also in the offing.

Atiya Hajee, member of the EKansh team, will interpret the entire seminar in sign language.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Film festival on 'disability issue' organised at AAFT

Noida, 29 July: Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) along with the social organization Brotherhood organised "Look Back We Care Film Festival" an event of films on Disability at Marwah Studios in Film City. The collection of films on different issues of disabilities were projected to the large crowd, film and television students of AAFT,ASMS and ABS with an idea to evoke emotions towards people who are sometimes ignored by the community and society for no rhyme or reasons.

"We have joined hands with Brotherhood only to promote the idea of creating awareness towards disability" said Sandeep Marwah, President Marwah Studios. "We at brotherhood have pledged to promote our disable brothers and sisters to come forward in life and become independent" said Satish Kapoor, the Director of the Festival .The festival is supported by the information Centre of United Nation, National Trust, Shivkala Motion Pictures and International Film and Television Club.

"We have to look back into Hindi feature films like Black, Dosti, Tare Zameen pain, Koshish where a huge information is highlighted on disability" said Sameer Sen Chief Guest of the day and renowned music director who has given music to 150 feature films like Jalwa ,Arjun Pandit, Anari No 1, Achanak, Salakhen, Kartavaya etc.

B.B.Choudhary IPS, Sanjeev Sachdeva, Rajeev Chandran of United Nation Information Centre, R.K.Singh former Engineer in Chief, Doordarshan, Raghaveddhiraa of Mangolore Port Trust ,Sharad Dutt of Channel P7 were the other speakers. The pogramme was followed by screening of 15 selected short films on Disability. Later Marwah honored the guests with membership of IFTC.

Source: http://www.mynews.in

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Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced tax relief for disabled people

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday announced some relief for disabled people by way of raising the eligible deductions for assessees with severe disability from Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 1 lakh for purposes of income tax calculation. He also extended the benefit of deduction in respect of interest paid on loans for higher education to the legal guardians of students under Section 80E of the IT Act.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee
Replying to the debate on the Finance Bill in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Mukherjee, in his bid to provide added stimulus to the infrastructure sector, extended the sunset clause for tax holidays for industrial parks by another two years up to March 2011. Likewise, to benefit the food processing sector, he extended the tax holiday on profits in respect of business processing, preservation and packaging of meat and its products, poultry, marine and dairy products.

Alongside, to bring various fuel feedstock at par, the seven–year holiday for payment of income tax on natural gas produced from oil and gas blocks awarded in the coming licensing round, as announced the budget for this fiscal, was also extended to coal bed methane blocks. The benefit, Mr. Mukherjee said, would be available prospectively from the assessment year 2010–11 and subsequent assessment years.

As for the Direct Taxes Code, which is slated to be released by August 20 for discussion, Mr. Mukherjee pointed out that the suggestions made by members with regard to simplification would be reflected in the code and placed in Parliament during the winter session.

Appealing to members to pass the Bill, Mr. Mukherjee asserted that the economic recovery had begun and expressed confidence that the economy would be able to reach the high growth rate of 8–9 per cent by end of 2010. Creation of infrastructure, tax reforms and inclusive growth would be the theme of the policies and actions of the government. "Reforms will be on our agenda, but reforms is a continuous process. It is not a mantra which is to be chanted occasionally," he said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com

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Finally a ramp for people with disabilities on high court premises

CHANDIGARH, 28 July: Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday agreed to construct a ramp in the court premises to ensure that disabled litigants also get to hear the proceedings of their cases.

Presently the second wing of the high court building, where majority of judges have their courts, is not accessible to disabled persons as there is no provision of lifts or a ramp. The decision to construct and complete the ramp by October 2009 was conveyed on Monday by the counsel for the registrar of the HC before justice Sabina where a contempt petition filed by Karanvir Singh Gandotra and another was being heard.

The petitioner had sought directions for initiating the proceedings under the Contempt of Court Act as the high court authorities as also the Chandigarh administration had failed to comply with the orders of April 27, 2005, issued by then chief justice DK Jain. While reminded subsequently, the high court had conveyed that steps were being taken to do the needful, yet nothing came off in the past four years, hence the contempt petition. The petitioner had listed RC Gupta, the registrar general of the high court and UT home secretary Ram Niwas as the respondents.

The petitioners had pointed out that disabled persons found it extremely difficult to make it to the new block of the high court because it was neither provided with a lift nor was there a ramp. In 2005, Rajiv Atma Ram, the then senior standing counsel for Chandigarh administration, had submitted that the administration was ready to install a lift and also build a ramp as soon as a proposal in this regard was received from the authorities. Following assurance from the registrar general, the petition was rendered infructuous.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Disability association to gherao CM house if demands not met

KANPUR, 27 July: Annoyed by the apathetical attitude of the government, members of the Indian Handicapped Association claimed on Sunday that they would organise a gherao at the state chief minister's (CM) residence on August 11 if their demands were not taken seriously.

Virendra Kumar, national President of the Indian Handicapped Association, claimed: "The government had assured us of agreeing to demands like reservation quota for BEd physically disabled candidates in BTC, putting an end on backlog reservation quota, getting the budget available for handicap pension, providing loan for the employment and lodging a report against disability exploitation. But, so far our demands have not been taken into consideration."

Addressing the conference, the national president of the association informed: "We will organize a gherao at the chief minister's residence if the government did not pay a heed to our demands for which we have been organizing protests outside Vidhan Sabha for more than six months now."

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Bill Gates wins Indira Gandhi Prize for efforts to prevent AIDS and eradicate polio

NEW DELHI, 26 July: Microsoft co–founder Bill Gates on Saturday received the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development from India's president, a government statement said.

Standing right to left are Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, Indian President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Vice President Hamid Ansari, after Gates received the 2007 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development.


In the picture, Standing right to left are Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, Indian President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Vice President Hamid Ansari, after Gates received the 2007 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development.

The prize recognizes his work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It is awarded annually to individuals or organizations for creative efforts that promote peace, development and a new international economic order.

As of this month, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation had committed nearly $1 billion for health and development projects in India. Most of the money has gone to prevent AIDS and eradicate polio.

One AIDS prevention initiative has targeted 280,000 people from high–risk categories, the statement said.

"It is a shining example of partnership between government and civil society in a critically important sector. I commend their work," said India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who attended the ceremony.

In his speech, Gates said India faced some of the world's toughest health problems, but "you have a keen appreciation for the urgency of the situation."

He cited the country's efforts to eradicate polio as an example. Every year, India mobilizes more than 2 million health workers for an immunization day, visiting more than 200 million homes.

"To make sure they don't miss anybody, they also go to train stations, bus stations and ferry terminals to immunize children who are on the move," he said.

His foundation got a cash reward of 2.5 million rupees ($52,000) from the Indian government, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

The prize is in memory of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1984.

Previous winners have included Afghan President Hamid Karzai, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and the international aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres.

Source: The AP

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Disabled people protest being bypassed in government budget

NEW DELHI, July 25: 14–year–old Mohammad Ibran with muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder which weakens the muscles, fought hard for getting admission in a neighbourhood school in Seelampur slum area.

Reason: His disability certificate was not made even though his hands and legs are completely disabled.

"It was only after intervention by an NGO I was allowed. I am in class VII but in my condition, I need better facilities. My wheelchair is broken. I want that my rights as a disabled person to be recognized by the government,'' exhorted Mohammad, who loves maths and drawing.

He was among 80 disabled people who had gathered outside finance minister Pranab Mukherjee's residence on July 24 for a symbolic protest against the government for ignoring disability issues in the recently announced Union Budget. But the protest was soon called off as the finance minister promised to hold a meeting with the activists.

"Our intention was to get the government attention, which we managed. The finance minister has invited six disabled delegates to meet with him,'' said Javed Abidi honorary director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), Convenor, Disabled Rights Group (DRG).

"There was a promise to develop a national centre for development of universal design and barrier–free environment, a sign language research and training centre, a national captioning centre and a school of up to Class 12 for the deaf in every state and a degree college in every zone. None of these were mentioned or announced by the finance minister in his speech,'' said Abidi.

"We had high hopes from the Budget but Pranab Mukherjee's proposal to increase the deduction limit from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1 lakh in respect of maintenance, including medical treatment of a dependent who is a person with severe disability was disappointing. The proposal is hardly indicative of government's inclusive approach,'' he added.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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High Court bats for disabled–friendly railway stations

MUMBAI, 25 July: The Bombay high court on Friday directed the authorities of Central and Western Railway to sit down with officials of the Maharashtra government, the BMC and Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation to work out a solution for making railway stations and trains accessible to disabled persons.

A division bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice Ajay Khanwilkar sought details of the discussion by July 30.

The court questioned the railway's commitment to disabled passengers' safety and comfort as required under the Persons With Disabilities Act. "If you cannot provide facilities, shut down railways,'' said the judges during the hearing, adding that a "change of mind set'' was necessary.

Advocate Suresh Kumar, counsel for the railways, said that at present it was not technically feasible to make trains or stations "wheel chair friendly''. Pointing out that wheel chairs have been provided at all stations, the advocate said that Class A stations in the city–CST, Dadar, Kurla, Thane, Kalyan, Mumbai Central and Bandra–have ramps for the disabled. Around 3,000 disabled passengers use the suburban railway daily.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Karnataka authorities: Investigating reports that disabled children were buried during solar eclipse

NEW DELHI: Authorities are investigating reports that disabled children in India were buried up to their necks during this week's solar eclipse as a supposed remedy for their disability.

Officials said July 23 they were looking into reports that some 34 children aged 2 to 7 were buried in sand up to their chins –– with the consent of the parents –– in the belief that doing so during an eclipse would cure the children of their disabilities.

V. Anbu Kumar, caretaker deputy commissioner of Gulbarga district in the state of Karnataka, told CNN that everybody at the site had left when he and police officers arrived.

The act was apparently carried out in the early morning hours Wednesday, when the longest solar eclipse of the century turned day into night in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Vietnam, China and parts of the Pacific.

Kumar denied that the ritual takes place during every eclipse, but said authorities are "launching an awareness campaign" against the practice.

A complaint has been registered for "knowingly endangering human lives," Gulbarg police chief B.A. Padmanayna told CNN. Stronger charges could also be pressed against the offenders, he said. Watch the 'exceptional' eclipse ?a

So far, police have made no arrests in the case.

Wednesday's eclipse reignited some superstitions in India. Most pregnant women hope to avoid giving birth during an eclipse, and Indian astrologers even advise expectant mothers to stay indoors when the event occurs.

"It may not cause any physical harm to the baby, but it may affect the child's overall personality," said R.K. Sharma, who describes himself as a "remedial astrologer."

A solar eclipse, he says, weakens the sun god temporarily because of an encounter with dragon Rahu and leaves some cascading results everywhere.

"Bathing in holy rivers and ponds during this time thus helps protect health and develop positivism and greater will power," he explained.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com

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Supreme Court allows a pregnant intellectually disabled woman can keep her pregnancy

NEW DELHI, July 24: In a landmark pro–life decision, the Supreme Court on July 21 allowed a 20–year–old intellectually disabled orphan girl to keep her pregnancy resulting from a sexual assault and set aside the Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling ordering medical termination.

The HC had ordered medical termination of the girl's 19–week–old pregnancy after coming to the conclusion that since she was unable to take care of herself, she should be relieved of the pregnancy given the state of her condition ? both mental and physical.

The HC was guided by opinion of two panels of doctors, including psychiatrists and gynaecologists, which assessed the rape victim to be of the mental age of 7–9 years. They had expressed concern over her ability to undertake pre–natal and post–natal precautions and care, though they were unanimous that she was physically fit to carry the pregnancy and deliver the child.

The SC allowed her to keep the pregnancy as it was in an advanced stage and the National Trust for Mentally Retarded pledged to take care of the mother and child for the rest of their lives.

Initially, a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices P Sathasivam and B S Chauhan, which in the past has dismissed PILs seeking abolition of death sentence, appeared to be torn between the mentally retarded girl's right to motherhood and its apprehension about the child's future.

The unfortunate girl's case was presented in a legal docket scribbled with emotional arguments by counsel Tanu Bedi, who sought the SC's intervention to allow the orphan girl to have her first blood relation through the child she was carrying.

"If her mental age is a consideration for the judiciary to think that she cannot take care of her baby, why should poor women, who are found lacking in bringing up their children, be allowed to become mothers," Bedi asked.

Appearing for Chandigarh administration, counsel Anupam Gupta referred to the support flowing in from NGOs for the rape victim and said it would be wrong to get swayed by the response of NGOs as there was no guarantee that they would continue doing so for the entire lifetime of the girl and the child after it was born.

When the court asked why the state could not take care of the mother and child, Gupta said, "Let's not get swept off our feet by euphoria shown by NGOs to support the mentally challenged girl and let's not be blind to the ground reality. Even normal parents take it as a setback if their child turns out to be mentally challenged. If the mentally challenged girl's child turns out to be mentally retarded, then will the NGOs be there to lend support constantly and continuously?"

The Bench conceded that the girl was not in a position to take care of herself and her child. "The foetus is fine and does not appear to suffer from any deformity. We cannot say for sure whether the child will be mentally retarded. The pregnancy is in an advanced stage. Moreover, if someone agrees to take care of the mother through the pregnancy and the child when it is born, then why should she be deprived of motherhood," it said.

The Bench, which ordered stay of the HC order, said it would soon come out with a detailed judgment on the case.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Disabled man who can play 23 musical instruments seeks opportunities in TV, Movies

KOLKATA, July 24 – An Indian man who learnt to play 23 Indian and foreign musical instruments with equal ease despite being struck by polio is seeking opportunities to make it big in television and movies.

Ashoke Kumar Seal, 56, has scored music for several foreign short films and is a regular on All India Radio. He has also directed music in several non–commercial radio dramas.

He regularly features with popular Bengali singers like Subir Sen, Arati Mukherjee, Indrani Sen, Banoshree Sengupta and Amar Pal.

Now, Seal wants greater recognition from the entertainment industry.

"I don't want any financial help from anyone," says the bachelor who lives with his elderly mother and a younger sister and brother in a lower middle class house in Kolkata's Salt Lake area.

"The only thing I want is a chance to prove myself by creating good music. I am not asking anyone to give me a chance without listening to my compositions.

"There are ample projects like films, both national and regional, television serials and many creative ventures which require good music. Given a chance I can prove myself," he says confidently.

Polio struck Seal when he was only two years old. But despite his physical and economic constraints, he took to music at a tender age, learning guitar, mandolin, synthesiser and violin.

As years rolled by, his canvas widened and he created new compositions for those who appreciated his talent.

Over the years, he went on to learn a total of 23 musical instruments including jal tarang, santoor, percussion, harmonium, octapad, dhol, tabla, sitar, electric guitar and piano.

Some of these he bought, some were gifted to him. "I learnt all these instruments on my own. So far, I've used 23 types of musical instruments in my composition," Seal told IANS.

He composed music for a Czech short film, "Love in Forest". Seal won appreciation from US–based film maker David Ullendroff who said: "Ashoke's music has a very special appeal. I wish all film producers and directors to listen (to it). The use of various instruments is unique and the blend of East and West magical."

None of that has given Seal the break he is seeking. Today, he often broods where he will get the money for the medical treatment of his mother who suffered a cerebral attack recently.

A long time back, when he was studying physics in college, he suddenly composed mellifluous tunes from Sonometer, an equipment meant to study the transverse vibrations of strings.

His teacher, Madan Gopal Basak, was impressed and showered him with praise. "Keep it up my boy?c Your music made me spellbound for a moment."

His teacher's words helped him realise that he had talent that could earn money.

What led him to music?
"When I was a kid I saw my friends play on the field. I could not take part in the games as I was physically challenged. That crippling sensation inspired me to take up music as an outlet," Seal says.

Source: http://www.thaindian.com

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Railways hasn't done enough to ensure disabled–friendly stations: HC

Mumbai, Jul 24: Observing that the Railways has not done enough to ensure disabled– friendly stations, the Bombay High Court (HC) on Thursday summoned the divisional managers of both Western and Central railways.

The division bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice A M Khanwilkar ordered the divisional managers to be present in the court at 11 am on Friday.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by India Centre for Human Rights and Law which had filed the petition in February 2007 seeking to make platforms disable friendly.

"Why are your officers insensitive to people," the bench asked.

The judges were surprised to hear that the railways was constructing just one toilet for disabled people at the busy Mumbai Central station which has nine platforms as well as Bandra station.

"When you enact the law you don't think. When it's interpreted by court it hurts you," the court said.

The court also said that the petition has been pending for two years and so far they have been in the process of constructing one toilet only.

The court also observed that the affidavit filed by the general manager shows no progress for facilities for disabled commuters.

"Do you really feel the court is being unreasonable?" Chief Justice Kumar asked.

Petitioners' lawyer Mallika Iyer told the court that about 3,000 disabled commuters use the railways daily.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com

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Airlines flouting safety norms will have to shell out up to Rs 10 lakh fine

NEW DELHI, 24 July: In a major step that would force airlines to both maintain their aircraft well and follow all existing passenger–friendly moves, the aviation ministry has come out with stiff penalties with jail terms for airline officials for not doing so. A notification issued last week stipulates that not following basic air safety norms would invite highest category of jail up to two years with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh if any airline flies an aircraft without the mandatory certificate of airworthiness.

Operating a flight without the minimum crew or with a pilot not rated for that plane would also fall in the highest category of violation and punishment. What more, airlines not reporting an incident or accident would invite action under this head only.

The notification says second category of offences like an airline brining a passenger to India without a valid passport or carrying passengers in unauthorised parts of an aircraft will invite a jail term for officials of up to a year with a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh.

Apart from safety, the new rules piloted by the DGCA lays equal stress on passengers. All civil aviation requirements issued for them like for benefit of disabled passengers or for taking care of passengers of a long delayed flights have been put in the third strictest category that has a jail term of up to six months and a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh.

Till now most passenger–friendly CARs were almost as airlines faced no punishment for not following them. Now the fear of jail and penalty will force airlines to become more responsive. Once DGCA gets all promised and required staff, the vigilance activities will be spruced up, said a senior official.

Among recent CARs are allowing guide dogs on board with visually impaired passengers and making it mandatory for all airlines to carry small aisle chairs for physically disabled passengers to be taken from their seats to the toilets during a flight

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Govt plans measures to help disabled people

New Delhi, July 23: The government proposes to amend law, in line with a UN convention, to protect the rights and improve conditions of disabled persons in India, whose number exceeds two crore in the country.

"A comprehensive bill to amend the Disability Act, 1995, would be brought before Parliament this year," Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik said replying to a debate in the Rajya Sabha on functioning of his ministry.

He said the amendment bill would seek to bring Indian laws in conformity with the obligations as provided in the UN convention on Human Rights on Persons with Disability.

The Disability Act deals with issue like education, employment and job reservation for persons with physical disabilities.

As per the government figures, disabled people account for about two per cent of the country's population.

Source: http://www.ptinews.com

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Efficiency can be a ground to deny promotion to disabled people: SC

NEW DELHI, 23 July: In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that the government or an employer can deny promotion to a disabled person if they are of the opinion that it can compromise efficiency, security or safety.

A Bench comprising Justices R V Raveendran and P Sathasivam gave this ruling despite being fully aware of the Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, which mandated that "no promotion shall be denied to a person merely on the ground of his disability".

Allowing an appeal of the Union government, the Bench said the 1995 Act would have no significance where the employer stipulated minimum standards for promotion keeping in view safety, security and efficiency.

"If the employee is unable to meet the higher minimum standards on account of any disability or failure to possess the minimum standards, then the Act would not be attracted, nor can it be pressed into service for seeking promotion," said Justice Raveendran writing the judgment for the Bench.

Clarifying that it was not against the legislative intention behind the 1995 Act, the SC said: "Where the disability is likely to affect the maintenance of safety and security norms, or efficiency, then the stipulation of standards for maintaining such safety, security and efficiency will not be considered as denying a person with disability, promotion merely on the ground of his disability."

The Bench said it was aware of the intention of the Act, that was to give a helping hand to persons with disability so that they could lead a self–reliant life with dignity and freedom.

"But, the intention of the Act is not to jeopardize the safety and security of public, co–employees, or the employee himself or the safety and security of the equipments or assets of the employer nor to accept reduced standards of safety and efficiency merely because the employee suffers from a disability," the Bench said.

The apex court, through this judgment, upheld the prescription of a minimum medical standard for promotion from Senior Research Assistant to Chief Research Assistant in the Research Designs and Standards Organisation of the railway ministry and upheld the Union government's decision not to grant promotion to a disabled person who did not meet the minimum standards.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Ludhiana's visually impaired girl to compete in athletics in Pan–American Games

LUDHIANA – Fourteen–year–old Harmanpreet Kaur of Jharodi Village near Ludhiana is today an inspiration for people with disabilities.

Harmanpreet, despite being a visually impaired since birth, dreamt of making a mark in the international sports arena. She has already been five times national champion in athletics.

Today, Harmanpreet is among eight other Indian sportspersons who are going to participate in 2009 International Blind Sports Federation World Youth and Student Championships and the 2009 IBSA Pan–American Games in Colorado (U.S).

"She is going to participate in athletics in Colorado in USA. She is the only girl from Punjab participating in athletics in the U.S. I have been training her since she was 11–years–old. I have lot of expectations from her. She will definitely win the medal in the games. She is very confident," said Dalwinder Singh, Athletic coach before her departure for Colorado.

She will participate in 100m, 200m and shot put events in Colorado.

A major credit for her success so far is shared by her coach Dalwinder Singh and visually impaired father Gurpreet Singh. Both have been trying hard to help her achieve goals despite problems like lack of infrastructure and sponsorship.

Harmanpreet is a student of Harjas School in Jhoradi village of Punjab, has made her family and friends proud.

"I feel very proud of my daughter. I have two daughters. My elder daughter has a vision problem but besides that she manages very well. Earlier she represented Punjab in national games and now she is going to represent India. I want to give a message to other people that they should not kill their daughters. A normal child can do anything. My daughter in spite of her vision problem is going to make the country proud," said Gurpreet Singh, Harmanpreet's father.

"I participated in athletics in 2006 in Guru Nanak Stadium, where I won gold medals in 100 and 200–meter race. Then I took part in National Games in Delhi, where I got 2nd position in 100 meter, first in 200 meters and 3rd position in the shot put. After that I went to Bangalore. Now, I am very happy that I am going to America. I will give my best and win medals for India," said Harmanpreet before leaving for Colorado.

With 17 medals already in her kitty, Harmanpreet is a source of inspiration to millions of visually impaired people the world over.

In Punjab, where female mortality rate is among the highest in the country, Harmanpreet Kaur has sent a message that being a girl child is no way less important than having a boy in one's family. By Karan Kapoor (ANI)

Source: http://blog.taragana.com

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97 new polio cases in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW, 22 July: A spurt in polio cases across four districts of Uttar Pradesh has sent alarm bells ringing. Panic stricken officials at the state health department ordered holding of mop up rounds (to cover the areas more extensively) on July 26.

Data gathered from the national polio surveillance project website indicated that 53 cases of polio were reported from across the country in July last year. This year, however, the number for UP alone is a few heads short of 100 with another 10 days for the month to go. As many as 54 of the total 97 being reported from a cluster of four districts, there is enough reason for the officials to worry.

The affected districts are Jyotiba Phule Nagar, Rampur, Bareilly and Moradabad having 16, 15, 7 and 16 cases, respectively. What's more alarming is that all of these cases have come to light after July 11 –– when the last NPSP report on country's polio data was released. The said report says that the last polio case reported in Uttar Pradesh came to light on June 27, 2009. As of now, the polio count of UP stands at 183 that includes 11 type one case and 173 type three cases.

Officials at NPSP, however, say that there isn't anything much to worry about as it's July, which is the peak time of the polio virus infection. Another sign of respite comes from the fact that none of the new cases reported in July are of the virulent P1 type.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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President Pratibha Patil moved by story of visually impaired girl

Mumbai, 22 July: The story of a girl who lost her eyesight at the age of six but never let go of hope through the years that saw her getting enrolled at the prestigious St. Xavier's College in Mumbai so moved President Pratibha Patil that she decided she must meet this brave young woman.

Hailing her as a brave girl who fought her problems like a warrior, she lost her eyesight due to medical negligence, the President on Tuesday received the first copy of book What am I? that is based on the life of Siddhi Desai. The book is written by Vrinda Bhargava, a college teacher in Nashik.

"Earlier as the Social Welfare minister I had the opportunity to meet so many people in difficult situations, including many visually impaired persons, and that really made me wonder how these people managed. I even decided to blindfold myself for a day to feel what it must be for them and I could not manage beyond an hour. Imagine, how people without eyesight manage, what courage and hope reside in them. This girl and her mother's incomparable and unflinching support is inspirational and I hope all girls and boys grow up with her kind of ambition, courage and hope. This girl may not have eyesight but she has vision and self–knowledge that many with eyesight lack. I am moved by her story," President Patil said on the occasion. Siddhi Desai, who was also present on the occasion, doesn't feel impaired by the loss of eyesight.

"I am in my third year of college studying Economics and Statistics at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, and I have big plans for the future. I am weighing my options and will either appear for the Civil Services examination or join the Indian Economic Service. I may also go for higher studies and research at the London School of Economics or at Cambridge. I want to go abroad and I know it will be difficult but I want to go out and represent India," Siddhi said.

A resident of Thane in Maharashtra, Siddhi's mother Sushmita had an inter–caste marriage and lost her husband when both her daughters were just kids. With her mother's support, Siddhi went on to score high marks in every examination. It was one of her teachers who informed the author about Siddhi.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com

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Autism may be added to Disabilities Act

July 19: Ishaan Awasti of Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par made dyslexia a household word. But this learning disability does not figure in the definition or list of disabilities in the Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 or the PWD Act.

It is still not certain whether dyslexia will be included, but autism and multiple disability, ignored so far, may soon find a place in the PWD Act when amended.

To give a boost to the UPA's promise to promote inclusive growth and development, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has called a meeting of the central coordination committee on July 21 to go into the PWD Act adopted 14 years back and recommend changes so that it's in line with the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006. India had ratified the convention in 2007.

A draft document of the proposed changes now under circulation will be discussed by the multi–member committee, which advises the Centre on policies, programmes, legislations and projects relating to disability. It is headed by the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik and includes representatives from various ministries, state governments and stakeholders.

"Quite a comprehensive amendment will be required in the Act," said Wasnik. It includes issues like providing access to public places and employment to persons with disabilities and ensuring their implementation.

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com

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USA will work with India to eradicate polio

MUMBAI, July 19: America will work to meet health challenges facing India among other countries and will have a comprehensive dialogue to improve maternal and child healthcare services, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said here June 18.

"US has announced a large commitment to global healthcare policy. Our government is already spending a lot of money on HIV/AIDS but we wanted to add maternal and child health to that commitment as it is important for India," Clinton said.

"Commitment was also in eradication of infectious diseases like Tuberculosis (TB) and Polio which are also problems in India," she said after visiting a Self Employed Womens Association (SEWA)'s trade outlet here.

"We are trying to work with our counterparts in India on these and will have a comprehensive dialogue in solving some of these healthcare challenges," she said.

Source: http://ptinews.com

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Learning becomes easy for visually impaired

PUNE, 19 July: Education for visually impaired students is now easier thanks to audio files being easily accessible on a new portable, handy, pocket–sized device called the audio book reader (ABR). Designed by Saksham, a Nagpur–based non–governmental organisation (NGO) which works for visually impaired, the ABR was demonstrated on Saturday at Saksham's branch in Pune.

Equipped with a two–GB memory card, the device reads audio files stored in a multimedia card (MMC) with random access to any subject, book or chapter. It operates on only five buttons that can access the chapters and various audio files, and record up to 60 hours of audio.

Saksham came up with the device after a research of over two–and– half years. This also involved the team travelling all over the country and meeting various organisations working for the betterment of the visually impaired.

"We came up with this device keeping in mind the limitation of Braille and the size of Braille books which the visually impaired students have to get used to. As of now, blind students study with the help of pre–recorded audio cassettes, CDs, computers and iPods, but these also have limitations, because not too many books or resources are available to blind people for higher education. Listening to audio files on the ABR will make learning easier. Given its features and usability, the ABR is the first–of–its–kind device in India," said Avinash Sangwai, national general secretary of Saksham.

The device also has a group hearing facility, wherein ten students can listen to audio files simultaneously. Saksham soon plans to make the ABR available to various schools and institutes working in the field of education for visually impaired.

Given the device's storage capacity of up to 60 hours, it can record the entire syllabus of Std X or Std XII. The ABR costs Rs 5,000 and Saksham is looking for sponsors willing to fund the cost of the device for visually impaired students.

Back home in Nagpur, Saksham has a library of some 15,000 audio books. "The ABR was introduced in Nagpur last year and currently, some 65 visually impaired students are using it," said Shirish Darwhekar, member of national working committee, Saksham. The ABR was introduced in Cochin, Trivandrum and Palakkad in Kerala, seven months ago.

The NGO also has a steady base of volunteers who record audio files on the memory card for further perusal by schools and institutions catering to the visually impaired. "We are looking at creating a similar volunteer base in Pune. For this, we plan to conduct a workshop that will involve training in recording, editing and transferring of audio files using the necessary software on to the memory card of the ABR as per the requirement of the user," said Darwhekar.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Course in electronic media for visually–impaired

PUNE, 18 July: There is hope for the visually–impaired students in the field of electronic media. Department of Education, University of Pune (UoP) in association with the department of Journalism, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), is offering a one–year diploma course in radio and journalism.

The course will begin in early August and has already enrolled visually–impaired students from Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur and Nashik. Vidyawani, the community radio station located at the UoP, is supporting this initiative by providing teaching assistance. "We have got the permission from the vice–chancellor of YCMOU, Rajan Welukar, to borrow some parts of the journalism modules from its one–year diploma course in journalism. Along with this, the staff from Vidyawani and other experts in the field of radio will provide practical and hands–on training in radio production to these visually–impaired students," said Satish Navale, research scholar at the Department of Education, UoP, who has spearheaded the Braillewani Web Radio to broadcast programmes for and by visually impaired, in association with Vidyawani.

Students will undergo lectures and practical sessions in radio anchoring, script writing, recording, interview techniques and presentation of radio programmes. Interestingly, the radio programmes they produce as a part of their syllabus, will be broadcast on the Braille WEB Radio, Vidyawani.

"The students will also be assessed and marked for their efforts in the radio programmes they produce. It is also important that the students learn how to handle the various equipment involved in radio production. Also, our staff will go to other centres like Mumbai, Nagpur and Nashik, to give additional on–field training to our students," informed Anand Deshmukh, director of Vidaywani, who will teach anchoring, presentation and scripting to the students.

"This course has been started on an experimental basis. The course also contains contact sessions, wherein our staff will go to the centres like Mumbai, Nagpur and Nashik to train the students practically. This will also involve audio conferencing with our students from the Vidyawani studio," says Navale.

Preceding the course, the Department of Education will host a special seminar on Braille WEB Radio Vidyawani on August 2. To be held on the occasion of Rakhi Pournima, the programme will have experts, along with visually–impaired students, discussing the challenges faced by special students and the roles of special educators.

According to Navale, the new course is also a way of encouraging students to join radio production at Braille Web Radio. "That's why, along with the curriculum from YCMOU, we have designed out own modules on practical training on radio production," says Navale.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Delhi University's quota for disability goes waste

NEW DELHI, 17 July: When Sandeep Singh Negi made his way to Delhi University (DU) in the blistering heat of early June, he could barely make out the contours of buildings and signs, if there were any, meant for students like him. Certified 100% visually impaired, Negi says, "I had no idea. I went by myself by DTC and asked my way to a college helpdesk,'' says the 21–year–old IAS aspirant who will be pursuing history (H) in Sri Venkateswara College.

The students manning helpdesks were unsure so Negi bought himself a general form. Asking around finally led him to the Dean of Student Welfare (DSW) office. It was here that he realized that DU had taken several steps to simplify the admission process.

To begin with, Negi learnt he could have had the form free. He could also have picked up the form in Braille, a new initiative this year. He could even have filled up his form online.

Negi's story is not an isolated one. Lack of awareness of how to go about seeking admission deters physically challenged students from attempting college. As a result, this year barely 20% of the 1,700 seats allotted to physically disabled students in the disability quota have been filled up. "Many don't know of the opportunities. We need to bridge that gap by establishing a connection between schools and colleges,'' says Dr Chandra Nisha Singh, officer on special duty at the Equal Opportunity Cell (EOC).

DSW also has special computers where disabled people can fill their forms with the help of volunteers. Counsellors help applicants choose course and college, guiding them on factors they should keep in mind. "The volunteers were really helpful,'' says 21–year–old Mohammad Azad Khan, also visually impaired.

With forms filled and disability certificate submitted, students had to go for disability verification to the on–campus health centre on specified days. "The staff are helpful. But many students are unable and have to struggle to climb to the first floor where the tests are held,'' said Pushpa Girotra, mother of Sanya Girotra who suffers a 90% disability from spasticity. Girotra took admission last year, but this year too, tests were held on the centre's first floor. Tests should be held on the ground floor, suggests Pushpa.

With more seats than applicants, admission is not a fight. "I could give preferences for colleges. A couple of weeks later, I was informed that I had got through BSc home science in Lady Irwin College,'' says a thrilled 19–year–old Ruchi Sadlania, who has 80% locomotor disability.

The entire admission process meant only three visits to campus, to register, for the health check–up and the final admission. These students are specially relieved by the practice of the university letting them know of their admission. When 18–year–old Ranjita Chatterjee, living with cerebral palsy, found out that she had got through, her joy knew no bounds. "A volunteer messaged me to say I'd got through Laxmibai College for political science (H), it felt good,'' says Ranjita. When she went to the college, she was relieved to find ramps at all important points.

Those in north campus colleges can access a resource centre started 10 months ago. Set up by DU's EOC and NTPC Foundation, the centre has a training hub for sign language, equipment room for Braille embossing, a 15 terminal computer lab and Braille and audio books.

Even if Negi, the IAS aspirant, can't get to this centre, getting through to a regular college is a dream come true. Visually challenged since birth, Negi never went to any school as a child. He studied in open school for Class X and completed Class XII from Sarvodaya Co–ed Sr Secondary School in Nanakpura, Moti Bagh. Now that he's integrated into the mainstream, he is ecstatic.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Kalam lays stone for centre for disabled people

MUZAFFARPUR, 17 July: Former President of India A P J Abdul Kalam has called upon engineering and medical scientists of the country to innovate technologies which the common man can afford.

Kalam was here to lay the foundation stone of the Integrated Composite Centre for Research and Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities and to inaugurate a seminar on `Inclusive Development and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities' at Turki, 15 km from here, on Thursday. The events were jointly organized by the Rehabilitation Council of India, office of the chief commissioner of persons with disabilities and JM Institute of Speech and Hearing.

Addressing a large crowd on the occasion, Kalam said human minds are stronger than diamonds. These minds should be used in meeting challenges facing the humanity. He felt the need for more innovative researches to make treatment of disabilities cost–effective.

The ex–President said researchers of Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam have brought down the cost of implanting a hearing–aid device from Rs 8 lakh to simply Rs 50,000. Such devices should be made further cheaper and effective. He counselled the JM Institute of Speech and Hearing to take up the dual task of training and research in this field.

Citing an example of a US astronaut's wife who controlled her stammering with sustained treatment, Kalam stressed the need for the Indian scientists to work with courage and determination.

He said such speech and hearing institutions are the convergence of medical, engineering and psychological wings which not only helps the disabled to improve their capabilities but also trains them to have courage and patience. He also referred to the researches being made for treatment of polio in the country.

But while referring to the expenditure on literacy and education of disabled persons, he lamented that it was quite negligible. It needed to be suitably enhanced, he said.

Earlier, Bihar minister for disaster management Devesh Chandra Thakur appealed to Kalam to treat Bihar as his child as the state treats him not only as a guardian but also as a god.

J M Institute president Manisha Kumari, BRABU VC Rajdeo Singh and Indian Rehabilitation's member–secretary JP Singh welcomed Kalam. He was greeted with thunderous applause by the audience when it started raining the moment he rose to deliver his address. It was after about a month that Muzaffarpur experienced a smart shower, although for a brief period.

The former president was offered two books, `Man Without Mission' and `Bihar Travel Guide' on behalf of The Times of India, Patna on the occasion.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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'Insult on physical disability could be considered as punishable offence'

MUMBAI, July 16th: Insulting a physically disabled person on his disability might soon be considered as an offence which would be punishable. A report submitted by the Maharashtra State Legal Commission to chief minister Ashok Chavan on Thursday emphasised that "insult on physical disability should be considered as an offence."

The 21st report submitted by D N Chowdry, chairman of the Commission, recommended that insult on physical disability should be considered as an offence and there should be a provision of punishment.

The State government in April 2009 had asked the Commission to make recommendations regarding handicapped act and accordingly a 26–page report was submitted. Chowdry in the report recommends that calling a disabled person on physical disability, speaking to them with disrespect, insulting on physical disability or abusing on disability as an offence and there should be a provision of punishment,.

Chowdry further said, "It was necessary to recommend that a disabled person should be treated respectfully in the society. There is no such provision in the prevailing Central Act."

Source: http://www.sakaaltimes.com

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Orissa Governor MC Bhandare released a documentary film on disability

BHUBANESWAR, 15 JULY: Governor MC Bhandare released a documentary film on disabled children titled ' Breaking the barrier' in the first annual function of Indian Institute of Education and Care (IIEC) here today.

A strong votary for the cause of children and disabled people, Governor Bhandare stayed after the meeting to see the documentary and was visibly impressed.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that the people with disabilities (equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation) Act–1995 is a landmark Act, but there should be widespread awareness about it.

He narrated how in Delhi he has led a group of blind women on a march to UGC office to protest the UGC's directive that no blind woman could be a lecturer. "Emphasis should be on economic empowerment and gainful employment. Skill development is important," he said adding that it is the collective duty and responsibility involving government, non–government, community organisations and media to ensure that disabled people are in a position to tackle their problems without depending on others.

The Governor felicitated the makers of the film: director Gouranga Charan Rout, script writer Sisir Kumar Das, cameraman Satya Patnaik, sound recordist Biswa Ranjan Chowdhury, music director Tarakant Panda, editor Ajay Mishra and background commentator Swarup Rout.

Speaking on the occasion, school and mass education secretary Mrs Bandana Jena underscored the need for media involvement and participation in generation of awareness in these matters. She cited the examples of Helen Keller, Stephen Hawkings, Satish Gujral, Lt. Gen. Pankaj Joshi and narrated how these people overcame lapses to achieve greatness. The film shows how life can change for a disabled child if only proper training and learning equipment are provided and guidance is given by well–trained professionals like teachers, physiotherapists and counselors.

An autistic child learns to count and plays a musical instrument, a small blind child is taught to climb staircases and cross roads and use a computer, a person having no legs below the knee drives a motor cycle, a small girl with terribly trembling palm and fingers does household chores, in this film.

Source: http://www.thestatesman.net

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ID cards, guides for people with disabilities

Giridih, July 12: Giridih has lined up double delight for its special people. It will soon become the first district of the state to offer special identity cards and a welfare guidebook to disabled people that will give them easy access to schemes designed for them across the country.

With guidance from disability commissioner Satish Chandra, deputy commissioner Vandana Dadel and district welfare officer Bandhu Fernandez have started preparing the ID cards that will be distributed among 7,573 beneficiaries enrolled under the state–sponsored Swami Vivekanand Disability Swavlamban Programme (SVDSP) this month. The welfare department will also provide them with diaries that will have all necessary information on medical facilities, disability gear and programmes being run for disabled people nationwide.

"Six months ago, the state disability commissioner was here to oversee a programme for special people and he came up with the proposal to make special ID cards for people listed under SVDSP," Fernandez said. "Each card being prepared will show the nature and percentage of disability, besides the name and address of the holder," he added.

The welfare department is likely to start distributing the cards from the third week of this month. In the first phase, 4,500 people will get their ID and diaries. "Ours will be the first district to provide national identity cards to disabled people . Elsewhere, all they get is a certificate from the health department that entitles them to railway concessions," said the welfare officer.

Deputy commissioner Dadel confirmed the initiative and said that the remaining 3,073 beneficiaries would also receive the ID cards and diaries soon.

Besides railway and also air concessions, the special ID will entitle disabled people to claim admission and jobs under the three per cent reserved quota, she added.

The special drive has come as a huge relief for many like Aftab Alam.

"So far, I did not care to enroll myself with the social welfare department because it had very little to offer. But now I will," said the man.

Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com

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Free software training for visually impaired teachers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 12 Jul: When the whole of the State's IT community has been roused to the idea of free software, why should visually impaired lag behind? In a novel step, the IT@School has joined hands with the Kerala State IT Mission to train nearly 240 visually–impaired teachers across the State in free software.

Though the move is simple, the aim is noble; to use the free software culture to the advantage of the less fortunate ones.

"One of the reasons why we chose to do it is that IT is now part of the school curriculum and not optional anymore. Also, IT is not a subject in itself, it's used for learning other subjects too. So when others are given training, we thought the deprived section must also get advantage of it,'' says K Anwar Sadath, Executive Director, IT@School project.

IT@School, which has been imparting free software education by including it in the school curriculum, has already launched a massive training programme for teachers in open sources. But, it's for the first time that the whole of the visually impaired teacher community are given schooling in Stallman's concept.

Orca, a free software tool, will now help the visually–impaired rise to the occasion.

A screen–reading tool, it has been customised for the purpose by Insight, which is a joint venture of Kerala State IT Mission and SPACE (Society for Promotion of Alternate Computing and Employment), aimed at empowering disabled people through computers, Internet and other ICT tools.

Insight will not just render training to the teachers but will equip them with the Orca tool for future purposes too.

"Just because a teacher is visually–impaired, it should not limit the person's access to information. Using this tool, the teacher will be able to improve his/her skills. There won't be a compromise in the quality of teaching, which will benefit the students too,'' says James Mathew, Insight Project Coordinator.

While the proprietary screenreading tools would cost a fortune for disabled people, Orca would open a new world to them, totally free. Which is why Insight will also provide a tutorial audio format of Orca to teachers during the training period. The training will be given in a batch of 10 for five days and will be completed by August last.

Source: http://www.expressbuzz.com

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Visually impaired person opens panchayat's eyes

RANGPAR (Rajkot district), 10 July 2009: He cannot see but was determined to open the eyes of administration. More than his poverty, 26–year–old Ratna Al, it was authorities turning blind eye to development works in his village that pained him.

A native of Rangpar, a dusty hamlet of 750 people in Wankaner taluka, Ratna used Right to Information (RTI). Ratna has put the village on development track. A neat two–km road has replaced the stony path connecting it to highway. The thorny gando bawal shrubs that dotted the roadside are now being cleared regularly and Rangpar is getting the facelift.

But, getting all this done was not at all easy for Ratna, whose family lives below poverty line. Besides all the paper work, he even had to suffer humiliation by officials whenever he raised questions about development.

"The documents I got using RTI showed that many works registered as completed in the papers were actually never taken up. In 2008, I used RTI to know how many schemes had panchayat implemented and how much money was spent on each work," said Ratna.

Though I did not get accurate information, it helped them realize that their inefficiency would be exposed.

Now, everything is falling in place, thanks to RTI.

"If RTI Act, was not there, we would never have known the irregularities in local administration'' said Ratna, a farmer studied till class X.

"I can't see but I can sense the relief among villagers," he said

"His work is truly praiseworthy. People support him but not openly as no one wants to confront local authorities. But, Ratna stands firm and results are there," says villager Bhurabhai Barot.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Minimum medical standards must even for disabled employees: SC

New Delhi, July 12: Minimum medical standards prescribed for a post or promotion has to be fulfilled by a person even if he or she has physical disability as the same is essential for safety, security and efficient functioning of an organisation, the Supreme Court (SC) has ruled.

Where disability is likely to affect safety, security or efficiency, then the minimum standards prescribed cannot be considered as denying a disabled person his promotion merely on the ground of his condition, the court said.

According to the apex court, such stipulations cannot be considered as violative of the provisions contained in the Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

A Bench of Justices R V Raveendran and P Sathasivam passed the ruling while upholding an appeal filed by the Union Government challenging an Allahabad High Court order which had ruled that the minimum medical standards prescribed for a normal employee cannot be insisted for a person suffering with certain disabilities.

"The intention of the Act is not to jeopardise the safety and security of the public, co–employees, or the employee himself or the safety and security of the equipment or assets of the employer nor to accept reduced standards of safety and efficiency merely because the employee suffers from a disability," the Bench observed.

The High Court had taken the view while hearing the case of Devendra Kumar Pant who challenged the Railways' insistence on producing certain fitness certificate at the time of his promotion to the post of Chief Research Assistant, Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO).

According to Pandey, the insistence on such a fitness certificate which required him to prove his "colour perception" was violative of Section 47(2) of the Disabilities Act. The said provision mandated that "no promotion shall be denied to a person merely on the ground of his disability".

Interpreting the Act, the apex court said Section 47(2) does not provide that even if the disability comes in the way of performance of higher duties and functions associated with the promotional post, promotion shall not be denied.

"Section 47(2) bars promotion being denied to a person on the ground of disability, only if the disability does not affect his capacity to discharge the higher functions of a promotional post.

"Where the employer stipulates minimum standards for promotion keeping in view safety, security and efficiency, and if the employee is unable to meet the higher minimum standards on account of any disability or failure to posses the minimum standards, then Section 47(2) will not be attracted, nor can it be pressed into service for seeking promotion," the Bench observed.

The apex court said the intention of the Act is to give a helping hand to persons with disability so that they can lead a self–reliant life with dignity and freedom.

Source: http://www.zeenews.com

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Helping visually–impaired find their voice on radio

PUNE, 10 Jul: Owing to his lack of sight, he could not fulfll his desire of working for Akashwani. Satish Navale, therefore, dreamt of working in radio and also providing employment opportunities to visually impaired.

To achieve these goals, Navale travelled across the country over eight years, teaching himself radio production by recording his experiences as radio programmes.

Today, Navale spearheads a radio series Dnyandrushtiche Saadhak Aamhi' which offers others like him a chance to work in the medium. The series, aimed at the visually challenged, is currently being aired on Vidyawani, the community radio station of the University of Pune (UoP).

"Visually impaired need to be sufficiently educated and properly employed. I wanted to work with Akashwani but my blindness was a huge impediment. That's why I decided to travel to various parts of the country to record people's views and issues," Navale says.

His trips to Mumbai, Rajasthan and even Jammu and Kashmir yielded him important lessons in radio production. "These travels taught me how to communicate with people, record what they are saying and understand their problems. That's how the process of self–education on radio production began for me," says Navale.

The result of his efforts were private radio recordings on the socio– economic conditions of the flower–sellers at the Ashtavinayak temple in Mumbai and on the employment opportunities for the common man in Rajasthan.

Interacting with soldiers who had fought in the Kargil War was another high point. "I recorded their experiences and presented them in a programme I had organised at Garware college in 2001. That's when I knew radio was my calling," he recalls.

Navale succeeded in airing his first radio programme on Akashwani, Pune in 2002. It was based on Baba Amte, which Navale put together by travelling to the social activist's ashram,' Anandvan, in Chandrapur district.

Today, Navale is employed as an educational researcher in the department of education, UoP, that has also begun airing radio programmes for, of and by visually impaired students through Vidyawani.

"The idea is to create radio programmes for these students keeping their academic, co–curricular and extra–curricular growth in mind. In fact, we also hope to generate employment opportunities for the visually impaired in the field of radio production and the rest of the electronic media," says Navale.

The use of mediums like the telephone, internet and satellite communication will help better educate the visually impaired, he feels. There are several plans in the pipeline. These include recording lectures by visually impaired graduates and teachers for radio programmes for the Indira Gandhi National Open University, translating literature by the blind and organising a national literary meet of the blind in December.

Navale is also busy developing tests for visually impaired students in consultation with Alka Wadkar, a faculty member of the UoP's psychology department. "We are also planning to offer phone counselling to blind students for the common entrance test (CET) in September," he informs.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Teachers debate filling posts for disabled people

New Delhi, Jul 09: There seems to be an existing bias against the teaching capabilities of physically disabled candidates, in the Science departments of Hindu College of Delhi University (DU).

On June 3, the teachers–in–charge of four of its Science Departments, Soma Gorai from Zoology, Monika Ram from Botany, Varun Sharma from Chemistry and Santa Kruz from Physics, wrote a letter to the acting principal S Chowdhary informing him that they would not be able to accommodate physically disabled candidates for teaching posts " because the departments involve experimentation in the curriculum...". A copy of the letter is with Newsline.

After realising the letter was against High Court guidelines, two teachers wrote three days later, saying they will follow all rules relating to PH teaching posts in the university.

Kruz said: "The letter was written on the assumption that physically disabled teachers may not be able to conduct experiments. I later realised my folly and wrote back that I have no objection regarding disability category recruitment."

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com

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Special recruitment drive for persons with disability

New Delhi: Center has initiated a special recruitment drive to fill up backlog vacancies for the posts reserved for persons with disability, Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.

"A special recruitment drive has been initiated recently to fill up backlog vacancies for the posts reserved for persons with disability," Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment D Nepoleon said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

He was asked whether government has recently taken steps for creating jobs for disabled persons to improve their condition in the country.

Mr. Nepoleon informed the House that Section 33 of the Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunity, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, provides for 3 per cent reservation in government employment, including one per cent each for disabled persons suffering from blindness or low vision, hearing impairment and locomotor disability or cerebral palsy.

"No sir," Nepoleon replied when asked whether government has issued any direction to private sector also to create jobs for disabled persons.

Mr. Nepolean, however, stated that a scheme for providing incentives to the private sector for giving employment to physically challenged persons has been launched with effect from April 1, 2008.

Source: http://www.hindu.com

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Bringing Books to people with visual disabilities

CHENNAI, 5 Jul: Anytime Anusha S wanted to read a book, she had to scan the whole volume herself, upload it onto her computer and wait for the software to convert it into an audio file. "It's a long process and so I usually don't read more than just my prescribed textbooks," says the visually impaired second year literature student of Stella Maris.

But on Saturday, Anusha discovered bookshare.org, a website that makes all kinds of books and periodicals available in an accessible format to disabled people across the world. Bookshare is essentially an online library of digitally scanned books for people with visual and reading disabilities. A disabled person can download and read any book using voice synthesiser software.

"The site is useful for blind, people with visual impairment, dyslexia, even physically challenged people who can't hold a book. We say it's for print disabled people," says Vijayashree Dilip, project manager, Bookshare.org India, at a seminar at Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya to familiarise people with the site. The website also provides free voice software, developed by Benetech, the US–based non–profit organisation that runs the Bookshare project.

Readers can sign up online if they're over 18, but need to fill a form if they are minors. They have to send in proof of disability and Rs 400 for a 12–month membership. Members download books in a compressed, encrypted file, which can be read aloud by software or displayed on a computer screen or Braille access device. "Dyslexic people find this useful as they can look at the text as it is being read out. In the US, 50% of our members are dyslexic and the rest visually impaired," says Vijayashree.

In India, Bookshare has tied up with the Worth Trust in Chennai, Saksham Trust in New Delhi and Xaviers Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged in Mumbai to draw in members. Worth Trust is also the organisation that scans and converts the books into accessible audio files.

The site, launched in India in October 2008, has 75 members across the country, of whom about 25 are in Chennai. "We've taken it slow as we wanted to find out the needs of Indian readers," says Vijayashree.

In the US, the site operates under an exception to copyright law that allows digital books to be made available to people with disabilities. In India, however, there is no such law or exemption, so Bookshare has been approaching publishers individually to get permission to upload books. "That's what's slowing us down convincing publishers to let us put their books up. But Seasons Publishing, Oxford University Press, Orient Blackswan and East West Publishers have been very encouraging and gave us permission immediately," she says. They're also hoping to approach NCERT and the Tamil Nadu government to make textbooks available in a disabled–friendly format.

"It's not always easy to find the latest books in a form that we can read," says Shivaraman, a visually challenged lecturer, as he carefully scrolls down Anna Sewell's Black Beauty', learning to use the site and software. "This opens up an entire world of books to us."

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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25,000 persons with disabilities identified in Chennai by Government

CHENNAI: The first enumeration of persons with disability in the State by the government has been completed in Chennai. Around 25,000 people with disability have been identified in the city.

The enumeration includes data on nine types of disability such as visually impaired and low vision, orthopaedically handicapped, mental retardation, mental illness, cerebral palsy, speech and hearing disabled, autism, leprosy cured and persons with multiple disabilities.

"The work in almost 50 per cent of the other districts in the State has been completed," said Meenakshi Rajagopal, State Commissioner for Disabled people.

The door–to–door survey, on the scale of a Census, was carried out to create a database on persons with disability and classify various types of disability.

It included 7 parameters such as personal details, type of disability, education status, employment, usage, need and supply of aids and appliances, rights of the people with disability and impact of various government schemes.

Around 700 volunteers undertook house–to–house visits. across the city and enumerated the persons with disability in each family besides profiling the type of disability on the basis of a questionnaire.

Printed copies of questionnaires were routed to resource persons through the respective District Disabled Rehabilitation Officers.

Details collected during the enumeration would help in better planning for persons with disability, said Ms.Rajagopal.

The baseline data for the exercise could help future policies, strategies and purposeful interventions.

It has been designed to be much more illuminating on not just the magnitude of disability, but its types and distribution of prevalence.

Analysis reporting of the survey will be done in coordination with the National Informatics Centre by September.

"We are forming a team to start social auditing of various buildings in Chennai next month," said

Ms.Rajagopal. This would help suggest changes in buildings to make them more disabled–friendly.

Source: http://www.hindu.com

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Hire teachers for disabled people: HC

NEW DELHI, 2 Jul: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Delhi government to appoint special teachers in each school to cater to the needs of disabled students.

"Every school must have special educator. We want you to appoint as many regular teachers as needed. The teachers should be appointed on a permanent basis and their salary must be at par with the regular teacher,'' a bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice Manmohan said while directing the Delhi government, MCD, NDMC to ensure such special teachers are appointed to teach disabled students.

The government, however, assured the court that 50 such teachers have already been appointed and more would be recruited in the coming days. Not satisfied with the reply, the court wanted to know about the steps taken by the government.

"We are not going to be satisfied with your assurance. You have to advertize and appoint teachers in all government schools,'' the bench said. The court's remarks came while hearing a PIL seeking a direction to the government to make schools disabled–friendly.

The petition filed by counsel Ashok Agrawal, alleged disabled students are suffering because of lack of facility and teachers in government schools. The counsel, in his petition, stated that regular schools did not have an adequate infrastructure for such students forcing them to go and study in special schools. The petition sought an infrastructure in every school that will make it disabled–friendly.

The petition also stated that mapping of the children should also be done to know which category they belong to so as to cater to their needs.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Students give disabled people a helping hand

PUNE, 2 Jul: Ganpat and Vishranti Shivtare, a physically disabled couple from the Utrauli village in Bhor taluka, always dreamed of a home of their own. Their dream would have remained one had it not been for a group of city students who came to the couple's help to build the basic plinth of their future home and avail benefits under the Indira Awaas Gharkul Scheme.

The Shivtares were sanctioned funds Rs 43,000 under the scheme, but needed to put the basic plinth in place before they received the funds, as per the government rules.

While Ganpat had lost a leg in an accident, his wife Vishranti is afflicted with polio in both her legs. "We told a few labourers to help us with the digging, but most of them demanded around Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. Finally, we decided to start the work ourselves," says Ganpat, a labourer himself.

With an 11–year–old son, Aniket, to look after, the duo earn their living with Ganpat working as a labourer and Vishranti as a tailor. "We manage to earn about Rs 2,000 a month," says Vishranti.

It was city–based the Adar Pratishthan and the Ekta Mitra Mandal that came to the rescue of the family after learning of their plight.

"We completed the plinth work and also built a three–feet–tall extension wall made of rubble, because the land is two feet below the road level which would have caused flooding in the monsoon. So we raised the level of the house," says Rahul Mane, chairperson of the Adar Pratishthan. The organisations also spent around Rs 15,000 from their own pockets for the work. It may be noted that this is the same organisation which helped commuters in the city during the recent autorickshaw strike by providing free rides to people in need.

Mane, along with members of both the organisations, and a few students completed the work in two days and two nights returning to Pune on June 30.

"It was not their disability that prompted us to help, but the determination and courage they showed by trying to do the work themselves. We have also told them that we will help them in any way possible in the future," says Mane.

MBA student Akshay Kadam, who was among the students who accompanied Mane, says it feels good to have helped someone. "When we learnt about their situation, all we could think of was going there personally and helping out," he says.

Another student, Sanjay Cabman, says that seeing their situation first–hand only encouraged him to help them even if it meant doing menial labour. "This was the first time that I had volunteered for something like this and it is satisfying," he smiles.

Now the Shivtares are awaiting the release of the first instalment of the funds, which they hope will be soon. "We have in the meantime started off with some other work including building the toilet. We just hope the funds come soon," says Sanjay Dhongde, a resident of the village and also the joint secretary of the Utkarsh Apang Samiti, an organisation based in Loni and Bhor that help the disabled.

But the Shivatres are relieved that they have successfully crossed the first hurdle. "We are glad that we received help when we needed it the most. We just hope we can build our home soon," says Ganpat.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Furious over tardy progress of schemes, disabled people go on fast

CHENNAI, 2 Jul: Most engineering students hold letters offering them jobs even before they graduate, but 24–year–old Deepika Rajappah is still sending out her resume and attending interviews, despite having scored 92% in her electronic engineering course at SRM University. "No company wants to hire someone in a wheelchair," said Deepika, who is 90% disabled. She said she was also denied a seat in a government medical college because of her disability, which is why she chose engineering.

Deepika was among the 1,200–odd people from across the state who observed a day–long hunger strike in Chepauk on Wednesday, demanding better implementation of government schemes for the disabled. High on their list of demands was better education and employment opportunities.

"Despite 3% reservation in government jobs, not even a quarter of the 9,000 jobs meant for the disabled (3% of 3,00,000 available government jobs) are filled," said Aruna Devi, a visually impaired person. "Government orders have been passed but nothing is done on the ground. We are tired of hearing excuses," she said. And as per GO 151, disabled temporary government employees who have served two years should be confirmed but this has not happened, she added.

Protestors like Deepika were hoping that the demand for 5% reservation for disabled people in all new companies being set up in the state would be implemented. Other demands that have been granted but are yet to be met included bus pass concessions for both the disabled and their escorts, free education, hike in the assistance amount for elderly, disabled people from Rs 400 to Rs 1,500, a vocational centre with hostel facility, and 5% contribution from the state government to disabled people availing of the Prime Minister's self–employment scheme.

"We met chief minister M Karunanidhi last August and presented 11 demands. Nine of them were granted and eight government orders passed, but none of them have been implemented by the department of social welfare," said TMN Deepak, state vice–president, Tamil Nadu Handicapped Federation. "This is just the first step, if the government does not respond within a month, we will go on an indefinite hunger strike," he said.

The State Commissioner for disability office, however, said that the government orders were being implemented in a phased manner. "The implementation is slow because there are a lot of issues involved, but it is being done. We are looking into all their demands and I am sure we can implement them within the next two to three months," the official said. "Tamil Nadu has nearly 45 schemes for the disabled and is a forerunner in equal rights for disabled people ," the official added.

Activists maintain that more needs to be done. "We also want people aware of disabled people's issues to be involved in decision making and transparent implementation of the schemes," said Fr A Ignasi Muthu of Clarentian Life Animation Project in Tambaram.

There is also the issue of respect of disabled people: Pachiammal of Villupuram district said she also wanted government staff such as bus conductors and drivers to be sensitised to their needs. "Last week, three of us were going to our tailoring class, but the conductor refused to let all of us to get onto the same bus since we had passes. He said he wouldn't make any money on his trip if freeloaders like us keep travelling. It's not just about having schemes implemented, people should be sensitive at all levels," she said.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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2,000 disabled people across TN fast against govt apathy

CHENNAI, 1 Jul: Approximately 2,000 disabled people from across the state will organise a day–long token fast on Wednesday to protest the inefficiency of the government in administering the schemes meant for this section of the population. The demonstration is a follow–up of a massive rally held on August 19, 2008, where a thousands of disabled peopled took to the streets with a 11–point charter of demands. While chief minister M Karunanidhi had met the delegation on the same day and consented to nine of the demands, they are yet to be implemented.

"According to a GO dated August 27, 2008, the government constituted a higher level committee to ensure 3% reservation for disabled people in government jobs. Of the 3 lakh jobs available, there should be 9,000 for disabled people. However, the committee did not meet for 10 months and convened it's first meeting on June 26. During this session, it was found that only 753 disabled people are currently employed by the government instead of 9,000. This is a dismal figure," said P Simmachandran, general secretary of the Federation of Tamil Nadu (TN) Physically Handicapped Persons. He added that the committee did not have disabled persons as observers or members.

Similarly, GO No 151 passed passed by the department dictates that services of disabled persons working on a temporary basis in the minimum scale be made permanent. Though they have been working for more than eight years, this has not happened, Simmachandran said.

Pressing forward a charter of similar demands, members of 70 organisations from across the state will take part in the fast which will go on from 9.30 am to 5 pm at Chepauk on Wednesday.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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