Disability India Information Resources

skip nav

    Archieves

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.



March Issue



A surplus budget for NDMC, Aims at improving civic infrastructure for the 2010 Games

NEW DELHI: 30 Mar, 2007, Aimed at creating a better civic infrastructure for the upcoming Commonwealth Games-2010, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Thursday passed a surplus budget for 2007-08, focusing mainly on restoration and beautification of Lutyens' Delhi, besides taking steps for infrastructure development, maintenance and enhancement of green areas and strengthening the sanitation and solid waste management mechanism.

The budget, prepared keeping in mind the recently notified Master Plan for Delhi-2021, has neither proposed any new taxes nor sought to increase water or power charges. Envisaging an expenditure of Rs.1,163.23 crore against an expected receipt of Rs.1,164.55 crore, its emphasis is on early completion of ongoing projects besides proposing over a dozen new development projects.

The NDMC also plans to give scholarships to girls and physically challenged students, besides those belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Addressing a press conference after the clearance of the budget by the Council members, outgoing NDMC Chairperson Sindhushree Khullar said over Rs.500 crore would be spent over the next three years on carrying out major re-development projects.

"A sum of Rs.61 crore has been sanctioned for the redevelopment of Connaught Place, while the concept plans for the makeover of the two venues for the Commonwealth Games -- Talkatora Indoor Stadium and Shivaji Stadium -- are being prepared," she added.

Other major projects include extensive street-scraping, building multi-level parking lots in various areas of Lutyens' Delhi, construction of foot over-bridges, re-development of markets and community centres, construction of an old age home and restoration of heritage properties and schools.

Ms. Khullar said the Council had earmarked Rs.460 crore for electricity supply, Rs.157 crore for roads and public works, Rs.135 crore for sanitation and health, Rs.114 crore for education, sports and social services and Rs.52 crore for water supply.

The NDMC would introduce English as a medium of instruction in nursery and Class I in all its schools from the new academic year. 


Source:www.hindu.com/2007/03/30/stories/2007033024450500.htm

Top


Electronic Voting Machines to go blind-friendly this election

PANJIM, MARCH 29, New Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) enabled with brailley for the blind will be in use for the first time in Goa during the ensuing assembly elections.

Officials have disclosed that the old EVMs are being scrapped and the new machines have already been received and dispatched to the respective assistant election returning officers.

There appears to be some confusion over the use of the new EVMs meant to facilitate the blind as the earlier practice of a visually impaired being escorted to the EVM and assisted with the use of the EVM is likely to be discontinued in view of the introduction of brailley.

Election officials are in the dark on the procedures need to be followed for the blind as no special demonstrations of the new EVMs for the blind voters are on schedule.

It is also not known as to how many blind voters exist in the State neither do the electoral rolls show any indication of such voters.

This matter is likely to be on the agenda for thorough discussion when the new Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ramesh Negi takes over.

The office of the CEO has also written to the Election Commission of India seeking information on how to dispose off the old EVMs numbering 1400.

The old machines have now been replaced with 1500 brailley enabled EVMs.

The increase in number of EVMs is primarily on account of an increase in the number of polling stations identified for the ensuing assembly polls.

According to officials, 63 additional polling stations have been identified after conducting the process of rationalizing polling stations.

It is learnt that the North District will have 28 more polling stations.

After identifying new polling stations the total figure is now up to 476 as against the earlier figure of 448 in North Goa. 


Source:http://oheraldo.in/node/23577

Top


Disabled employee gets salary arrears, Relief after four years of battle with Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation

MADURAI: 29 Mar, The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) on Wednesday disbursed Rs.1,52,226 towards the salary arrears due to a physically challenged employee, P. Thangamarimuthu of Madurai, who lost his legs inan accident on September 11, 2003 while working as a conductor.

Initially, he was discharged from service and not provided with an alternative job despite High Court orders. His plight was highlighted in The Hindu on February 10, 2006.

Immediately, the then Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, directed the officials concerned to reinstate him with all monetary and service benefits. Though he was reinstated in a clerical job, the salary arrears due to him were not disbursed. This too was reported in columns of The Hindu on Monday.

In the meantime, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High court suo motu treated a letter written by the victim as a public interest litigation petition and issued notice to the TNSTC counsel on Tuesday. When the matter came up for admission before a Division Bench comprising Justice F.M. Ibrahim Kalifulla and Justice K. Veeraraghavan on Wednesday, the victim's counsel reported that his client had received the cheque towards salary arrears on the same day morning.

He also told that the victim had decided to visit the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad on April 5 for fixing artificial limbs as per the guidance of the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Mr. Thangamarimuthu, thanked the President, the Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, The Hindu and all those who strived for establishing the Madurai Bench. 


Source:www.hindu.com/2007/03/29/stories/2007032915270100.htm

Top


Guwahati High Court directs State Govt to reserve posts

GUWAHATI, The Guwahati High Court in a recent order has asked the Irrigation Department and the ASEB to ensure reservation of posts for persons with disabilities as determined by the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995, or PD Act for short.

Organizations representing the disabled and activists working for the rights of the disabled have welcomed the Gauhati High Court order but observed that the Government has fared poorly in fulfilling its obligations. Anju Talukdar, assistant project co-ordinator, Disability Law Unit-NE, Shishu Sarothi, on Wednesday said that while the judiciary has consistently stepped in to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, the Government had overlooked many areas where its intervention is very necessary.

The disabled should have access to free education, a barrier free environment and social security. But the disabled will not get their due rights if the Government do not co-operate, said Anju, adding that the disabled are forced to approach the judiciary for their rights.

Anju along with her colleague Arman Ali, had filed a public interest litigation (no 2/2007) against the Irrigation Department and the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) and the ASEB (No. 19/2007) for ignoring the rights of the disabled in recent recruitment drives. On September 2, 2006, the APSC had issued an advertisement for recruitment to various posts including 53 posts of assistant engineers (civil) under the Irrigation Department.

While reservations were made for SC, ST (Hills), ST (Plains), OBC and MOBC, no reservations were made for persons with disabilities, though section 33 of the PD Act mandates 3 per cent of all Government vacancies be reserved for the disabled.

On September 9, 2006, the ASEB advertised for 100 posts of assistant engineer, 100 posts of junior engineer and 75 posts of assistant accounts officer. Here again the authorities had flouted the provisions of the Act by not making any reservation for the disabled.

g If the Government plays the role of an adversary, no Act would be able to ensure security to the disabled,h observed Anju.

Acting on the PIL, the Division Bench of the Chief Justice (acting) D Biswas and Justice BP Kataky has directed the Irrigation Department to fill the current as well as the backlog vacancies by making three per cent reservation for the disabled, and to advertise through APSC within six weeks.

On the other hand, the court has directed the ASEB to fill three posts of assistant engineer, three posts of junior engineer and two posts of assistant accounts officer which it claims to have reserved for the disabled as soon as possible. Both the cases were argued by S.S Dey. 


Source:www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=mar2907/at04

Top


SIGNING AND RATIFICATION OF THE UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES BY INDIA

Thursday, March 29, 2007: The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for signing and ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities excluding the Optional Protocol.

By signing and ratifying the UN Convention, India will be re-affirming its commitment towards International Policy Framework in respect of the Persons with disabilities. Also, it would enhance the prestige in the international community.

The purpose of the UN Convention is to promote protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity. As per the Convention the Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.


The general principles of the Convention are as under:-
(i)Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make onefs own choices, and independence of persons;
(ii)Non-discrimination;
(iii)Full and effective participation and inclusion in society;
(iv)Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity;
(v)Equality of opportunity;
(vi)Accessibility;
(vii)Equality between men and women;
(viii)Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities.

Accroding to the Census 2001, there are 2.19 cr persons with disabilities in India who constitute 2.13 per cent of the total population. This includes persons with visual, hearing, speech, locomotor and mental disabilities. Seventy five per cent of persons with disabilities live in rural areas, 49 per cent of disabled population is literate and only 34 per cent are employed. The earlier emphasis on medical rehabilitation has now been replaced by an emphasis on social rehabilitation. 


Source:http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=26474

Top


Govt. approves signing of UN convention on rights for disabled people

New Delhi, Mar 29: The Union Cabinet today gave its go ahead for signing and ratifying the United Nations "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities", excluding the optional protocol.

By signing and ratifying the Convention, India will be re-affirming its commitment towards International Policy Framework in respect of the persons with disabilities. Also, it would enhance the prestige in the international community.

The UN Convention envisages promoting, protecting and ensuring the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

As per the Convention the Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

According to the Census 2001, there are 2.19 cr people with disabilities in India who constitute 2.13 per cent of the total population. This includes persons with visual, hearing, speech, locomotor and mental disabilities.

Seventy five per cent of persons with disabilities live in rural areas, 49 per cent of disabled population is literate and only 34 per cent are employed. The earlier emphasis on medical rehabilitation has now been replaced by an emphasis on social rehabilitation.

The general principles of the Convention are-- respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one's own choices, and independence of persons; non-discrimination; full and effective participation and inclusion in society; respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity; equality of opportunity; accessibility; equality between men and women; respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities. 


Source:http://www.dailyindia.com/show/129350.php

Top


No accord for disability rights in Himachal

March 28th, 2007: Himachal Pradesh is doing quite well in education, health, horticulture and many other sectors. But unfortunately, its performance in the field of disability is very poor. Not only the topography of this hilly state but lack of sensitivity at social and governmental level is posing a big challenge before the disabled community. More than two lakh disabled population of the state is completely deprived of their constitutional rights.

Even eleven years after the enforcement of Persons with Disability (PWD) Act. The government has not been able to evolve a state disability policy. The lack of political will and hostile attitude of bureaucracy towards this marginalised section of the society is a matter of great concern. Now a strong disability rights movement is the need of the hour so that the disabled could get equal opportunities. The work in this connection has been started, although quite late.

It is interesting that no authentic data about the number of disabled persons is available with the government. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment conducted a survey in 2000-01 which put the number of the disabled at 64,772. But the census report of 2001 revealed that 1, 55,950 persons are disabled in the state. Even this figure can not be said as authentic because the persons who carried out the census operations were not trained to collect the data about disability. Therefore the total number of the disabled will be much more than the official figure. One can easily imagine that without knowing the number of the target group, how the officials would be preparing and implementing the policies and programmes for the welfare of the disabled. Collection of authentic data about the disabled is the main requirement under the PWD Act.

The PWD Act has a clear mention that the state governments would evolve a state disability policy. This act was enforced in the country on February 7, 1996. Since then, the government of Himachal Pradesh made no serious effort to prepare this policy document. The government even ignored the directions of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in this regard which had in 2002 written to the Chief Minister asking him to constitute a task force to prepare a policy for the disabled. The NHRC had also directed the government to monitor the implementation of that policy. Not only this, that statutory body of the country had asked the state to formulate a plan of action after vertical integration of the schemes of all the departments for the disabled and create a barrier free infrastructure on priority. But the state government showed the directions the dustbin.

Under the PWD Act, it is mandatory to constitute a State Coordination Committee (SCC) and a State Executive Committee (SEC). The former is a policy framing body and the later is its implementation wing. These committees were constituted after several years of enforcement of the act only due to the pressure built by the print media. It was a must to meet at least once in six months for the SCC and in three months for the SEC. But the reality is entirely different. The meetings of these important committees are never held on time.

It is made mandatory for the state under the Act to provide a mechanism to the disabled for solving their problems. That is the appointment of a Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (Disability Commissioner). But every thing in this regard has been done on papers only. The government had given additional charge of this post to the Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment way back in 1999. This was just an eye wash. Till today, there was neither a sign board or name plate of the disability commissioner in the government secretariat. This senior IAS officer has constitutional responsibility on his shoulders to ensure barrier free environment to the disabled. When he has not removed barriers from the office the Disability Commissioner, how would he fulfil his responsibilities in the entire state?

This most important office remained non functional until the Society for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies (SDRS), Himachal Pradesh Chapter, filed a complaint on behalf of a cent percent hearing impaired boy Tarun Kumar in the court of disability commissioner in August 2006. He was denied admission in the ITI at Shimla under the provision of three percent reservation for the disabled. This was the first case in the court of the Disability Commissioner and the SDRS made history when Tarun was given admission after the principal of ITI received the summon from the said court.

The history was repeated when SDRS in October 2006 filed another case in the court of the Disability Commissioner. This time the victims were class- IV daily waged visually impaired employees. Their wages were not released by the government for several months and it was very difficult for them to meet both end meal. The issue was highlighted in the media also and they were given their due. Unfortunately this time the Disability Commissioner did not bother to respond to the complaint because one of the victims was an employee of his own department. The SDRS got success in releasing their wages very next day through the pressure built by media.

Disabled People are dealt with raw hands in the state by the government agencies. Proper health, education and transportation facilities are not accessible to them. Higher or vocational education in an appropriate environment and employment is still a far dream for them. A research study conducted by the Chairman, SDRS, Himachal Pradesh Chapter has revealed that it will take more than 150 years to provide government jobs under 3 percent reservation to the existing 11,887 unemployed who are registered with the special employment exchange if the pace of giving them jobs remain the same as it was in the last 30 years and the new registrations are banned.

The government has failed to identify the posts where the disabled are to be accommodated, although it is mandatory under the Act. That is why the 3 percent reservation is given to them in files only. The literacy rate among the disabled is only 52 percent and 92 percent of their population live in rural and remote areas. Seeing the apathetic attitude of the governmental agencies, some people knocked the door of the state high court and their PILs are pending there in.

That is the situation in which only a strong disability rights movement in the state can provide the solution.. The SDRS has started the work in this direction with the help of various NGOs and individuals working for the cause. Some workshops and lectures have been organized, four Live Phone-in programmes on disability rights have been broadcast on All India Radio Shimla and one Live Phone-in has been telecast on Doordarshan Shimla apart from other activities. The print media is also providing good support to the cause. The main thrust is on making the disabled and the public aware of the rights of the disabled. In this connection the SDRS has instituted two Awards in the field of disability and media. If the people in general and the disabled in particular are involved in the right manner, we will start seeing results very soon. Help and support in this regard from all quarters is solicited. 


Source:http://www.himvani.com/news/2007/03/28/

Top


Blind aviator flies halfway across globe

AHMEDABAD: 28 March: 'Sky is the limit' is a saying visually impaired Miles Hilton-Barber is all set to immortalise. Hilton-Barber, a Briton, is flying halfway across the globe in a microlight to raise money for combating preventable blindness in developing countries.

The plane carrying the 55-year-old motivational speaker, who lost vision at 21, and a mandatory sighted co-pilot landed in Ahmedabad on Tuesday after taking off from London on March 7.

The 50-day journey from London to Sydney in Australia is sure to make him the first blind aviator to fly halfway across the globe, but the record is the last thing on Hilton-Barberfs mind. "We are flying to help blind people restore their sight," he said after arriving in India, which has an estimated 12 million visually impaired people. When the microlight lands in Sydney on April 25, the adventurer would have raised more than his target of $2 million for a charity, 'Seeing is Believing', to restore sight to 10 million people in developing countries as part of the WHOfs goal of eradicating blindness by 2020.

According to health minister Anbumani Ramadoss, India will be reaching the target five years ahead of WHOfs. About 60% of India's blind population suffer from preventable blindness, which means all of them have the potential to achieve complete cure if proper treatment is made available.

Complete cure is Hilton-Barber's dream too for millions around the world with preventable blindness. Though he is sure his own blindness can't be cured (he lost vision to a genetic disorder), Hilton-Barber has amazed the world with his achievements, which include the first flight by a blind pilot over the English channel in a microlight, circumnavigating the globe in 80 modes of transport, flying at above 20,000 feet in a microlight (a British high-altitude record for any pilot) and a world record lap by a blind driver in the Malaysian Grand Prix. Hilton-Barber dominates the controls of his plane using the revolutionary speech-output instrument.

And he relies on his ears to detect any malfunction. "I found my calling when my dream to become a fighter pilot crashed after I lost my sight completely. But I challenged myself to become a licensed pilot," said the adventurer who has scuba dived 19 km under the Red Sea and participated in extreme endurance events in Siberia, Antarctica and the Sahara desert.

Hilton-Barber and his sighted co-pilot Richard Meredith Hardy will take their microlight to Bhopal ? their second and final stop in India ? to visit people blinded after the gas tragedy before flying out to Myanmar. The 21,000-km journey will also cover Malaysia and Indonesia in the last leg.

Having already travelled across West Asia, Hilton-Barber finds the "sounds and smells of India" fascinating and the hospitality of Indians touching. "You have a good system of democracy, but too many papers to fill," joked Hilton-Barber, who seemed to have surmounted that obstacle too with consummate ease. 


Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Top


Grooving to nirvana, Attempts have been underway for a long time to remove barriers for disabled people. Moksha is doing its bit by integrating them into performance art, reports ANAND SANKAR

A lot of people have tried to include the disabled into different walks of life, but this is probably the first time a serious attempt has been made to include them in dance. This is Moksha, a dance group, in the words of Rama Chari, one of its creators.

It all started as an idea to create an atmosphere of inclusion. Chari, a part-time human resources person at a BPO, has been involved with disability issues for long . She zeroed in on the concept of Moksha while sharing a cup of tea with a colleague, Vijay Colaco, who is a well-known choreographer in campus circles. The duo wasted no time in getting the necessary people together, and after months of hard practice and two performances - in Bangalore and recently at Delhi, have taken the group's message to a wider audience.

Inclusion is the Moksha mantra. Take Venkatesh for instance. He suffered a spinal cord injury that has left him wheelchair bound. Moksha has a sequence just for him and Manjunath who suffers from a similar problem. When asked how it was to perform in a wheelchair in front of so many people, Venkatesh just says "khushi."

Colaco who conceptualises the dance sequences for the group says his idea has never been to just "include" a few disabled people in Moksha but to make it a creative set up where all the performers are treated equally. He cites examples of how they never identify which group members are disabled while introducing them on stage and how in spite of the severity of disabilities in the cases of Venkatesh and Manjunath, they still practised long hours.

"It must have been very tiring. They used to wait for their turn while we practised for 45-minute sequences. They would sit patiently for long hours and many a time just forget their injuries. This is an experience, which is completely different. There is a lot of talent hidden in these people. It has brought about a change in our lives. We now want to get more people in," says Colaco.

Moksha today comprises dancers Amruth Krishna, Nagesh, Tony Pius, Channy Loaan, Reema Furtado, Bhavana Sial, Nitya Sheshadri, Ashwin George, Javed G., Ankit Jindal, Venkatesh and Manjunath, with Colaco doing the choreography and Chari and Debrah handling the logistics.

All of them accept that Moksha was definitely "not easy at the first attempt." The dancers were chosen by Colaco from the pool he knows while for the disabled members auditions were held at the Association for People with Disabilities (APD). Quite a number it seems turned up but only a few were chosen because only "people with a passion for dance" were wanted. The group agrees that a lot of hopes were crushed during those days but there are plans to do workshop for them sometime in the future.

It took many hours of gruelling practice to get the group working together and they are proud of the fact that not a single person took a fall during practice or performances. This is in spite of them attempting things such as having a couple of dancers do gymnastics over wheelchairs and make a almost fully visually impaired Ankit Jindal do a sequence with turns.

"We incorporated sign language into the dances. There is no thought process and no choreography. I just go with an instantaneous feeling of creativity. I believe in the cause and create dance. It was a challenge. We trusted them and they did justice," says Colaco.

Definitely the most-bubbly member of the group, Nitya Sheshadri, gushes about the fact that the two members who are hearing impaired ? Nagesh and Amruth ? groove to the music effortlessly. She says now gestures are just enough and they don't need sign language to communicate between themselves. "We have all become more sensitive and attached," she sums up.

For his part Amruth says he manages to just about catch a few beats with one ear while Nagesh cannot do even that, but they say it doesn't matter to them as he gestures that the music comes from within.

The group travelled together to Delhi for their performance. For some of the disabled such as Venkatesh, the experience was special right from the start - he had never flown in an aeroplane before. While about to return to Bangalore, Jindal did something that really touched the group's heart. A Delhiite, he took his cab to India Gate just to buy the famous chaat from there for everyone.

Colaco is now busy with his next assignment for Moksha. He wants to create a Kathak piece with chakkars (lots of turns). It will include wheelchair performers and will be without background music, with sound only coming from anklets.

But first the group wants to register themselves as an NGO so that more resources can be brought in. They say their motto is simple: "Use dance as a medium to touch people and make the world a better place to live in." Anyone wishing to contact Moksha for a program can call Rama Chari on 98805 83277 or Vijay Colaco on 98864 02987. 


Source:The Hindu, 28th March, Bangalore Edition

Top


India's first disabled theatre group comes of age

Jaipur, Mar.24 : India's first professional dance theatre by special children rolled out a show here recently.The show based on Hindu mythology was staged in Jaipur by Ability Unlimited, a Delhi-based group run by specially-abled children.

Some 15 children -- on wheel chairs and crutches -- left a large audience spellbound by the dexterity of their actions.

"Martial art part was the best, as they used the swords. The use of the wheel chair was excellent. One need lot of skill to do such things," said Sivanand, a local.

Despite their disabilities, the children were raring to go even further.

"I want to do even better and show the world that I am as good as normal people," said Gulshan a young artist.

The group was formed to sensitize the society towards differently-abled people and give them a sense of pride.

"There is no disabled friendly environment in India. Buses, park none of the public places are disabled friendly in India. So we are trying to give this message through this programme that for these disabled people ...education and creation of disabled free environment is necessary. It is also necessary to treat then with equality and dignity. Therefore we are doing these shows as a revolution," said Syed Sallahudin Pasha, choreographer and the director of the show.

The group has held shows across India and abroad.About two per cent of India's one billion plus population is disabled and live on the fringes of society, struggling to make a living.

But help groups put the figure at five to six percent of the population, or 50 to 60 million people.Though India enacted a legislation to give a host of rights to differently-abled people in 1995, its implementation leaves much to be desired. 


Source:http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/

Top


Disabled People approach Plan panel for more funds

New Delhi, March. 23 (PTI): A delegation of disabled people today urged the Planning Commission to increase funds for the welfare of disabled in the 11th Five-Year Plan.

A five-member delegation under the banner of National Disability Network met Planning Commission member Bhalchandra Mungekar and sought more funds for the welfare of the disabled person.

We seek greater implementation of Disability Act, 1995. More funds should be allocated for the welfare of the disabled," Executive Director of National Disability Network Javed Abidi said.

Facilities everywhere are inconsiderate to the needs of the physically challenged. The government should change its approach from a welfare based one to a rights based one," said Mohan Chowdhary, President of the Network's Patna unit.

Abidi claimed that Mungekar understood the concerns raised by the Network and assured appropriate action in this regard".

We are still concerned as the planning commission- appointed working group for disability had submitted its report two months back and the clearing committee has not met yet, he said. 


Source:www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200703231757.htm

Top


Five million mentally ill women in India: National Commission for Women (NCW)

India is home to five million mentally ill women and there is an urgent need to review and reframe the archaic Mental Health Act 1987, the National Commission for Women (NCW) said Wednesday.

Mental health in 21st century is a great threat. We think India needs to review its archaic law and broaden the scope of mental health,' said NCW chairperson Girija Vyas.

On the occasion of International Women's Day Thursday, NCW will focus on women's mental health and ask the central government to do so as well.

Nearly five million women are mentally ill and need special care but it seems we are not giving due attention, Vyas told reporters here.

Over the last 20 years India has witnessed many behavioural changes and mental illness is a major health menace that India's working population is faced with.

The present definition of 'mental disorder' is very vague. Anxiety, depression and many other problems should be incorporated, she stressed.

We are preparing a framework underlining our demand on this issue. We will recommend to the centre to emphasise on four issues - stringent law, broadening the scope of mental health definition, rehabilitation of mentally ill women and providing free legal aid,' Vyas told IANS.

She said that sensitisation of both men and the police was very essential. 'We are also going to incorporate it in our framework. Besides, we will take up the case with the finance ministry to allocate special funds for mental health treatment.'

NCW is all set to conduct workshops, seminars and awareness camps across the country to dispel the stigma associated with mental health throughout 2007.

To start with, the body will organise a two-day mental health conference beginning Thursday to be inaugurated by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

According to experts, 8.1 percent of all disabilities in India are due to mental illnesses, as against 5.8 percent due to cancer and 4.4 percent due to heart diseases.

Said Nimesh G. Desai, medical superintendent at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, Delhi's only mental hospital: 'Sexual abuse and exploitation are the main reasons for mental aberration in Delhi.'

He added: 'Many divorces are happening on the ground of mental illness and here women need free legal aid. We hope NCW, the government and NGOs will lend their support to fight their cause.' Desai said his hospital would partner NCW in all their efforts. 


Source:www.indiaenews.com/health/20070311/42365.htm

Top


Wheelchair bound Cricket World Cup spectators face no problem

Port of Spain, 23rd March: Wheelchair bound spectators, who visited the Queens Park Oval, are all praise for the World Cup venue where provisions have been made for them to gain access to the ground.

I am having a good time at the Oval and being in a wheelchair hasn't been an inconvenience. I'm seeing all the action and the volunteers have been helpful to us whenever we needed them,' said Shane Buckridan, a disabled student from St. Elizabeth Home for the Handicapped.

Buckridan was accompanied by nurse Sandra Nicome Affong Wednesday, to watch the Sri Lanka-Bangladesh match. Affong said that the volunteers and attendants were helpful in escorting them to their designated seating area and that they were given good seats from which to watch the match.

It is nice to know that organising committees took the needs of the disabled into consideration in preparing the stadiums for the matches. Here we have been able to access our seats with ease and have not had to worry about blocking other spectators wanting to move around. We also have enough space to move freely if we need to go and get something to drink, or just go for a walk between innings,' said Affong. Pani Merath, another wheelchair user who travelled from Sri Lanka with his mother to support his team, was also pleased with the facilities at the Port of Spain venue.

I did not encounter any problems getting to my seat. After the staff checked our tickets, they allowed us to get to the entrance of our stand by car. This made it a lot easier. Everyone has been very understanding and helpful,' said Merath.

His mother, Milina, said her son is a 'huge cricket fan and to be able to come to Trinidad and watch Sri Lanka play is a real joy for him'. Pani being in a wheelchair has not posed any problem for us here at the venue and we have good seats with a great view of the field. We're now looking forward to attending some of the other matches,' she added.

Anand Daniel, CEO of the Trinidad and Tobago Local Organising Committee (LOC) said that all efforts put into the Oval renovation have achieved the desired results as far as wheelchair-bound patrons were concerned.

Today's modern stadiums and facilities must make provisions for a number of different stakeholders, wheelchair users included. It was always our intention that any renovations to Queen's Park would include provisions for them,' he said.

The investment in all the years of planning and meetings have paid off and we have a venue that is world class, one that caters to various user groups and one which we can be proud of.' 


Source:www.indiaenews.com/america/20070323/44392.htm

Top


Discrimination in design; by design

Design is ignored in public places, homes and workplaces by individuals as well as institutions at the cost of the physically challenged sections of society, points out Sminu Jindal, MD, Jindal SAW

Generally people think that disability is something that afflicts others. That esomethingf is obviously apparent ? someone who is wheelchair bound or using crutches or wearing leg braces is mobility impaired, someone carrying a white cane is blind, and someone who cannot utter a coherent word is dumb and mute.

What about someone who fails to read a written word without the assistance of glasses or someone for whom the world crystallizes from a haze of blurred images only on wearing corrective glasses?

How can you communicate with a person who imposes his point of view without taking yours in to consideration? Would you not instead communicate with a mute person who makes an effort to understand your point of view?

Would you rather not walk alongside a willing co-passenger, even if s/he is mobility challenged, rather than a lazy laggard? What is at display is the adoptive or the prefix edisf that reduces their ability to disability.

Disability is a part and parcel of the able-bodied routine life that makes daily chores challenging at individual levels, but the society chooses to look the other way as it offers them an opportunity to carry out routine chores with the aid of small innovations.

In the case of the conventionally challenged, the society is less accommodative. So much so that basic amenities too are hard to come by and there is even discrimination in design.

Be it public places, homes or workplaces, design is an issue that the government, town planners or even architects have been ignoring at the cost of the mobility challenged.

The worst-case scenario is when the elderly who have lead active lives are reduced to being dependents on others to meet their daily needs. The civic authorities have failed to provide the burgeoning grey population their right to live with dignity and independence that they cherished and fought for all their active lives.

More and more people today are being alienated by the sheer inability of the so-called able bodied, who take their bodies for granted.

What is needed is the integration of this section of the society in mainstream as we accept those with minor functional drawbacks. In fact we donft even consider the latter hindrances as we are used to having them around all the time.

First and foremost, we should integrate children in primary schools with children having locomotive disabilities and vice versa, depending upon the severity of hearing and vision impairment.

As these children will learn to interact with one another on a daily basis, the challenged children will no longer remain an object of curiosity and a two-way integration process will set in.

We all lay the blame at the governmentfs and societyfs doorstep without sparing a thought about who constitutes this society. Itfs all of us together, who should initiate this process of much desired change.

Sminu Jindal, MD, Jindal SAW, is also founder of Svayam- An initiative to make India accessible. 


Source:www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=157615

Top


Mughal Gardens open for visually impaired

New Delhi, Mar 21: The famed Mughal Gardens at the Presidential Palace opened to visually impaired on Wednesday, a day earmarked for them for a specially designed tour.The gardens, which have over a million seedlings, are opened to public only for a month between February and March every year.

President A P J Abdul Kalam facilitated the tour with a section earmarked for the visually disabled with complete sensory experience, save the sight.

"It feels really great to be amongst the nature, plants and trees. It teaches us a lot. We learn that if we keep plants in the house, it cleans the atmosphere and spreads freshness," said Ramdev, a visually impaired visitor.

Guided by the personnel from President's office and by pathways cobbled in a specific manner to enable self-navigation, the visitors could read from the plaques in Braille that stood alongside the plants.

"I liked the 'awla' (the Indian gooseberry) or rather the guava tree, a lot. There were these notes on the tree's peculiarities and qualities, which were published alongside in Braille. That made it very convenient. We could touch and learn," said Mithilesh, a school student.

Kalam has commissioned this section in 2004, to aid education to the blind who wish to experience trees up close.

"It has been carefully thought out, as to how we can aid their learning process. When they arrive here, an audio aid explains that they must feel free to experience the trip using touch, smell and even their tasting senses. For that purpose we have plants here that are safe to eat or taste. All this is so that they have the maximum benefit of the trip, despite the visual handicap," said Brahm Singh, Officer on Special Duty in President's office.

The Mughal Gardens boast of the finest varieties of roses in the country besides other flowers, which are maintained with the utmost care and thought.

The gardens also have a network of fountains and water ponds created in the Mughal style of gardening.

The main attraction this year is the opening of the Spiritual Garden, which house trees and shrubs of religious sanctity to different faiths.

Important medicinal and aromatic plants depicting their use can be seen in the educational-cum-conservation Herbal Garden.

A special attraction has been the plant Jatropha, which is known to be helpful in creating bio-diesel, an alternative fuel.

Stevia, which provides safe sugar for diabetics and various other Ayurvedic herbs mentioned in ancient Indian medicinal science texts are the other attractions.

The architect Edward Lutyens designed the Garden during the British colonial rule during the tenure of Governor General Lord Harding. /p> 

Source:http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php

Top


Free computer education for hearing-impaired

Chandigarh, March 20: Free coaching in painting and computer education would be provided to the hearing impaired students. This was announced by chairman of Desh Bhagat group of Institutes Dr Zora Singh, at eRendezvous with Deaf and Dumb childrenf organised at Desh Bhagat Institute of Management and Computer Sciences.

Gobindgarh council chief Jagmeet Singh Sahota was the chief guest and the key note speaker. Dr Zora Singh and director of the institute Shalini Gupta presided over the function. Principal of Mahant Ganga Puri Badhir Vidyayla, Khanna, Dharam Raj, spoke on the various problems faced by the deaf and dumb students. The children performed dance and skits on the occasion. Various competitions were held and the winners were awarded prizes. The results are: Quiz Competition: Sukhdev and Lalit Kumar; Krishan and Gurwinder Singh 


Source:http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php

Top


Outsourcing's Next Victims: Deaf People

Somebody has to write those subtitles that allow the hearing impaired to watch movies. Increasingly, that work is being outsourced to India--with some unintentionally hilarious consequences.

According to UPI, professional subtitlers in the UK are up in arms over the outsourcing of their jobs to low paid workers in India. They're also complaining that the trend is resulting in substandard work.

For example, in the movie My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Uma Thurman utters the line "We have a zero-tolerance policy for (sexual harassment)."

But as rendered by Indian workers, the line reads like it's from a Borat movie: "We hold the highest standards for sexual harassment by foreign workers."

It reminds me of the time I watched the movie Airplane in a French language theater in Montreal. One particularly graphic scene in the film shows human, uh, waste, hitting a fan.

I was the only one laughing at this rather obvious sight gag because it represented an English expression for which there is no equivalent in French.

The point is, translations that don't take into account cultural differences in order to accurately convey not just words, but meanings, are bound to fail.

And it's why the outsourcing of technical work to India has a higher success rate than the outsourcing of less black and white functions that require subjective judgments.

The correct way to write computer code is universal. The way to appropriately deal with a customer who's just taken delivery of a PC that's DOA is not.

Prediction: business functions that require knowledge of local customs and idioms will increasingly be seen as poor candidates for outsourcing.

At the same time, an increasing amount of technical work--anything to do with the universal languages of math, science and engineering--will continue to head offshore. 


Source:www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2007/03/

Top


New Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses to hit the road by September-end


Corporation will procure 500 new buses for now.
`Manufacturer has to take care of the maintenance till 7.5-lakh km journey' New buses will give the drivers a better view of the traffic on the road

NEW DELHI: Kicking off a proposed plan for replacement of the Delhi Transport Corporation bus fleet, the first batch of sleek, low-floor, rear-engine buses will begin plying on the Capital's roads by September-end.

With Tata winning the bid at Rs. 41 lakh a bus in the second tender floated for the purchase of buses, the DTC, according to sources, has saved about Rs. 7 lakh per bus.

In the first tender floated in February 2006 that was subsequently cancelled, the lowest bid was quoted at Rs. 48 lakh a bus. The DTC will procure 500 buses for now.

The loss-making DTC will also save money on maintenance of the new fleet as according to the tender document the vehicle manufacturer has to take care of the maintenance of the vehicle till 7.5-lakh km journey.

The bidders for the first tender -- Tatas, Ashok Leyland and the Chinese company Xiaman Kinglong -- vied for the project this time too.

He introduction of the fleet of low-floor disabled-friendly non-air conditioned buses is part of many measures taken by the Delhi Government to encourage people to use the public transport system, reduce traffic congestion on the roads and bring down accidents.

According to the tender document, in these low-floor buses the height of the driver's seat from the road would be less. This will give the drivers a better view of the traffic on the road and probably prevent accidents.

Other additional features include the engine on the rear side that will ensure less noise and heating both for the passengers and the drivers. The pneumatic entry doors will be on the front and the middle. The low floors of the bus will be of the same height as the pavement making it easier for the aged and the disabled to board the bus. To make access for wheelchairs easier the vehicles will kneel a little and also have ramps that could be unfolded. The buses will also have tubeless tyres and air suspension to ensure smooth rides.

Further, if the old buses were bodies mounted on chassis, the new fleet will be "mono-cock bodies" -- a quantum leap in technology -- that will cause less vibration and give the buses a sleek look. About 200 of these new buses will be plying on the Capital's roads by the end of the 2007-08 financial year, while the entire fleet will be replaced by 2010. 


Source:The Hindu, 20th March 2007

Top


Do not charge money from the disabled person: Delhi High Court


NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Airports Authority of India and public and private airlines not to charge money from disabled passengers for helping them board or disembark from aircraft through the specially designed lift.

A Division Bench of the Court comprising Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice Hima Kohli directed AAI and airline companies to refund the money charged by them for providing the service. The airlines and AAI charge Rs. 800 each from such passengers for the service.

The Bench directed all authorities, including AAI, MCD , NDMCand Indian Railways to inform what measures they had taken in the past two years to make their facilities friendly to the disabled persons. 


Source:The Hindu, 17th March 2007

Top



North Eastern Railway (NER) to become more disabled-friendly


LUCKNOW: North Eastern Railway (NER), for its Lucknow division is all set to introduce some measures to ease things for disabled people. "Railway is quite sensitive on this matter and we provide lot of convenience for such people. If there is a problem we would ensure it gets removed. Besides, in the next two-three months we would bring in some new facilities. We have talked to disabled-groups and come up with Indian standards for such facilities", said Ashima Singh, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), NER.

Some of the common problems that are put forward by this section of people are no preference to allot a lower berth, this when there are instructions that lower berths be issued to people who are physically challenged.

Compounding the grievances is the apathy of the staff, "Booking clerks themselves are not aware of the rules and enquire so much that it becomes difficult to satisfy them. Once I tried to make payment through credit card and they said that credit card can not be used for concessional tickets", says a complainant. As per railway's version, credit cards can be used for buying concessional tickets.

Another complainant narrates her ordeal, "Movement within the station itself is a problem. Coolie would charge you some Rs 100 to 150 for a wheelchair and that too he is in hurry to drop you even before the train arrives at the platform. To wait, he wants extra money else would leave you in lurch."

While there are many facilities that should be there, those that exist are often misused. Seats in disabled-coaches are "sold" to general passengers by the staff. And when someone tries to question those doing all this, the reply is again a question - "how much space do you need for yourself?"

Some of the other common complains are - non-accessibility of the booking counters, no ramps at stations and reservation centres, no separate/lower window, unwillingness to give concession in higher classes and no guiding path or warning strips for the blinds.

To facilitate things, Lucknow junction station would soon have in place a folding ramp at the entry of disabled-coach, electronic boards to display the coach number for those with hearing impairment, announcements for blind and chequered tiles at the corner of the disabled coach. "Pushpak express was the first train to have a disabled- coach. Apart from that 60 per cent of our trains are disabled-friendly", Singh said. 

Source:The Times of India

Top



Delhi University to set up resource centre for disabled people


New Delhi, March 11 (PTI): In an effort to be more inclusive, Delhi University is setting up a special resource centre for disabled students.

The University plans to restructure its Graphic Arts Centre in the North Campus into a resource centre for the disabled people.

"If everything goes as planned, the resource centre for students with special needs will be ready by next year," University Librarian Suprabhat Mazumdar said.

The North Campus of the university already has a Braille library, but the ambition of the academic committee of the varsity is to provide equal facilities and opportunities to all the students, he said.

"The Braille library is a solution only for visually-impaired students, but our aim is to help students with other special needs as well. They must also have access to the world of information that is available beyond books. We want to help them explore opportunities through the Internet," he said.

The University plans to buy special softwares and audio-visual aids, including specially-designed keyboards that will facilitate the use of computers by students with special abilities. 

 Source:The Hindu

Top



Government to revise pension of disabled people


Kerala Health and Social Welfare Minister P K Sreemathy on Tuesday informed the assembly that the government planned to increase the pension for widows and physically challenged persons. Replying to submission, she said guideliness would be modified in such a manner that a widow with male children would also be made eligible for getting the assistance.

The existing monthly pension amount of Rs110 for widows and Rs 140 for the physically challenged persons also would be revised, she said.

State Food and Civil Supplies C Divakaran said the LDF Government was committed to protecting the interest of farmers who had settled in hill areas prior to 1977 and at the same time would deal with encroachers who had occupied land illegally.

The government would file an affidavit in the Supreme Court in the Cardomom Hill Reserve case by considering both the interest of farmers and state, he said.

Replying on behalf of Revenue Minister K P Rajendran, Divakran said a special team had been constituted to detect illegal occupation of government lands. It had also come to the government's notice that some resort owners had occupied government lands in the name of tourism, he said. 

Source:PTI

Top



For the disabled people, its more than just Board exam


Vadodara, March 13: Just like other normal students, hundreds of physically and mental disability students appearing for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination across the state are also taking on the first major hurdle in their academic career. The difference is that for them, the tension of exams is coupled with a desire to overcome their mobility or intellectuall disabilities. Steadfast support from parents and their schools have instilled in these students the spirit to do something unique and prove themselves.

Each year, around 3,000 such students in the state appear for board examinations, and the number has remained steady for the last thee years, said joint secretary and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) Exam Wing, Y M Vyas.

This year’s SSC examination will see a total of 2,878 students either with some mobility or intellectual disability from across the state. This includes 533 students with visual impairment (VI), 154 intellectual disabled, 147 hearing impaired and 2,049 mobility students. Incidentally, there is a sizeable presence of such candidates from tribal districts like Godhra, Dahod and Dangs.

Special arrangements are being made for intellectual and physically disabled candidates across the state. Schools for students who are either visually impaired, hearing or speech impaired or suffering from some other disability are made special centres for only disabled students. For those disabled students who are appearing for exams in regular schools, seating arrangements have been made on the ground floor.

Also, such students need to score only 20 marks as standard passing mark instead of the regular 35 marks criteria. Also, these students get extra time of 30 minutes to finish the paper, said Vyas.

Depending on the nature of their impairment, visually-impaired and mobility impaired students are also given help in the form of translators and writers.

Darshan Mody, an 18 year-old student from Urmi School of Vadodara, who is intellectual disabled, is one such student is daring to overcome his handicap.

His mother, Bhavna Mody, said, “My son has improved a lot after he was allowed to sit with normal students in the classroom. Even his IQ level is far better than what it was few years.E

Urmi School principal Radhika Nair said, “We make special papers for them even during internal examinations and a child psychologist at school counsels them regularly.EEven normal children are being sensitised in order to create wider acceptance for such special students in classrooms and at other events as well, said Nair. 

 Source: Express News Line

Top



Spotlight on employment rights of women with disabilities


NEW DELHI: A four-day national seminar on "Employment rights of disabled women in India" jointly organised by the Society for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies (SDRS) and the Social Action and Research Foundation (SARF) at Indian Spinal Injuries Centre ended here over the weekend.

In his concluding remarks, Indira Gandhi National Open University Director P. R. Ramanujam underlined the need to bridge the gap in policy making and implementation process in the disability sector. SDRS activist Sameera Shamim provided an encapsulated view of the organisation's social development activities.

Chairman of the Working Group on Disability for the 11th Five Year Plan G. N. Karna emphasised the need for an intellectual revolution in the country to promote a positive outlook towards the problems of the disabled. Dr. Karna expressed hope that the suggestions made to the Union Government for the welfare of the disabled would be accepted and implemented soon.

Some of the major suggestions include creation of a separate Ministry for Disability Affairs, a National Commission on Disability, making all railway stations disabled-friendly by 2012, promoting disability studies in universities, colleges and schools and scholarships for disabled students.

Social activists working in the disability sector and experts presented papers on different aspects of empowerment of disabled women. 

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/14/stories

Top



NHFDC Loan scheme for Disabled People


KANCHEEPURAM: The National Handicapped Development Finance Corporation, functioning under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has announced a loan scheme with subsidised interest rates for differently abled persons.

According to a release from the district Public Relations Officer, the eligible persons could avail of loans ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh for setting up micro ventures, trading and farming activities.

Loans would also be provided for purchase of agricultural implements, irrigation systems and buying vehicles for business purposes. The rate of interest would range from five to eight percent.

As many as 100 handicapped persons in Kancheepuram district had been targeted for disbursal of the loan, the release said.

Application forms for the loans could be obtained from the District Rehabilitation Office at Chengalpattu, free of cost. The filled applications should be forwarded to the same office on or before March 3, 2007.

The eligible can avail of loans ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Thursday March 15 2007 

Source:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems

Top



Foundation for Prevention of Disability launched


It will work to create awareness about disabilities ANOTHER FACILITY: Special children at the launch of the Foundation for Prevention of Disability, at Spastics Society of Karnataka Campus, in Bangalore on Monday. EPhoto: K. Murali Kumar

Bangalore: In an endeavour to create awareness about various forms of disabilities, the Foundation for Prevention of Disability was launched in partnership with the Spastics Society of Karnataka on its premises here on Monday.

The foundation was inaugurated by P. Balram, Director of the Indian Institute of Science.

"Science is yet to find an answer to the causes for many of the disabilities. There is still only a little information on some of them," Prof. Balram said.

According to S.P. Acharya, founder-trustee of the foundation, the objectives of the institution were early detection and prevention of disabilities and to help in their correction. The foundation would also endeavour to liaison with the Government and give information on disabilities so that policies formulated would be disabled-friendly.

The foundation has also formed a scientific advisory committee, which includes faculty from the St. John's Academy of Health Sciences as well as from the Institute of Social and Economic Change.

He added that the foundation planned to offer subsidised thyroid tests in collaboration with a hospital and would also hold a camp in May to counsel pregnant woman on care during pregnancy to prevent developmental disabilities.

A manual by the foundation on prevention and early treatment of disabilities as well as books on genetic counselling, consanguinity and Down's Syndrome were released on the occasion.

Mathoor Krishnamurthi, Executive Director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, was present on the occasion. 

Source:http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/13/stories

Top



Governor of Himachal Pradesh honours disabled students


V S Kokje, Governor of Himachal Pradesh, with disabled children after honouring them for their achievements in a programme organised by Society for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies (SDRS) in Shimla. H K Sharma, CMD of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam and Ajai Srivastava, Chairman of SDRS, HP are also seen in the picture.

Shimla: Fifteen differently-abled individuals, five intellectual disabled and 10 visually impaired students were honoured by the Himachal chapter of Society for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies (SDRS), in a state level workshop organised here on March 10.

These students were honoured for their special achievements in the arena of sports as they had represented Himachal and won accolades in Special Olympics Bharat, and various national and international sports events respectively.

The honour included a cash award of Rs 1000 and a certificate of honour. This event was a unique and a rare occasion in the history of the state as such an endeavour to honour differently abled individuals has never taken place in the state. According to Ajai Srivastava, Chairman, SDRS, Himachal chapter, who has been running a crusade for the rights of disabled in Himachal “the cash amount is not a big thing, this is an attempt to encourage disabled individuals, and provide a social recognition for their achievements. This is about adopting a new perspective on defining the success of these individuals.E

Srivastava further elucidated that though Himachal has earned a reputation of being a high literate state, and has progressed in sectors of health, horticulture, and agriculture and is considered as one of the better off states, but the disability sector remains grossly neglected here. He lamented the lack of “an empowered disability movement and a momentum in HimachalEand in a very candid manner uncovered issues like government apathy in implementing the Persons with Disability (PWD) Act, in Himachal. He discerned that though there is provision for State Disability Policy, but concrete efforts are not being taken in this regardE

The workshop was organised by SDRS Himachal with support from Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), ZCC North Zone on the issue of Human Development in Disability sector. V S Kokje, the governor of the state inaugurated the workshop. A souvenir of SDRS on the thematic issue was also released by Kokje to mark the occasion.

The governor expressed a need for awareness on the issue of disability, especially amongst the representatives of the people and highlighted the need of a state policy in context of disability. He further opined that Himachal Pradesh has a conducive and a very supportive environment for social justice related issues. However what is required is just a coordinated effort by the society itself as disability is a problem of society at large and needs to be solved at the grassroots level. There is a need to instil confidence amongst disabled individuals and provide basic training at the family levels of disabled persons. Kokje congratulated all the students for their achievements.

Jamyang, a Buddhist monk was also honoured on this occasion for his efforts - he has been working towards betterment of deprived sections of society in Churan Khud of Dharamshala.

Speaking on the occasion, H K Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVNL), in a very supportive gesture expressed his concern towards disability related issues. Sharma elucidated that SJVNL, has been successfully running big hydroelectric ventures like Nathpa Jhakri project in Himachal and they have been strictly following the norm of 3% reservation for disabled people in the projects. He assured to continue to provide support and employment opportunities for the disabled people in Himachal.

Dr. Hemlata, Project Director, RCI; Sara Johnson, Chairperson, RCI , ZCC, North Zone, Ludhiana; representatives of various NGOs working in the disability and other sectors in Himachal, various government officials, parents of disabled persons, disabled individuals and scholars from different streams participated in the workshop. Dr. Hemlata and Sara Johnson appraised the gathering about the work of RCI, its numerous programs and about its activities in the northern zone respectively.

Different issues related to disability were discussed in the workshop. The issues that surfaced very prominently in the discusssions and to which all the participants agreed in unison were that there was a need for authentic database, extensive composite documents regarding disability in Himachal. While reflecting upon the status of disability in Himachal Pradesh, Srivastava highlighted that there was a huge variation in statistics on disability status, released by Census 2001 and surveys conducted by government of Himachal Pradesh.

A database needs to be created comprising district wise information about the age groups, employment status, the kinds of disability, of the disabled in Himachal for proper planning and implementation of disability related issues. The education facilities for disabled in Himachal remain grossly inadequate. There is wide hiatus between figures of literacy rates of the state i.e. 76.5% and literacy rates of the disabled in Himachal, which stands just 52%.

Other issues highlighted were that there has been a lack of discussion on issue of disability in legislative assembly of the state and there has been an utter lack of sensitivity amongst representatives of people on issues of disability. It was further proposed to hold workshops for various governments departments and for representatives of people to apprise and sensitize them about issues of disability in Himachal.

Shobhu Ram, a visually challenged individual who has been waging a long agitation in Himachal for the rights of visually impaired persons expressed his anguish at the gross indifference of the government departments related to disability issues.

It further discerned in the workshop that SDRS Himachal has instituted two awards in the centenary year of Satyagrah as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. These awards are Mahatma Gandhi Awards for empowering the disabled. One award will be given to an individual or an NGO for outstanding work in the field of disability. The other award will go to one media person for his/her outstanding contribution in creating awareness with respect to disability in the state. These awards would be an annual feature. http://www.himvani.com/news/2007/03/11/ 

Source:http://www.himvani.com/news

Top



Hearing impairment among children is very common. How can teachers help?


A hearing impairment is a decrease in one's ability to hear (i.e. perceive auditory information). Deafness is the second most common disability and is largely invisible. Approximately three in every 1,000 children are born with it. Parents, teachers and the public need to have a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by these hearing impaired children in order to be able to handle them properly. Children may have different levels of hearing loss.

They may be classified as: Mild hearing loss; Moderate hearing loss; Severe hearing loss; Profound hearing loss.

Effects
Childhood hearing loss is very common. Even a very mild loss can affect how a student learns. Children spend at least 45 per cent of their day engaged in active listening activities. The maximum desirable noise level for children with normal hearing is 35 decibels (dB). With 25 students and one teacher, the noise level can reach from 55 to 75 dB. Children in the process of building their language base do not have the same linguistic experience as adults. It is only when children reach their teens that their speech recognition in difficult listening conditions comes close to that of an adult. Most children with losses begin to show considerable learning difficulties when they reach third grade. 

Source:
http://www.hindu.com/quest/200703/stories

Top



A.R. Rehman, music director, to tap talent amongst the disabled people


Two disabled vocalists are lucky to get an opportunity to sing with music director AR Rehman.

While Rehman has brought many new faces to the music, he is now keen to tap the musical talent of disabled persons.

It's an annual ability award that recognises the spirit of achievement by disabled people, but Rahman proved a point.

While his concert mesmerised the audience, the vocalists who accompanied him were two disabled artists. Rehman says he is now determined to tap the musical talent among the disabled.

"I think in India there are scores of such talented artists. I want to spot at least two such artists every year," said Rehman.

"The disability has not affected the motivation of the award winners," said M Karunanidhi, Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu.

For the award winners it was an opportunity to inspire other disabled people and to motivate them to dream beyond their personal triumph.

"There might be obstacles, but if we have the determination we can overcome all," said Anjali Arora, Ability Award Winner.

"Life is not counting on what we don't have but looking at what we have, " said Neha Bansal, Ability Award Winner.

The spirit of the award has a message for all that often disability is not in the body but in the mind. 

Source:http://www.ndtvmusic.com/story.asp?id=6120

Top



Two disabled people protest for work


Jamshedpur, March 1: Two Mobility Impaired persons today started an indefinite dharna in front of Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority (AIADA) office demanding job.

Holding placards, Satya Narayan Mishra and Prabhat Kumar squatted at the entrance of the AIADA office claiming that they had met the managing director of the AIADA last year for a job in private companies on the basis of their merit, but they were provided none.

Mishra has a degree of mechanical tracer, while Kumar is a diploma holder in fine arts from Jamshedpur School of Fine Art. For years, both of them ran from pillar to post to get a job in the private sector, but in vain. Tired, they have decided to stage an indefinite protest till the AIADA management arranged them jobs.

Kumar, speech and hearing impaired, expressed that it was better to die in front of AIADA officers than suffering everyday. “I am unable to feed my child. My parents are also dependent on me. I have no option but to squat on an indefinite dharna. If a job is not provided shortly, we have no choice but to commit suicide,EKumar wrote on a piece of paper.

The British Council has recognised Kumar’s painting, which was exhibited on the memories of childhood at the Queen’s Gallery in 1999.

“My painting was levelled as a reflection of rare sensitivity for the environment. But none of the academic institutions is in a favour of appointing me as a teacher. I know my limitations but I can communicate with the help of interpreters,EKumar claimed in writing.

Mishra, the other disabled person, has working experience of 12 years in TRF Limited as a tracer. But none of the private companies, said one of his aides, offered him a suitable job. “The company computerised its design engineering wing. So I was no more required. I had applied in several companies but none of them provided me a job,EMishra expressed with the help of an interpreter. 

Source:www.telegraphindia.com/1070302/asp/jamshedpur

Top



A school in Lucknow that helps integrate special children into mainstream education.


Visually-impaired Rajiv learnt not only to feed himself and wear his clothes but also to read the Braille. We were able to integrate 10 children in our first year.

There were celebrations in Shakeel Ahmed's house when his daughter Sadia was born. But 10 days after her birth, Ahmed realised that his beautiful daughter could not hear.

Thinking that Sadia would never be able to communicate, Ahmed did not even consider sending her to school. Hope bloomed in his heart five years later when he heard about Bachpan, a new school that admitted children with hearing deficiency.

"Bachpan was born because we felt challenged children had the right to school just like other children. We also wanted the parents of these children to start believing that being different did not mean they had no future," says Sushil Kumar, Director, Handicapped Welfare Department, Uttar Pradesh.

What makes Bachpan unique is that it is the only pre-school programme in the State that admits visually-impaired, hearing-impaired and mentally- challenged children in the age-group of 3-7 years. Run under the aegis of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan since October 2004, this school provides free audiometry, speech therapy, physiotherapy, and the requisite aids and appliances that facilitate integration of these children into mainstream schools.

Specially trained teachers use yoga, games and even music to help these children develop sensory and life-skills required in their daily lives.

The school considers counselling of parents and siblings an important component of its programme. Its counsellors and psychologists hold regular meetings to sensitise parents on the importance of their continuing support and maintenance of discipline at home.

Since a majority of its students are from economically backward families, Bachpan, located in Lucknow, also provides free transportation.

"When Divyansh came to our school, he was unable to speak clearly although he was four years old. Being autistic, his concentration levels and discipline were not very good. But in two years his vocabulary and motor skills improved tremendously. This positive development led us to believe that he could be integrated into a normal school. Divyansh is now in Study Hall, a popular school in Lucknow," says Vijay Lakshmi Misra, Chief Coordinator, Bachpan.

She says that Sadia too has gained admission in a reputed public school. "Visually-impaired Rajiv learnt not only to feed himself and wear his clothes but also to read the Braille. We were able to integrate 10 children in our first year," she adds.

As news of Bachpan's success spread, the number of admissions began to increase. Beginning with 30 students in 2004, the number more than doubled to 64 in the next academic year.

Bachpan has now branched out to seven more districts in the State, and is also considering expansion of its existing centre in Lucknow.

"My elder son Talah, who was hearing impaired, studied here for two years. I saw the positive changes in him. Had he not studied here, I would never have dreamt of sending him to Kidland School, a popular private school. This is why when my younger son also had a hearing deficiency, I didn't think twice before bringing him to Bachpan," says Mukhtarullah. 

Source:www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2007/03/02/stories

Top



IIM-A takes initiative for disabled-friendly campus


Ahmedabad, March 1: Educational institutes in the city are slowly gearing up to get disabled-friendly. With the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) taking the initiative in this direction, a few more institutes are working towards a campus makeover so that its easily accessible to both people with disability and difficulty.

A group of architects and NGOs, collectively called Access Group, will submit an Access Audit Report to IIM-A, after a three-day survey of its campus. The institute will then make changes in its existing design to make the campus easily accessible to the disabled, old and pregnant ladies, and all those with other difficulties.

Most buildings and spaces around us are not accessible to people with disability or difficulty of any kind. They constitute no less than 20 per cent of the total population. There is a government regulation to make public utility and funding buildings accessible to all, but ironically not a single such building exists in the city,’’ said Yatin Pandya, an architect associated with Vastu Shilp Foundation, which is a part of the Access Group.

Handicap International, Unnati, and Blinds People Association are some other organisations that are associated with the Group. It IIM we will study several facets of the campus like parking space, academic block, toilets, domes, library, lecture hall, auditorium, Management Development Centre and even the canteen. Even a part of the new campus, post office and bank, situated inside the campus, becomes part of our study,’’ said Pandya.

Several educational institutes including CEPT University has approached the Group for the same purpose. we have prepared a detailed Technical Manual for removing physical impediments with a scientific approach. Several architects have been roped in. Many architects have built their offices that are barrier free and designs they are suggesting to their clients, have this aspect. Even the Sabarmati Riverfront Development project has taken this in account, said Arindham Mitra, another member of the Access Group.

Earlier, the Group had conducted a similar study for SPIPA, Law Garden and the Office of the Commissioner of Disabilities at Gandhinagar. Some private medical shops and banks are also going in for a makeover. accessible toilets, better signages, parking system for the differently-abled and a ramp from approach road to the footpath are some of the developments done at the Law Garden. Also there are accessible ground floor and two hostel rooms, Mitra further added.

Some of the features of a disabled-friendly building include a signage at a distant to suggest ways in, navigable path, with no cattle trap and without being slippery, parking closest to the entry, floor with tactile clues to suggest ways, signs of warning for impediments, and high- contrast colour band at each step. Also, doors and windows with facility to open at the two sides, low counters, toilets with wide passages and grab bar are some other features of such a buildin. 

Source:http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=224763

Top



Over two-crore disabled persons in India


New Delhi, March. 5 (PTI): There are over two-crore disabled persons in the country as per the 2001 census, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment informed the Rajya Sabha today.

In a written reply, Subbulakshmi Jagdeesan said that as per the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, three per cent reservation is provided for this section of people. Regarding vacancies in government establishments, she said one per cent each is to be reserved for persons suffering from blindness or low vision, hearing impairment, and cerebral palsy. She said in the Union Budget 2007-08, a scheme for employment for the physically challenged in the organised sector has been proposed.

In reply to another question, Jagdeesan said her ministry has directed state governments and Union Territories to consider increase in the incentive amount for inter-caste weddings as such marriages are an effective instrument in combating the evil practice of casteism. 

 Source:http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php

Top



Projects planned for welfare of persons with disabilities


T'PURAM: The Kerala State Handicapped Peoples Welfare Corporation will implement rehabilitation projects for the handicapped at the grama, block and district panchayat levels with the help of Central Government.

Corporation chairman Uzhavur Vijayan and managing director Philip Jackson Bivera said here on Tuesday that the projects aimed at providing education, employment and treatment facilities to the physically handicapped would be implemented in Kasargod, Palakkad and Kollam districts in the first phase and would later be extended to the whole state.

Awards will be instituted for the best special school, voluntary organisation and special school teacher. The awards will be distributed on December 3 on the occasion of the World Handicapped Peoples Day. 

Source:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems

Top



Engineering students design vehicle for the physically impaired


CHENNAI: It all sparked off during a bus ride as six students of Velammal Engineering College got chatting about an upcoming contest.

Velammal Engineering College students with their prize winning two-seat, four-wheeled vehicle. By the time the ride ended, the group of students had hatched the idea of a pocket-friendly vehicle for the physically challenged people. They would make the contraption ready in 15 days.

Six second year engineering students of different streams put their heads together to design the two-seater vehicle that is completely hand operated. The four-wheeler secured second place at a national contest `Innohap' hosted by SRM Institute, Kattankulathur and SAE India in February.

`Vulcan Scrapo'- just as its name suggests, the vehicle was built with scrap materials.

The students vied with 18 teams from across the nation, including those from Visakhapatnam.

The car underwent a series of tests such as acceleration and steering control tests.

S.S.Ayyappan, one of the team members, said the accelerator and brakes have been placed in such a way to facilitate a smooth drive for physically impaired people. "We built the vehicle at an affordable cost of about Rs. 20,000," he said.

Besides being eco-friendly, the vehicle also conserves fuel with a mileage of 31 km a litre, said K.Prasanna Venkatesan.

The college provided them a reward of Rs. 20,000 apart from the prize money.

G. Pradeep Sekar, U.S.B. Jithendra, B.Christopher Jenkins and S.Arvind are the other team members. 

Source:http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/06/stories

Top


Back to top