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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 – March 2008 Issue



75% disabled women are abuse victims

KOLKATA, March 25: Seventy–five per cent of disabled women in the country experience sexual abuse and exploitation, according to a baseline survey report, released by the Association for Women with Disabilities (AWWD).

The report, which was prepared on the basis of the condition of women with disabilities in West Bengal, Orissa, Assam, Bihar and Jharkhand.

Ms Kuhu Das, director of AWWD, highlighted the fact that disabled women in Bengal are lagging behind due to lack of education, employment, poverty etc.

"Women with disabilities are largely deprived of social, political, economic and health opportunities in our country. They are hardly benefited from nation–wide women's empowerment programmes," added Ms Das.

A seven–day Regional Leadership Training programme for women with disabilities began yesterday. Mr Justice Shyamal Sen, chairman of West Bengal Human Rights commission, said: " Without empowerment of disabled women, our nation can't be progress."

Source: http://www.thestatesman.net

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Disabled persons blame government for ignoring them

Srinagar, March 25: While the state government has recently approved creation of 6711 additional Anganwari centers in the state and 13,422 posts of Anganwari workers, disabled persons blame the government for ignoring them.

"The government is serious about the scheduled tribe and schedule caste but does not consider us as weaker part of the society; I hardly managed to complete my 11th exam after that I could not continue my studies as I have not such sources" Rafeeqa Gani, handicapped by both legs told etala'at.

"Government is caring for qualified unemployed youth but what are their policies about the qualified unemployed challenged youth. We were hopeful that government will declare a special reservation for handicapped persons in all departments where vacancies are available but our hopes were dashed in to the ground" Sona– u–llah a PG student at University of Kashmir told etala'at.

Ajaz Ahmed of Gadoora Ganderbal, lost his right arm while working as casual labour in PHE Mechanical Department last year. "I have been shunted out and now I am seeking cooperation from the concerned department to adjust me but no body seems to be cooperative," Ahmad said.

When contacted Director Social Welfare , Mohd Abbas said, there is already 3 per cent reservation for the qualified handicapped persons in the government jobs.

"It depends upon the requirement, there are so many departments where a physically disabled person is not required for the job" Abbas said.

Abbas denied that the problems of the qualified disabled persons were ignored by the department.

However, he added, "There isn't any special compensation for those employees who have become handicapped during duties in government departments."

Source: http://www.etalaat.net

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HC lifts stay on recruitment of teachers in DU

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday lifted a stay on recruitment of teachers in University of Delhi (DU) and two of its colleges after they informed the court that they have given three per cent seats to disabled candidates.

A Bench comprising Justice T S Thakur and Justice Siddharth Mridul, however, refused to lift the stay imposed on recruitment of teachers in 60 other colleges which have not implemented the Disability Act yet.

The stay was slapped in a year back while hearing a PIL seeking a implementation of the law on quota for disabled candidates for teaching posts.

With today's Court direction, 20 out of 80 colleges of the University have been allowed to recruit fresh teaching staff.

The court, on April 4, 2007, had restrained the University of Delhi and all its affiliated colleges, which failed to provide three per cent reservation for disabled candidates in the teaching department, from recruiting faculty members.

In the subsequent orders, the Court had allowed 18 colleges to go ahead with recruitments as they had inducted physically disabled teachers in their faculties in accordance with the Disability Act.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200803261864.htm

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Student's courage outwits disability

Chennai, March 25 It's a clear case of mind over matter and lesson in human courage and spirit. Sixteen–year–old K Janarthanan lost his two hands and the left leg, which were amputated after an electric shock, eight years ago. But his determination and courage did not dwindle as he sat for the tenth standard State Board Examinations today, using his mouth to steer the pen in a private school.

As a special gesture, the school management, allotted him an extra time of one hour to enable him to complete the exam. His physical disability did not deter him from pursuing his studies as he developed the courage and mastered the art of writing by holding the pen in his mouth. He also started learning painting through this way that won him several awards at the state level and national level.

He had received the National Best Creative Child Award in 2004 and Bal Shree Award the same year from the then President A P J Abdul Kalam.

Janarthanan, a living example for those suffering from disability, has learnt to operate computers and is now mastering the art of playing keyboard.

Janarthanan attributed his success to the encouragement given by his parents.

Source: http://www.chennaionline.com

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People must sensitize themselves to the needs of disabled people: Ambika Soni

New Delhi, Mar 19: Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni today said that any proposal for inclusion of disability studies in academic discipline should be supported as it will create an awareness in society about the needs and rights of disabled people.

Inaugurating a three–day National Congress on Disability Studies in Secondary and Higher Education in India here, Soni said: Attitude has to be changed towards the physically disabled persons as they are challenged in a limited sense only and can do wonders in other areas of their expertise or interests.

People at work place, society and in the country as a whole must be sensitized about the needs of disabled people and their rights within the Constitutional framework, Soni added.

Referring to the socially and economically disadvantaged groups in the country, she said that we must work towards creating an inclusive society where every person would contribute to the growth and development of the country.

Public awareness campaign for creating such an inclusive growth is the need of the hour, she added.

She said the Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture is sensitive to the special needs of disabled people.

The Minister further added that all the world heritage sites are in the process of providing special facilities for such people.

Other important monuments will also be provided with facilities, which would improve access to these monuments to people with special needs. This would enable them to appreciate the heritage of this country in the same manner as other citizens, she said.

The Tourism Ministry is also encouraging the hotels and other tourism related infrastructure to be developed in a manner that people with special needs could also use them as effectively as others.

Source: http://www.thaindian.com

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Disabled friendly bus charts new path

Jaipur, 15 Mar: It looks like any other school bus but it makes a big difference to certain children.

The hydraulic lift system, which helps people with disabilities do what comes easy to most others, is what differentiates it from other buses.

But what's surprising is that while there are thousands of disabled people in Rajasthan, there were practically no facilities for them till this bus rolled around.

''Every time lifting the wheel chair, lifting the child it's really difficult and so often parents don't send their children for outings,'' said Bina Kak, Director, Center for Special Education.

And to make this bus even more special, artists from Jaipur are giving it a dash of colour.

''I have used bright colours to brighten their mood. When they travel or even look at it they should feel happy,'' said Rohini Mandawa, artist.

Naturally, thrilled with the prospect of more outings and excursions, these special children celebrate with an innocence that is uniquely their own.

''We can go for movies and picnics,'' said Ajay, disabled child.

Something as simple as stepping into a bus and going out for a visit to the zoo is something we take for granted, but it can be a Herculean task for these children.

The bus with a hydraulic life system will not only make that much easier it will also give these children access to a normal life and a normal childhood.

Source: http://www.ndtv.com

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India's first web portal for disabled people launched

New Delhi, March 12: Punarbhava.in, India's first interactive web portal for disabled people,was launched here Wednesday, along with a screen reading software that will enable visually impaired to use computers. An effort of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) and Media Lab Asia, a part of the communications and information technology ministry, the web portal and the software are aimed at enabling disabled people to get more connected to the rest of the world.

Employment opportunities, contact numbers of hospitals and health care centres, online courses, catalogued knowledge repository of audio–video and Braille files in Indian languages and books related to disability are some of the resources featured on the portal.

Punarbhava.in will also have a National Disability Register that will give statistical information about the disabled population in India.

The screen reading software, called Screen Access For All (SAFA), will help the visually impaired use the computer with ease.

"The software will work in such a way that a voice will read out the text on the computer screen in any Indian language that the user is comfortable in. One can also take dictation and write using this software" said Dipendera Monocha, a civil society member who works on various issues of physical disability.

Gauri, a visually impaired girl, gave a demonstration by taking down dictation in Hindi from the software's voice and typing with ease.

"In order to actually benefit the masses, it is important that the software is available in all Indian languages. That's why SAFA can be accessed through 12 Indian languages, besides English," said Meira Kumar, minister of social justice and empowerment, who was present at the launch.

Tamil, Bengali, Sanskrit, Hindicone can use the software in whichever language he or she wants, she said.

The software can be installed at a price between Rs.500 and Rs.2,000. "This software will enable visually impaired students, who used to otherwise answer their exams with the help of a reader and writer, write their own paper," Mauja said.

Kumar said her ministry was now working towards offering financial aid for NGOs working on issues of disability to get free access to Navshikhar, a channel for the disabled that was launched in October 2007.

A report on disability population in India, their employment and education ratio was also launched on the occasion.

Source: http://www.thaindian.com

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KFC handshake for hearing impaired

Thirty–seven boys and girls at the newly–opened Kolkata outlet have been trained to lip–read the customers' requests.

In a first of its kind initiative and available only in Kolkata, global fast food giant Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has set up its first outlet in Kolkata which would be managed by around 37 hearing impaired young boys and girls.

KFC has an outlet in Chennai where around 12 young and hearing impaired people manage only the kitchen.

But the recently inaugurated KFC outlet in Kolkata will be the first in the country where hearing–impaired young people will interact with customers, take orders, serve food on the table, clean the restaurant as well as manage the kitchen.

The KFC outlet in Kolkata also employs around eight normal people who can take orders on phone. They will also be of assistance, in case there are any communication problems with the hearing impaired colleagues while taking orders.

According to Unnat Varma, marketing director of KFC India, "We thought of employing the hearing impaired at KFC outlet as part of our corporate social responsibility. All our special employees at the Kolkata outlet are trained in lip–reading and sign language, so they can lip–read and take orders from customers. They have been extensively trained on how to take orders and understand customer preferences. Similarly, the other KFC employees also had to be trained in communicating with the hearing impaired."

"Globally, KFC's outlets in Singapore and Middle East employ hearing impaired at its restaurants, for kitchen as well as customer interaction levels," Varma said, without divulging how many hearing impaired are globally employed at its outlets.

For its Kolkata outlet, KFC joined hands with 'Silence', a Kolkata– based NGO to supply young hearing impaired boys and girls to manage the restaurant.

According to Subroto Majumdar of Silence, "We have been working with hearing impaired people since 1979. We advertise in newspapers and ask the hearing impaired to join us for employment. We also train them in finding employment elsewhere as we cannot accommodate everyone."

Silence accepts any hearing impaired person who has completed education up to class VIII.

Silence offers courses to them so that they can be employable.

A one–year art and craft course at Silence costs Rs 500, while a six– month computer education course costs Rs 288. Certificates are awarded by the Jadavpur University, one of the premier universities in Kolkata.

Silence currently employs 105 people, of which 90 are hearing impaired. " So far, we have employed women at our store in Kolkata which sells handicrafts. The yearly turnover of this store is Rs 1.5 crore. Our boys and girls have also got employed with ITC hotels for housekeeping jobs, with Pepsi and now with KFC," Majumdar said.

On an average, these hearing impaired boys and girls earn between Rs 2, 000 and Rs 3,000, in addition to one meal a day, provident fund and uniforms.

Majumdar added, "The hearing impaired in India don't get employment readily, no matter what the government claims. It is only companies like KFC, Pepsi, ITC, and others, who come forward and employ our students. Experience will reveal that most special employees are more committed to their jobs and more hardworking than the rest. Hopefully, more companies will follow suit."

Source: http://www.business–standard.com

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Disabled people rue inherently prejudiced job market

New Delhi, March 8: A unique job fair was recently held in the capital for people with special needs. Their search for an opportunity should have ended here, but it turned out to be the same old story.

''When I told one of the companies that I'm on a wheelchair, they point blank refused me. I feel very hurt by this,'' said Saurabh Dikshit, IT professional.

Big names like Microsoft, IBM and Accenture were part of this grand event.

Encouraged by the show of corporate social responsibility, a number of disabled candidates came to the job fair, but only a very small number managed to get jobs.

''Disabled people still face many barriers in all walks of life. And mostly these barriers are man–made and are due to people's attitude towards the disabled, as well as the lack of implementation of the law. Also there is no time frame for this implentation,'' said Jaishree, Founder, Ability Foundation.

Many companies say that they don't have the infrastructure to recruit candidates with special needs.

''We do realise that more needs to be done to make offices more disabled friendly and we're definitely working towards it,'' said Satpreet Singh, HR Manager, Microsoft.

This is the place where India's most talented special needs workforce came in the hopes of bagging that lucrative job offer.

But despite having the necessary qualifications and credentials, the common complaint voiced by many of them seems to be the prejudice and stigma still attached with being disabled.

With the government making tall claims of integrating special needs people within the workforce, the reality seems to be further from the truth.

But there was one voice that firmly said, that it's time to stop being victims.

''I would like to call on all the visually impaired people to get out of their homes and start interacting with people more, start going out more, just to show that we need to rise in order to show the world what we're capable of,'' said Ramandeep, software developer.

Source: http://www.ndtv.com

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SSA benefits still elude disabled people

SAMBALPUR: Even though the Sarva Sikhya Abhijan (SSA) ensures that all children with special needs, irrespective of the degree of disability, is provided meaningful and quality education, the objective is far from being achieved in Sambalpur district.

Reason: A lot of physically disabled children in the district continue to be deprived of aids and appliances making it difficult on their part to cope with life, let alone pursue education.

Sources in the district project office of Sarva Sikhya Abhiyan (SSA) said the disabled children under SSA have been provided with aids and appliances as per provision in the Integrated Education for Disabled (IED). From among the 3,678 disabled people in the 6–14 age group, 3,266 have been provided with education.

Out of the 3,266 disabled, 57 have been handed over tricycles, 76 received wheelchairs, 53 given crutches and 158 provided with hearing aids.

But things are different for several hearing impaired children who have not been provided with hearing aids and can hardly learn anything without them. These problems coupled with indifferent attitude of the project officials have left as many as 412 children with special needs (CWSN) out of school.

As a result, the so–called adoption of a zero rejection policy of SSA has been defeated. And till such time, the multi–model of educating CWSN is not implemented, the Universalisation of Elementary Education (UEE) under SSA will remain a far cry.

Source: http://www.newindpress.com

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Disabled Adults Suffer Heinous ill Treatment in Health Care Centers: New Study

The report presented by the Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights on the ill treatment faced by disabled adults in health centers hold compelling and shocking evidences of injustice faced by the adults with learning disabilities in health care centers.

Some of disabled people are inappropriately restrained with straps or a chemical costs. Most of them are denied treatment and subjected to cruel assaults. The committee warns that such incidents are shocking and shameful to Human Rights Act

MP Andrew Dismore, chair of the committee, said: "It is extremely depressing to see, 10 years after the introduction of the Human Rights Act, the way people with learning disabilities are treated when using our services. There is a real gap between the government's policy and everyday experiences."

"We were astonished at the lack of a clear government strategy to ensure they can understand their rights. We call on the government to do more. The task of securing the dignity and self–respect of this vulnerable group is the responsibility of us all." He added.

According to the committee, the ignorance of the adults with learning disability makes them more vulnerable to become the subjects of miscarriages of justice.

The Disability Equality Duty, the Disability Discrimination Act and the Human Rights Act, meant to protect their rights does not seem to meet the purpose mainly because of the weak monitoring from the part of the government and the local authorities.

The committee emphasized the importance of public duty and for a positive attitude change from the part of the government to put a stop to the high levels of discriminations faced by the disabled adults.

Source: http://www.medindia.net

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KFC lines up Rs 300–crore investment, to open 66 stores

KOLKATA, 6 Mar, 2008: KFC, the world's largest chicken restaurant brand, is targeting 100 quick–service restaurants in India by 2010–end. The $12– billion brand, which is owned by leading global restaurant company Yum! Brands, Inc that also owns other brands like Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, is present with 34 outlets across nine cities in the country.

"We plan to close 2008 with a total of 50 stores. Our business model is primarily a franchise one and the aggregate investment involved in this expansion will be Rs 200–300 crore," said KFC India marketing director Unnat Varma on Wednesday. He was speaking at the inauguration of KFC's new quick–service restaurant in Kolkata, which also happens to be the first in India to be manned entirely by hearing–impaired employees.

According to Mr Varma, over the next one to one–and–a–half years, expansion will mainly be in the metros and cities where KFC already has a presence. "We will subsequently be looking at tier–II and tier–III cities. In our business, a lot depends on the back–end, including the supply chain and vendors. We need to have the infrastructure in place before we move into these smaller cities," said Mr Varma.

While growth will be primarily franchise–driven, about 20% of the new restaurants will be company–owned. The new outlets will come up both in malls as well as in high–street locations. This apart, KFC will also be aggressively expanding its menu in India by rolling out some 10–15 products over the next two to three years.

Keeping Indian tastes and preferences in mind, it will have offerings suited to the Indian palate, low–cost items as well as a significant variety of vegetarian products. However, Mr Varma stressed that the brand would still be as global as it gets. "About 80% of our offerings here will be international while the rest will be especially for the Indian market," he said.

Commenting on the bird flu outbreak in the state, Mr Varma said sales in the East had been hit by about 10–15% during the period. "Arambagh Hatcheries is one of our two vendors in the country. We insisted on a certificate from them saying that their products are completely safe. And, of course, we stopped serving chicken during the ban," said Mr Varma.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

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Kanti rues Budget 'neglect' to disabled people

KOLKATA, March 4: Mr Kanti Ganguly, state minister for Sunderbans Development Affairs and general secretary of Pashim Banga Rajya Pratibandhi Sammilani rued the Congress–led UPA government did not offer any benefits to the disabled people in its Railway Budget.

No concessions were announced for either disabled people or their escorts while travelling in a local train. Mr Ganguly was speaking at the All India Congress of Rehabilitation Professionals 2008, which will serve as a platform to enlighten the state and Union government about the rights of disabled people that have been denied for so long. Making a policy for rehabilitation and development of disabled people will not serve the purpose. Rather the governments, non–government organisations and all political parties should make a rehabilitation and development program for persons with a disability as a part of their agenda, the minister said. Paschim Banga Rajya Pratibandhi Sammilani (PBRPS), an organisation with over one lakh members, will demonstrate for their fundamental rights. "Even after 60 years of independence, a section of the population is denied their basic rights. It is their right to be included in every sphere of life," said Mr Anisur Rahman, vice president of PBRPS.

The organisation will appeal to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on some issues including offering railway concession to physically disabled people and their escorts and assigning them in private sectors as employees, which remain untouched in the four–year tenure of the government. Realising the lack of resources, mayor of Kolkata Mr Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya, promised to assist their development and also urged the Centre to allocate funds in their budget for infrastructure development to make things more accessible for disabled people in society.

Source: http://www.thestatesman.net

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No takers for abandoned disabled boy

KOLKATA, March 4: Eight–year–old physically disabled Rakesh Ghosh has no family and no home for more than three months now.

He has been lying on the floor of Barasat Hospital in the hope that someday he will return home and someone from his family will take care of him. But, the hope has virtually turned into despair now. Rakesh's tragic tale began when he lost his mother on 13 November, 2007 and his father was arrested on charges of murdering her. The incident occurred at Rakesh's home at Berachampa near Deganga in North 24–Parganas. Some of Rakesh's close relatives were also arrested in connection with the murder and most of others are absconding, fearing arrest as their names also figure in the FIR lodged.

There was no one to take care of Rakesh and he was on the verge of starvation at home. Taking note of this, police sent Rakesh to the district hospital, more than two months ago, after some social workers intervened as the boy was left at home without food and drinking water for a few days. However, the hospital gave Rakesh a discharge certificate, just seven days after he was admitted, because doctors felt he was more in need of home care.

Since none of Rakesh's family members were at home, the hospital contacted some relatives from his maternal side, but they allegedly refused to take Rakesh home. With his health gradually on the decline, Rakesh didn't have any attendant at hospital simply because he was unable to pay them any money. He still lies on the floor of the hospital, neglected by all.

Social workers have alleged the state government should have sent him to a children's home. Mr Debasish Biswas, a local social worker has also filed an appeal with legal aid service. "After we appealed to the district judge, this boy was rescued by police and admitted to the hospital. But with no one to look after him, the state government ought to have taken proper care of him. But, we find he is not being properly treated at the hospital," Mr Biswas alleged. With no family to look after Rakesh, locals had come forward to help. They used to feed Rakesh during the days he spent alone at home. But, following constant police raid in his house, they backed out fearing police harassment. "One of Rakesh's maternal uncles came after the murder and took his elder sister along with him as there was nothing wrong with her physically. But, they shunned Rakesh. We saw that the boy was starving. We tried to help him, but everybody was afraid of police," said a local. District magistrate Mr P Mishra said he was not aware of the plight of the ailing boy and nobody had cared to inform him. He has promised to look into the matter.

Source: http://www.ft.com

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Rights panel notice after blind teacher 'ill–treated

KENDRAPADA, March 4: Expressing anguish over "shabby" and "contemptible" treatment meted out to a visually impaired man, Mr Ranjeet Ranjan Nayak, by governmental agencies, the state human rights commission has served show cause notice to the administration of this coastal district.

Earlier it was alleged that the authorities of a government–run primary school in a remote village had disallowed the visually impaired man from discharging teaching responsibilities on the ground that his physical deformity would come in the way communicating with students. The rights panel, taking note of a petition, asked the district Collector for the compliance of action–taken report to assuage the plight of blind school teacher, said official sources.

While the right to livelihood of disabled persons was being abused flagrantly, classroom teaching in the Telenga–Basanta nodal primary school under Diapada gram panchayat remained disrupted. The irate villagers led by village education committee had locked the school building to register protest against the posting of the blind man as the teacher in village school, the petition stated. The victim para– teacher, Mr Nayak from Pattamundai region was shaken as the schools and mass education department did not come to his rescue.

Mr Nayak was recruited as a para–teacher by the school and mass education department on 8 August 2007. One per cent of posts for para– teachers are reserved for visually impaired. But the blind man was prevented from discharging responsibilities of a teacher. The view was that a blind does not have the acumen and intellect to match the physically fit teachers, stated the petition.

Source: http://www.thestatesman.net

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NMC lends helping hand to disabled people

NAGPUR, 3 March: Krishna Kumbre's eyes shine with the mere anticipation of getting to play with his friends in the field.

This will be first time that Krishna will be able to do so in 10–years, thanks to the efforts of Nagpur Municipal Corporation's education department to provide him with a pair of calliper shoes free–of–cost.

The NMC recently donated callipers to 27 children, who were born disability, the additional municipal commissioner Atul Patne told TOI.

The education department distributed permanent disabled certificates and spectacles to disabled students under the ambitious Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan scheme of the Central Government at a small function held at Yeshwant Stadium, on Wednesday.

The education department also distributed permanent disabled certificates to 122 children. Besides, it also distributed spectacles to 72 children.

The callipers came as a big relief to Krishna's mother Rukma. "Krishna's legs are infected with the polio virus since birth. We could not provide him with crutches since we belong to a very poor family," she said.

An enthusiastic Krishna, a student of class three in Maharani Laksmibai primary school said after getting the calliper shoes he would not only participate in athletics, but also play cricket (his favourite game) with his friends.

Another beneficiary is Liladhar Moudekar. He lost his vision while bursting crackers during Diwali in 2006. His eyes could have been saved had he received instant treatment, said Vithoba, his father. "However, since we were short of money, he was deprived of the treatment. Recently, officials from NMC approached me through the corporation school and gave him a pair of spectacles."

Julie John, mother of a disabled girl got the permanent disabled certificate for her.

Meanwhile, the NMC has admitted 45 permanent disabled children in its schools in the city and people who would bring them to schools would get Rs 100 per month as a honourarium. In the second phase, the corporation would also provide commode to permanent disabled kids, informed additional municipal commissioner Atul Patne.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Govt to create 1 lakh jobs for disabled people

New Delhi, February 28: Government has approved incentive schemes for creating 1,00,000 employment opportunities a year for disabled persons in the private sector, the Lok Sabha was told on Thursday.

The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan informed the Parliament that ''The scheme envisages utilising the employer's contribution to Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees State Insurance (ESI) for providing employment for the first three years to persons with disabilities''. Detailing about the scheme she said, ''The benefit of the scheme is for the persons with monthly wage upto Rs 25,000.

The scheme covers all persons with disabilities defined under Disabilities Act, 1995 and National Trust for welfare of persons with Autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999.

In a separate question the Minister said, ''Regarding the processes started by the government for proper and adequate maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens, it is coming up with a scheme 'Integrated Programme for Older Persons' under which the financial assistance upto 90 per cent of the project cost is provided to the NGOs''.

''The NGOs are funded for establishing and maintaining old age homes, day care centers, mobile medicare units and non institutional services to older persons,'' added Jagadeesan.

Replying to another question on reservation to mentally disabled the Minister said, ''According to the existing provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, reservation in employment in Central and State government establishments is provided to persons with locomotor, visual and hearing disabilities only''.

''Reservation quota is not applicable on private sector companies. A new scheme to promote employment in private sector has been announced to cover persons with disabilities,'' she further informed.

Source: http://www.ndtv.com

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Workshop on learning disability held

Pune: Childern with learning disability problems, according to the Bombay High Court, can avail of the use of typewriters or writers to write their answer papers in the board examination," said Dr D S Karwa, associate professor, Department of Paediatrics, D Y Patil Medical College at a workshop on learning disability conducted on Sunday. B S Mane, registrar, Dr D Y Patil Medical College inaugurated the workshop.

Several experts like Dr. Kersi Chavda from Hinduja hospital, Dr Sunil Karande, associate professor, Department of Paediatrics, Lokmanya Tilak Medical College, Sion, Mumbai, MS Vaithilingam, M S Savita, and Analpa Paranjape from 'BOLD' shared their views on the occasion.

Various issues pertaining to learning disabilities like what is learning disability, its psycho–social aspects and its remedial measures were discussed. Karwa in his speech highlighted that the Bombay High court has passed an order in 2006 allowing these students to avail of some measures to help them pass the board examination.These students are allowed to use typewriter or writer to write their answer papers.

These students can be exempted from languages other than English. The mathematics syllabus can be one grade behind the class in which they are learning.

Source: http://www.expressindia.com

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Now, an arts college for hearing and speech impaired

Vadodara: In a first of its kind of teaching to the hearing and speech impaired people in India, the city–based Mook Dhwani Trust (MDT) inaugurated an arts college for them in the Karelibaug area of the city on Sunday morning.

MDT aims at encouraging education among the hearing and speech impaired in the country. Trust officials say the academic session will begin in June.

"Around Rs 30 lakh has been invested in building infrastructure of the MDT Arts College for hearing and speech impaired. At present, we are employing staff for the college where two interpreters will be appointed, " said Rikesh Desai, the MDT secretary, adding, "The college will have a capacity of around 30 students, which will be extended later according to requirements." He said MDT already had such primary, secondary and higher secondary schools. "We were encouraged by the state government to build an infrastructure for the hearing and speech impaired. The construction of MDT Arts College was completed within a span of six months," he added.

He further said MDT Art College is affiliated to the Gujarat University (GU), adding that there are certain formalities yet to be accomplished. Detailing on the process on admitting the students in the college, Desai said, "While we are employing our staff right now, before the beginning of the academic session, we would be publishing advertisements in various states of India about MDT Arts College which will be furnishing with around 30 seats for those interested."

Also present during the inaugural ceremony were Justice RR Tripathi from Gujarat High Court, Babu Nalawala, advisor to Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Vadodara city mayor Sunil Solanki.

Source: http://www.expressindia.com

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