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 – October 2008 Issue
- Facilities for disabled people lacking in J&K
- Government gets notice on job quota for disabled people
- Parliamentary panel laments government's laid back attitude on disabled people
- Committee recommends separate department to deal with disabled people
- Learning disability is manageable, but difficult to cure, says expert
- 'Skywalks must be disabled–friendly'
- Chidambaram asks industry to be disabled–friendly in job recruitment
- FM to ensure jobs to a lakh disabled people in six months
- Poster campaign calling for facilities for disabled people launched
- HC seeks new plan to help disabled kids in govt schools
- A special school prepares learning–disabled children to face the world through vocational training
- Special project for disabled people
- Dreams of the Disabled People on Canvas in Shimla
- A job fair with a difference to employ Disabled People
- Andhra Pradesh CM announces special section for training deaf student
- HC order on kids with 'disabilities'
- Court asks Delhi for report on school facilities for disabled people
Facilities for disabled people lacking in J&K
SRINAGAR, Oct 26: Constructing ramps at few places does not solve all
the problems of the disabled community. Disabled–friendly constructions
are vividly missing from the scene. Besides, the criteria of 40 percent
and above disability required for reservation is also questioned by many.
Those with a disability below this required percentage are not
entertained and on the other hand, people with higher degree of
disability as well as those having multiple disabilities do not come
under this purview. In most such cases, it has been seen that acutely
disabled turn out to be a "burden" on the family as well as the society.
Post polio residual paralysis, locomotive disability, stammered voice
and mental disability mostly comprise disability population in the
state. Those hit by the conflict too constitute a good number.
Though the official records put their number at more than three lakh
which constitutes about three percent of the population, still much has
not been done for their rehabilitation. To fill the basic formalities
required for reservation, they are tossed from post to pillar, which
starts from getting medical certificate from the concerned Chief Medical
Officer (CMO). This is no less a testing time for them.
"We have to go to the CMOs office a number of times, at times to Deputy
Commissioner's (DC's) office as well. The entire process is so hectic
and cumbersome that at times people get dejected and leave the process
midway. Rules ought to be made flexible and convenient for us so that we
can pursue the cases ourselves without any hindrance," said Abdul Majid,
a resident of Srinagar and a physically disabled people fellow.
Even the institutions which provide these people with vocational or
regular trainings or where they offer their services are not disabled–
friendly. This is an open secret. They have to move inside the buildings,
banks, educational institutions and other public places but without any
facility being offered to them.
Till recently the concept of ramps was mostly missing but now it has
started coming up. "A beginning has been made at some public offices.
Constructions should be made in accordance with these facilities so that
they do not suffer. It is not only ramps that would make a difference
but other facilities too are to be provided simultaneously and at the
earnest," said Shugufta Wani, a social worker.
"We face lot of difficulties while moving up and down the buildings, be
it educational institutions, University or banks; an alternative has to
be looked into," emphasised Kaiser Jan, a student who is physically
disabled people.
Long term training in terms of diploma courses in various streams and
non–formal vocational courses in college and extension centres are
offered by K. G. Polytechnic, Gogjibagh under Persons with Disability
Scheme sponsored by Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
The college provides ramps for their convenience but only at one or two
places. Same holds true with other educational institutions including
the University of Kashmir or for that matter any other department in the
state. "At the outset, counseling is provided to them about which
stream they should opt for. In all the five streams (diploma courses) 25
seats are reserved for them. 100 students are enrolled for short term
courses offered in college and other extension centres at Bandipora,
Pulwama, Shopian, Budgam and Srinagar. 40 percent disability is the only
criteria in the short term courses except for courses involving computer
education. Those with less disability, even say 39 percent, are not
entertained," said Shaheen a counselor.
Source: http://www.kashmirwatch.com
Back to TopGovernment gets notice on job quota for disabled people
CHENNAI: 22 Oct 2008: The First Bench of the Madras High Court has ordered two weeks notice on a writ petition praying for a direction to the government to
appoint persons with disabilities to the tune of not less than three
percent of the total sanctioned teachers and non–teaching staff post in
the government aided colleges numbering about 160 in the State.
The Bench comprising Chief Justice A K Ganguly and Justice F M Ibrahim
Kalifulla ordered the notice on Tuesday while admitting a public
interest petition from Prof. I Elangovan of Voorhees College, Vellore.
According to petitioner, government–aided colleges were 'establishments
' under Section 2(k) of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal
Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act.
As per Section 33 of the Act, the government should appoint persons with
disabilities in every aided college at least to the tune of three per
cent of the total vacancies.
POLICE PROTECTION: The Madras High Court has directed the SP of
Cuddalore district to provide police protection to Dr Shanmuga Sundaram,
chairman of Kurunjipadi Panchayat Union as well as to the venue of the
Panchayat Council meeting to be held on October 23.
According to advocate P H Manoj Pandian, Sundaram left the DMK and
joined the AIADMK after being elected the chairman. When a meeting was
convened on September 23, Sundaram was prevented from entering the
meeting venue.
REMOVAL STAYED: The Madras High Court has stayed the operation of an
August 19 order of the Tiruvallur District Collector removing Egavalli
Mahalingam from the post of president of Kummanoor Panchayat. She was
removed citing irregularities in the auction of trees.
Source: http://www.expressbuzz.com
Back to TopParliamentary panel laments government's laid back attitude on disabled people
New Delhi, Oct 21: A parliamentary panel has frowned at the
ministry of social justice and empowerment for the lackadaisical manner
in which a scheme meant to provide counselling to disabled people at the
district level is being implemented and for not adequately disseminating
information on another scheme to provide artificial limbs to disabled people. The Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment, in
its 37th report tabled in the Lok Sabha Tuesday, pointed to the shortage
of manpower and resources at the District Disability Rehabilitation
Centres (DDRCs) that are the main agency for implementing the Scheme of
Assistance to disabled persons for purchase/fitting of Aids and
Appliances (ADIP).
"The committee had noted that DDRCs set up to provide counselling,
generate awareness about the programmes and for help in the issue of
disability certificates were facing problems in terms of availability of
manpower," the committee, headed by Sumitra Mahajan of the Bharatiya
Janata Party, said.
The committee demanded that necessary steps be taken to address the
shortage of manpower and that DDRCs should be opened in all the
districts.
"The committee urges upon the Government to provide adequate manpower
to DDRcs and also open DDRCs in all districts during the current Plan
Period (2007–2012), so that the problems of disabled persons could be
efficiently tackled," the report said.
The committee said that adequate steps have not been taken by the
ministry to give publicity through the media about the ADIP scheme.
"The committee reiterate that the government ought to impress upon all
agencies entrusted with implementation of the ADIP scheme to make
sincere efforts to organize more field camps periodically for generating
awareness about the scheme," the committee said in its report.
It also demanded the setting up of a monitoring committee for the scheme.
"A monitoring committee for the may be set up in the ministry to ensure
regular and effective implementation of the scheme in a focused and
concerted manner," the report said.
Analysing the action taken by the government on the recommendations
contained in its 27th report, the committee noted that only six of the
16 made had been implemented.
Source: http://www.thaindian.com/
Back to TopCommittee recommends separate department to deal with disabled people
New Delhi, Oct 20: There should be a separate department to deal
with persons with disabilities, a parliamentary committee said in a
report Monday while noting that the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment had not done enough for such people. The Estimates Committee
of the Lok Sabha that studied programmes and schemes for Welfare of
Persons with Disabilities came down heavily on the ministry for leaving
"a wide gap between the policy and grassroot reality".
In the final report, the committee said that it was "distressed that
the National Trust (for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy,
Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999) could not fully
utilise the funds from 2001–02 to 2006–07" and was "astonished to note
that the reason given by the ministry was the absence of NGOs working in
the area".
Talking about NGOs, the committee asked for appropriate legal action
against the organisations that misuse the grants given by the ministry.
The committee has recommended that the ministry devise a mechanism to
associate Panchayati Raj institutions, local bodies, MLAs/MPs for the
effective implementation of the National Policy for Persons with
Disability, 2006.
There is also emphasis to include people with other kinds of
disabilities like thallassaemia, fluorosis, cochlear implant to be
recognised among Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act, 1995, and mentally
disabled persons to be included in the National Trust Act.
Interestingly, the committee noted that the ministry did not have any
agency to check the quality of devices given to the disabled, leading to
accidents like breaking of crutches at times. The committee has strongly
recommended maintaining the standard of such devices.
Another important observation was the disparity in salary of staff
working in NGOs, a major cause of discontent among them and their
leaving. It recommended good salaries for the teachers of special
schools so that children are not deprived of good guidance.
The committee has asked the ministry to take steps to fill up all vacant
posts meant for people with disabilities and also take up the matter of
identifying the higher posts with the Union Public Service Commission
(UPSC) as early as possible.
Source: http://www.thaindian.com/
Back to TopLearning disability is manageable, but difficult to cure, says expert
Ludhiana, October 18: "Parents are the first ones to detect the
disability in a child. They should not worsen the situation by
prolonging it," said Bharti Kapoor,Psychologist and Educational
Consultant at Optmising Development in Education, Chandigarh.
She was here to attend a seminar on learning disabilities at the Ram Lal
Bhasin Public School, Dugri today.
She warned the parents not to deny the existence of a disability in
their child as it may lead to frustration and failures in life.
She said: "Learning disability is manageable, but not curable. The
children with a learning disability have very high IQ, but the problem
is that both their left and right part of the brain work simultaneously.
This leads to confusion regarding accepting a situation. If a child
questions about why we spell 'was' the way we do, we should be able to
explain this with examples and to ensure that he understands. Parents
and teachers should both avoid telling the child to stop asking
questions."
Replying to a query about why teachers do not want to spend time with
slow learners, she said: "The schools should have special educators for
such children. The schools can also arrange for special lessons for
training the teachers."
Giving tips to both parents and teachers, she said: "Students should be
taught the basic concepts at a young age. They should not be pressurised
for securing good marks. Parents need to spend quality time with the
kids."
Regarding tackling the slow learners in class, she said: "Teachers
should pair up these children. This means that if a child is good in
English and other in Mathematics, they should be made to sit together.
In this way, they will help each other."
Referring to the various types of disabilities like Dyscalculia
(difficulty in doing mathematics), Dysgraphia (children know the
definition but are unaware of the term), Dyslexia (facing problem while
reading and writing), she said: "Teachers should use short sentences
and simple vocabulary."
She added that one cannot measure the intelligence level of a child on
the basis of a mechanical activity. The children who reason out and ask
questions are intelligent. Many a times, it has been observed that
children who do fairly well in exams are not intelligent. School
director S Verma said, "Teachers and parents are facing challenges
these days as children have easy access to all types of information. And,
to deal with the situation, psychologists as well as school councillors
are of great help."
Source: http://www.expressindia.com
Back to Top'Skywalks must be disabled–friendly'
MUMBAI: People with physical disabilities want better facilities to
ensure that they can easily access the 50 pedestrian skywalks planned
near railway stations across the city.
Somnath Chowgule of the Handicapped Welfare Service Association has a
host of complaints against planners for neglecting the problems of
disabled people. As skywalks are sprouting, we have to
ensure that they are built with escalators or lifts so that everyone can
avail of the facility, he said. Chowgule said he had asked the state to
ensure that senior citizens and people with physical disabilities did
not face any problem while using the skywalks.
The MMRDA will set up 50 skywalks at Rs 600 crore and one of them is
already functional in Bandra (E).
Another campaigner, architect C S K Raj, said he had been pleading with
the railways to adopt low–cost systems to help disabled people at
stations across the country. Raj, in his eighties, said the solution did
not lie in escalators. Elderly people are not comfortable on escalators.
A better solution to the problem is having elevators at the skywalks.
MMRDA chief Ratnakar Gaikwad said they would do the needful to help the
elderly and disabled people. I will ensure that their demands are
met, he added.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Back to TopChidambaram asks industry to be disabled–friendly in job recruitment
New Delhi, Oct 18: Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has asked the
domestic industry to show its humanitarian side and employ the
physically disabled people.
Chidambaram was speaking to reporters after addressing a national
conference on 'Engaging Industry in Employment of Persons with
Disabilities' organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (FICCI) here last evening.
The government had earmarked Rs. 1800 crores in the budget for current
fiscal and announced incentives for employers who give regular
employment to disabled persons, including social security cover.
hidambaram said even top notch industrialists were unaware of the
incentives.
"A large number of people have told me, including P M Sinha who heads
Bata, that he has no idea of such a scheme until a week ago. That's a
failure on the part of the government. A scheme that government
announced has not reached even a gentleman like P M Sinha. So, now FICCI
has been roped in," he said.
He added, "I hope that FICCI will help us hold similar meetings in other
places. In fact when I say 8.6 per cent, I think I was wrong if you
count the pension also to that part it works out to roughly 12 per cent
of the salaries being picked up under the scheme. If the employees come
to know of the scheme and if they are employing disabled people they
will surely claim under the scheme. The fact that not a single claim has
come is a measure of our failure. So we will do our very best to make
this a success in the remaining five–and–a–half months."
The union government has plans to give regular employment to 100, 000
physically disabled people by enthusing industrialists through
incentives.
Source: http://www.dailyindia.com
Back to TopFM to ensure jobs to a lakh disabled people in six months
New Delhi, Oct 17: Peeved at the tardy progress of a welfare
programme, Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said government will
aggressively pursue the budgetary announcement and ensure employment of
one lakh disabled people during the financial year.
"I apologise for failure of the scheme," he said while pointing out that
the scheme, which sought to provide fiscal incentives for employment of
disabled people, was yet to take off though it was notified more than
six months ago.
Under the scheme, for which even a budgetary allocation of over Rs 1,800
crore was made, the government would pay the employers' contribution
towards provident fund and ESI scheme for each of disabled employees.
Though the scheme became operational on April 1, 2008, the Finance
Minister said, "not one employer has made a claim under EPFO or ESIC".
Despite the scheme not taking off even after six months, the Finance
Minister expressed his continued commitment saying "under the scheme, I
resolve that within remaining six months, one lakh disabled people will
be enrolled in the scheme".
Chidambaram was speaking at a national conference on Engaging Industry
in Employment of Persons with Disabilities at Ficci here.
Participants from corporate world highlighted their contribution towards
the cause. Shell India, ITC Ltd, Genpact, Gitanjali Gems and Laser Soft
System said they recruit disabled people and have special
provisions for them.
Also, they added, the attrition rate among disabled people was
the lowest.
Source: http://www.ptinews.com/
Back to TopPoster campaign calling for facilities for disabled people launched
IMPHAL, Oct 17: With an objective to make possible special facilities
for disabled people at various public utility places in the state as per
the directive of the Disability Act 1995, the state social welfare cum
disability commissioner, Letkhogin Haokip, IAS, launched a poster and
banner campaign for disabled people in the state.
During the poster release function held at the office chamber of the
commissioner at the Old Secretariat in Imphal, the secretary of the
Handicapped Foundation Manipur, S Jasobanta Singh said it was
unfortunate for disabled people of the state that none of the
public utility facilities in the state maintained separate facilities
for disabled people.
This could be due to the failure on the part of the state government to
issue any serious instructions to maintain separate facilties for all
kinds of public utilities at various public places.
The simple release function was attended by the officials of the state
social welfare department who made an official appraisal to the
commissioner for giving proper directives as per the Disabilities Act
1995.
Meanwhile, a one–day disability assessment camp was organised yesterday
at Indoor Stadium, Chandel district headquarters with an objective to
enhance proper distribution of disability certificates after official
verification.
The disability camp was jointly organised by the state medical board,
social welfare department, All Tribal Disabled's Union Manipur (ATDUM)
and Chandel District Physically Handicapped's Association (CDPHA) at
Indoor Stadium, Chandel district headquarters and was attended by 79
disabled persons including boys and girls.
All the 79 disabled persons were diagnosed for the nature of their
handicap by a panel of select doctors led by Dr. Th Rabi, Dr. Th Chipson,
Dr. M Akeshore, Dr. L Dhaneshore. Many of the disabled persons who
turned up were diagnosed with locomotor visual, hearing and
psychological disorders.
On the other hand, L Ibomcha, disability welfare officer of the state
social welfare department who supervised the camp today mentioned that
the assessment camp was conducted to provide certain facilities from the
department after identifiying the disabilities officially.
He said since there are privileges provided the disabled under
Disability Act 1995, section 2 and Sub–section D Government of India and
there are provisions for 3 percent reservation in education and other
scholarships, it was a must for the department to carry out official
assessment of the disabled persons in the district for issuing
disability certificates.
Similar assessments would be held in other districts one after the other,
he added.
Source: http://www.kanglaonline.com/
Back to TopHC seeks new plan to help disabled kids in govt schools
NEW DELHI, 16 Oct 2008: Concerned over the fate of disabled children enrolled in MCD and Delhi government schools, Delhi High Court has asked secretary,
directorate of education to convene a meeting soon on this issue.
In a bid to address the non–availability of specially trained teachers for disabled students and other issues in MCD and NCT government–run schools, a division bench of Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice S Muralidhar said a committee should be convened to chalk out a plan. The committee, they suggested, should be headed by the secretary of department of education, Delhi government, one officer from MCD and NDMC each, besides two advocates.
The bench added that the committee must place before it suggestions to overcome the problems faced by disabled children in the MCD and state government–run schools.
The court order came while hearing a PIL filed by Social Jurists, an NGO, through counsel Ashok Aggrawal pointing that the children suffering from blindness, hearing impairment and mental retardation are deprived of their rights to get education which is their fundamental right.
Aggrawal submitted that a three–member team had visited various primary schools run by the MCD and the NCT government and the teachers had admitted before the team that they do not know how to teach disabled children.
"The failure on part of authorities to provide quality education, attention and care to children with disabilities tantamounts to violation of fundamental rights,'' the counsel had submitted.
Seeking a barrier–free environment in schools, the lawyer submitted that the government should provide specially made toilets and ramps to the students with disabilities.
He further argued that disabled children should be given forthwith special books including reading and writing materials.
HC agreed and observed that it was necessary to develop a plan, teaching aides along with specially trained teachers to bring disabled kids into the mainstream of education.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Back to TopA special school prepares learning–disabled children to face the world through vocational training
With its spacious playground and its classrooms full of drawings by
children, it looks like any other school. But instead of learning to
solve mathematical problems or reading literature, students of the
Aanchal School at Chanakyapuri are learning paper craft, tailoring and
carpentry. The aim is to make these special children with learning
disabilities self–sufficient. Downstairs, a music teacher plays the
piano while a few students sing and play the dholak and students over 18
attend vocational training classes. Colourful envelopes, paper bags and
candles made by them will be sold in Dilli Haat.
At the end of their stay in school, students know how to present
themselves and give their address and phone number if the need arises.
"Once they leave the school, most of them are self–sufficient," says
special educator B. Uma.
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But even after the children have been trained, many of them would still
have trouble speaking, handling money or travelling alone. Only a few of
them have managed to get jobs.
The school's special educators also counsel parents on how to deal with
the problems of their children. "Some parents are not able to figure
out that their child has a disability," explains occupational therapist
Poonam Vig. Even those who are aware of their children's disability don
't know to deal with it. "They tend to be either too protective or to
neglect the children," says Vig.
The role of the family is something the special educators never tire of
emphasising.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com
Back to TopSpecial project for disabled people
DINDIGUL: Disabled persons of Kadayam village in Tirunelveli district
will get physical and emotional support through confidence and capacity
building measures soon as Gandhigram Trust has launched a special
project for them.
Under this project, the trust will provide safe environment for disabled
children to live, study and grow and introduce promotional activities
that will build confidence and ability of the disabled and help them
lead an independent life.
Early detection and intervention, medical tests, effective counselling,
speech therapy, supply of hearing aids and learning materials and
development of infrastructure are other components of the project.
Disabled people will be exposed to vocational training on the basis of
their acuteness of disability, according to M.R. Rajagopalan, secretary
of the trust.
He was presiding over the trust's annual day function held on its
premises on Tuesday evening.
Already, a survey has been completed in the village and a sum of Rs. 23.
5 lakh sanctioned for the first year of implementation of the project.
Community–based rehabilitation would be its main focus.
Thirty villages in nine panchayats would be covered for community–based
rehabilitation, providing education, health and vocational training.
Ante–natal care of women would be taken up, he added. On successful
implementation, this project would be replicated in all villages of
Tirunelveli district.
Source: http://www.hindu.com/
Back to TopDreams of the Disabled People on Canvas in Shimla
"Main pilot banna chahta hoon", this is the dream of Manish Kumar
Jamwal, who expressed it on the canvas with crayons, as he cannot speak.
Another child with hearing impairment painted a house, some trees, and
the pace of wind and wrote a slogan, "My aim is to become a scientist
and see the shape of air." Their silent dreams may or might not ever
become true but it truly leads you to ponder that even these special
children of God have hopes and aspirations. And although destiny has
been cruel to them they still dare to dream.
Meena, a deaf girl of Prerana Institute, made an emotional appeal to
save environment through her painting with a slogan–"Van se Vayu, Vayu
se Aayu." A deaf and low vision child Manoj Kumar painted a beautiful
bus on the canvas.
To give a voice to such dreams, a painting contest of deaf and low
vision children, 'Talent–2008, was organized by Society for
Disability and Rehabilitation Studies (SDRS), Himachal Chapter in
collaboration with Yuva– Himachal (Youth for Uplift Through Voluntary
Action in Himachal) at Indira Gandhi Sports complex. In many ways, it
was the first initiative of its kind in this hill state. Around forty
students from Institute for the Deaf at Dhalli and 'Prerana', Totu,
participated in this contest. According to Ajai Srivastava, chairman of
SDRS and convener of Yuva– Himachal, "The main motive behind this event
is to bring such special children in the mainstream by identifying the
talent in them. We want to motivate these children and provide them a
platform to showcase their talent."
It is pertinent to mention that this institute, along with an Institute
for the Blind on the same campus, is run by Himachal Pradesh Council for
Child Welfare. Both the institutes have been in the news for the human
rights violations of its inmates. The Governor of Himachal Pradesh is
head of the council and for the last couple of years; he did not bother
about the situation prevailing on the campus. It was Ajai Srivastava
only who dared to ask the Justice V.S. Kokje, Governor, last year to
step down if he was not capable to protect the human rights of the
disabled children.
"As a part of our campaign to sensitize policy makers and intellectuals
along with common masses about the issues related to disability, this
programme was organized. It is a matter of concern for us that there is
no drawing teacher in the school. Despite this, the deaf students did
well in the painting contest. It shows their talent. If they are given
equal opportunity, the can excel in any field." Ajai Srivastava said.
He further told HimVani that the SDRS and Yuva– Himachal would be
sponsoring an art and craft teacher for the Institute of the Deaf.
For special training of painting to the deaf children of the institute,
the services of Mujeeb Hussain, a young artist and Art and Craft teacher
at D.A.V. Lakkar Bazar, Shimla would also be utilized. He has recently
been awarded the Gold Medal for best art teacher at the national level.
Speaking to HimVani, Mujeeb expressed his happiness and said that
teaching these special children would be a challenge for him only. The
judges for the contest were Mujeeb Hussain, Anjana Panwar, lecturer of
Fine Arts at the Rajiv Gandhi Degree College and Nandlal Thakur of H.P.
University. The results will be announced later and the selected
students would be given special training in painting.
Suresh Bhardwaj, M.L.A. of Shimla, was the chief guest and Prabha Rajiv,
Joint Director, Department of Social Justice and Environment presided
over the function. Suresh Bhardwaj applauded SDRS and Yuva– Himachal
volunteers working for the cause of the disabled. He further urged the
people to join hands and rise above the difference of politics, caste,
and creed to work for such noble cause. He assured all possible help
from the state government to SDRS and Yuva Himachal. Prabha Rajiv said
that NGO efforts were necessary to uplift the weaker sections. She said
her department was extending all possible support to the institute.
Kanwaljeet Singh, president Shimla Beopar Mandal, while addressing the
gathering, said the disabled need equal rights and opportunities. He
assured his support to the cause. Earlier, Yashwant Rai, Sanjiv Sunta,
Bharti Kuthiala, and Dalel Thakur, members of the core group of SDRS and
Yuva– Himachal, welcomed the guests.
Source: http://www.himvani.com
Back to TopA job fair with a difference to employ Disabled People
Bangalore, Oct 7: A popular coffee house is an unlikely venue for
a job fair. The fair itself was unusual. It was exclusively for the
differently abled and held for the first time in India's IT hub.At the
end of the fair Sunday, 70 people with low vision or hearing impairment
or mild mental retardation and other physical disabilities went back
home with appointment letters as housekeepers, helpers, office
assistants and other unskilled positions in leading corporate houses.
"I am happy that I got a job. I am no more dependent on my parents,"
said an excited Bina Prasad, 22, who is hearing impaired and was chosen
by Bangalore–based Integra Garments as a tailor.
Echoing Bina's emotion, 23–year–old Sourav Shukla, who has locomotive
disorder and was offered a job by ITC Agarbati, said the job would help
him lead life with dignity. Sourav is a trained incense maker.
Besides Integra garments and ITC Agarbati, other employers at the fair
included Coffee Day, ITC Hotels and Bangalore–based IBC Hotels and
Resorts.
The fair was organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in
association with EnAble India, a Bangalore–based NGO working for the
uplift of the physically challenged people. The job seekers had to be
above 18 years of age and with qualification lower than Class 10.
"We strongly believe that people with disability can contribute a lot
to the economic and social development of the country, but due to lack
of opportunities, disabled people hardly get employed," a CII official
told IANS.
"The event is an attempt to provide job platform to the disabled. We
are overwhelmed by the responses from corporate houses. Seeing the
success of the fair, we plan to organise more such events in the coming
days," the official, who did not wish to be named, said.
The industry body formed the CII Disability Forum in August 2006 in
Bangalore to provide economic opportunities to persons with disabilities
by bringing together NGOs, corporate houses and government
representatives.
"It is a positive step forward. Employment opportunities for disabled
people are very few. There is a taboo associated with them that they are
less efficient, which is a misconception.
"Such a fair, where corporate houses participated enthusiastically,
will definitely help in creating awareness among the masses about the
potential of disabled people, who are as good as any other human being,
" said Shanti Raghavan, founder of EnAble India.
"Since our inception in 1999, we are training persons with disabilities
in various skills, according to their interest and aptitude. We also try
to get them employed in various corporate houses and government offices,
" she added.
The NGO also keeps in touch with the disabled persons even after they
are employed to see that proper treatment is meted out to them by their
employers, Raghavan said.
"In most of the cases we found that the performance of the disabled in
their respective job is on par with others. They are hardworking and
sincere and thus get full support from their colleagues. We also conduct
awareness drives on a regular basis in various corporate houses and
government departments on the need to employ persons with disabilities,
" she said.
Of the 75 who attended the job fair, 60 were trained in various skills
by EnAble India.
People with disabilities are among the most excluded in Indian society,
according to "People with Disabilities in India: From Commitments to
Outcomes", a report prepared by World Bank in collaboration with the
central Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2007.
The report states that disabled adults have far lower employment rates
than the general population and this fell from 43 percent in 1991 to 38
percent in 2002, even in the midst of high economic growth.
The report says 60 million disabled people in India are subject to
multiple deprivations. Households with disabled members are
significantly poorer than average, with lower consumption and fewer
assets. Children living with disability are around four to five times
less likely to be in school than Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste
children, it adds.
Source: http://www.thaindian.com/
Back to TopAndhra Pradesh CM announces special section for training deaf student
HYDERABAD: In a bid to enable tenth standard passed deaf
children pursue higher studies, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on
Monday announced a special section to train them in three junior
colleges in the three regions of the State.
Addressing a gathering as part of the International Day of Deaf
at his camp office here on Sundayday, the Chief Minister said the State
Government had also decided to have a similar section at Bapatla Degree
College to provide training to deaf students.
Besides, steps had been taken to set up speech learning centres in every
district hospital and medical colleges in the State, he informed.
Referring to cochlear implantations conducted under the second phase of
Rajiv Arogyasri, Reddy announced that the operations would also be
conducted in all Government ENT hospitals shortly.
At present, the operations were being conducted at Apollo, Vasavi, Care
and Guntur ENT hospitals. Besides, it was decided to give better
wireless analog hearing aid to the patients concerned under Rajiv
Arogyasri–2, he said.
On this occasion, Reddy interacted with the parents of cochlear
implanted children of the dumb and the deaf who had received treatment
under Arogyasri.
Source: http://www.expressbuzz.com
Back to TopHC order on kids with 'disabilities'
NEW DELHI, 2 Oct 2008: Taare Zameen Par might have highlighted the plight of kids
with learning disabilities, but here is an intervention which promises
to address issues concerning them and others who are disabled people..
A concerned Delhi High Court on Wednesday demanded a detailed schoolwise
and classwise census of kids enrolled in MCD and Delhi government
schools who suffer from such disabilities. The government has two weeks
time to table the data before a bench comprising Justice A P Shah and
Justice S Muralidhar.
The bench also sought information on the kind of disability a child
suffers from, and how the school takes care of him/her to ensure
education is imparted in a sensitive manner. HC was hearing a PIL filed
by an NGO alleging there had been little or no efforts on the part of
government authorities to bring such children to mainstream school
system or to provide them with requisite educational environment so that
they can study. Appearing for the NGO, advocate Ashok Aggarwal argued
before the court saying, "there are no qualified teachers in schools for
such kids and by denying them special facilities, the government was
denying them right to education."
The bench wanted to know if there is any commission established to look
into disability related grievances. Standing counsel for Delhi
government Najmi Waziri informed court that a disability commissioner is
incharge of examining all complaints and is aided by five major NGO's.
Waziri also said that as part of governments efforts, training was being
imparted to teachers of government schools to sensitize them on teaching
students with disabilities. "We will be more than happy to place all the
information before the court. The state government is already
implementing a policy effected by the central government in this regard,
" Waziri said.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Back to TopCourt asks Delhi for report on school facilities for disabled people
New Delhi, Oct 1: The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked the state
government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to prepare a
detailed report on the absence of teachers and facilities available for
disabled students in city schools.A division bench headed by Chief
Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice S. Muralidhar said the report
should be submitted by Oct 15, the next date of hearing.
"Prepare a detailed report mentioning schools, number of students,
facilities available for them and also produce the medical record of the
disabled students," the bench said.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Social
Jurist, an NGO, that had contended that 1,000 schools run by the Delhi
government and 1,800 MCD schools, having thousands of students with
disabilities, particularly those suffering from blindness, hearing
impairment and mental retardation, do not have trained teachers.
The petition highlighted the fact that students with disabilities do not
get a barrier–free environment in these schools.
Ashok Agarwal, appearing on behalf of the petitioner, cited the case of
Avinash, a blind Class 3 student he met Sep 1 in the MCD School in E–
block of Jahangirpuri.
Agarwal said that Avinash was in dire need of a specially trained
teacher without whom he could not receive any education. The boy also
needs reading and writing material in Braille.
Source: http://www.thaindian.com/
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