Be Mains Ready

Approach

• Introduce by mentioning about the current status of PwDs and the need for their social inclusion.
• Mention the government initiatives undertaken to improve their condition.
• Conclude by giving the need for community driven solutions and suggest some other measures.

Introduction

Persons with disabilities (PwD) are one of the largest minority groups in India, who have suffered long years of neglect, deprivation, segregation and exclusion. As per Census 2011, the number of persons with disabilities in India is around 268.14 lakhs constituting 2.21% of the total population.

The government has taken several initiatives to improve the condition of PwDs. Some of them are mentioned below:

• Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
  
  • This Act gave effect to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
  • As per this Act, no person can be discriminated against on the grounds of their disability (for example, in cases of career growth, promotions, transfers, etc) thereby providing an equal opportunity.
  • The Act increased the quota of reservation for PwDs from 3% to 4% in government jobs and from 3% to 5% in higher educational institutions.
• Technology Development Projects in Mission Mode
  
  • With a view to provide suitable and cost effective aids and appliances through the application of technology, the above scheme was launched in 1990-91.
  • Suitable Research & Development projects are identified and funded for developing aids and appliances.
• Inclusive Education for the Disabled at Secondary Stage
  
  • The scheme supports children with disabilities aged 14 or above for completing their secondary education from class 9 to class 12 in government, local body and government aided schools.
• Accessible India Campaign
  
  • It was launched for creating universal accessibility for PwDs in buildings, public transport, information and communication (ICT) ecosystem, etc.
• Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)
  
  • Financial assistance is provided to NGOs for projects relating to rehabilitation of PwDs.
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives
  
  • A mobile app has been planned to be launched for providing information on disabled-friendly utilities in a city.
  • Sign languages are to be introduced in more than 25% of programmes, starting with Doordarshan to make television more disabled-friendly.
• Awareness Generation and Publicity
  
  • Providing wide publicity through electronic, print, film media, multimedia to the schemes and programmes are being run by the central government and state governments for the welfare of persons with disabilities.

Though the government schemes have made significant improvement in the lives of PwDs, some other measures need to be taken. Some of the recommendations of NITI Aayog include:

Undertaking Legislative, Policy and Institutional Reforms

• National Policy for PwDs 2006 needs to be revised to make it more relevant and comprehensive. States should be encouraged to develop their own disability policies similar to the Comprehensive Disability Policy Framework for Chhattisgarh.
• Number of schemes administered by the DEPwD should be rationalised.

Strengthening Educational Opportunities

• It must be ensured that schools have at least one section of each class accessible under the Universal Design Guidelines.
• Additionally, a module on sensitization should be made mandatory in teacher training courses.

Enhancing Employability

• Dedicated ITI Centers should be set up for PwDs according to the requirements of the private sector, to train them for self employment.
• Authorized Share Capital of National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) should be enhanced.

Establishing Important Institutions for PwDs

• Centres for Disability Sports should be opened.
• Indian Sign Language, Research & Training Centre should be set up and 500 additional sign language interpreters should be trained.

Improving Access to Aids/Assistive technologies for PwDs

• Distribution of aids to senior citizens who live below the poverty line should be prioritised as a sizeable percentage suffers from age-related disabilities.
• Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) Project should be rolled-out creating an electronic database of PwDs across the entire country.

Conclusion

Though we have come a long way, we still have much to do to ensure an inclusive, barrier-free and rights based society for persons with disabilities through empowering them. Society needs to be sensitized about their needs and remove the stigma that they face. Social policies can become more effective tools to encourage people with disabilities to acquire social empowerment.