Social Justice
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- 04 Dec 2019
- 4 min read
Why in News
International Day of Persons with Disabilities was celebrated worldwide on 3rd December 2019.
Key Points
- It was proclaimed in 1992 by United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3.
- The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted in 2006. It has further advanced the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other international development frameworks.
Significance
- It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
Theme for 2019
- Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda.
- This year it focuses on the empowerment of persons with disabilities for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development as anticipated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which pledges to ‘leave no one behind’ and recognizes disability as a cross-cutting issues, to be considered in the implementation of its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy
- The United Nations launched it in June 2019 in line with its commitment to make the UN an inclusive organization for all.
- It provides for the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion through all pillars of the work of the United Nations.
- India also celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Vice President of India presented the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and suggested measures to improve facilities for their holistic development.
Steps Taken by the Government
- Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) states that State shall make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement, within the limits of its economic capacity and development.
- Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
- This act defines disability based on an evolving and dynamic concept.
- Under the act, the types of disabilities have been increased from 7 to 21. In addition, the Government has been authorized to notify any other category of specified disability.
- The act is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
- Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)
- Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for purchase/fitting of Aids/appliances (ADIP Scheme)
- Scheme for Implementation of Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (SIPDA)
- District Disability Rehabilitation Centres (DDRC)
- Accessible India Campaign
- Other Scholarship Schemes
Steps Needed
- Society should be inclusive and sensitive towards the needs of differently-abled.
- Creation of accessible infrastructure should be of paramount importance.
- Schools must inculcate sensitivity towards disability among children early in their lives.
- Safety at road and workplace should be enhanced for the prevention of debilitating accidents.
- Social attitude towards disability should be changed.
- Good cinema should be encouraged on the topic of disability.
