Wednesday, September 29, 2010

உதவிக்கரம் செப்டம்பர் மாத இதழ் 2010


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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

jobs for differently abled

1 A LEADING JWELLERY SHOW ROOM IN CHENNAI CITY requires telephone operators for their branch show rooms. Orthopaedically /differently abled can contact me in cell 9841048947 immediately.

2 A 5 star hotel in chennai city requires telephone operator/ should speak english fluently/ortho s can contact me in 9841048947

3 The same hotel requires 12 persons for laundry dept. Hearing and speech impaired can approah me

decent salary/free meals/pf and other staff facilities/uniforms will be given

Sunday, September 5, 2010

harrasement/cheating of differently abled

a woman with speech &hearing disability approached us for help in our "face to face " meeting on one saturday 4 to 8 pm.
FACE TO FACE meeting is held on evry saturday 4-8 pm
HER GREVENCE
SHE IS A COOLIE and was working in bldg construction work
Her Maistry (supervisor) made advances on her and cheated her and gave birth to a baby. (boy)
HE is already married and has two girls.
The woman (speech impaired) wanted help
we traced the MAN
He was brougt to ASSN office by our volunteers
After long persuation, he agreed to marry and live with this lady after marrying her in a temple. A letter was also taken from him in this regard
He also promised to convince his first wife and make her agree for this.

IS THIS MARRIAGE VALID IN LAW?
IF NOT, WHAT IS THE FATE OF THIS LADY WHO IS HANDICAPPED AND CHEATED?
THE POLICE AND COURTS SHOULD PROTECT THE LADIES FROM THIS TYPE OF HARRASMENTS AND ALLOW MARRIAGES IF THE MAN AGREES.
expert's views welcome

LATEST UPDATES ON DISABILITY ISSUES BY MAHESH

CBR Forum E-News Bulletin
– A Compilation of News, Information and Updates
August 2010 - CBR Forum - E- News Bulletin
Networking, Advocacy and Lobbying – in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and enhance the potential to exercise these rights.
Compiled by:
C. Mahesh, Advocacy Coordinator
advocacy.cbrforum@gmail.com
New law on anvil for welfare of disabled
The government will bring a new legislation to harmonise the provisions of the Persons with Disability Act with the spirit and principles of the UN Convention, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik said Thursday.
http://sify.com/news/new-law-on-anvil-for-welfare-of-disabled-news-national-ki0rabficfi.html


New Legislation to replace Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995

Meeting Minutes of the Committee
http://socialjustice.nic.in/committee.php

Disabled quota push

New Delhi, Aug. 13: For the first time, a job quota will be thrust on the private sector if the government accepts a panel’s recommendation for reservations for the disabled and turns it into law.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100814/jsp/nation/story_12810935.jsp

‘New disability law shrouded in secrecy'
BANGALORE: Ironic as it is, the process of drafting the new disability law that seeks to do away with the “regressive and outdated” Persons with Disability Act (1995) is non-inclusive and entirely opaque, disability rights activists decry.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/31/stories/2010083153841000.htm

‘Disability law drafting process non-consultative’
Disability activists from across the State have urged the panel set up by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to draft the new Disability Bill to include the community and make the process transparent.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/93313/disability-law-drafting-process-non.html Disability and Census of 2011
Counting the “invisible” children of Mother India.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/23/stories/2010062353861300.htm

Boy overcomes cerebral palsy, gets seat in IIT
Noida: Ali Abbas smiled contentedly as friends and family poured in to congratulate him on cracking the IIT-JEE.The son of a former additional district judge,R H Zaidi,Abbas had fought against all odds he suffers from cerebral palsy since birth to realise his dream of studying in the prestigious institution.

http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=4&edlabel=CAP&mydateHid=28-05-2010&pubname=&edname=&articleid=Ar00406&format=&publabel=TOI

Cerebral Palsied person succeded in CA
Ajeetsingh Shekhawat of Gandhinagar Gujarat is a rare case of such jiant success.
http://www.karmayog.org/messages/message.aspx?id=3117



Change your mindset on physically challenged: Bombay high court tells govt
Krutika Purohit, 17, had nursed the dream of being a physiotherapist since she was nine. However, with her visual disability, clearing the MHCET for pursuing a degree course in physiotherapy with a good score and obtaining

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_change-your-mindset-on-physically-challenged-bombay-high-court-tells-govt_1418062



Visually challenged girl can attend class

A 17-year-old visually challenged girl, who was denied admission to a physiotherapy course because of her disability, can attend lectures until her petition is decided, the Bombay High Court ruled on Tuesday.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Visually-challenged-girl-can-attend-class/Article1-578712.aspx

Speech impaired girl cracks BE
Shweta Kulkarni is first such girl from Karnataka to accomplish this task
http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/10/2010080320100803041536454607794b9/Speech-impaired-girl-cracks-BE.html


Bombay high court opens MBBS door for disabled student
Just days after it told the state government that the latter needed to change its mindset in accommodating the disabled, the Bombay high court on Wednesday directed the state to grant a 19-year-old physically challenged student provisional admission to an MBBS course.
http://www.dnaindia.com/academy/report_bombay-high-court-opens-mbbs-door-for-disabled-student_1419001

A girl of grit and determination
Losing her right arm in a train mishap, Shreya Sen learns to use her left
http://education.in.msn.com/news/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4226124

'Include dyslexia as a disability while amending RTE Act'
Taking forward the agenda set by actor Aamir Khan in the Bollywood film Taare Zameen Par, a Parliamentary Committee has suggested that dyslexia and any other type of disability, if existing, need to be included in the definition of “child with disability” while amending the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill 2010.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article542461.ece

'Governmet schools more disabled-friendly'
CHENNAI: Members of the Spastic Society along with the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan conducted an awareness rally here on Monday, demanding that more number of physically-challenged children should be inducted into the government schools. They felt that government schools were more disabled-friendly than private schools.
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/governmet-schools-more-disabled-friendly/196887.html

No admission in hostel for visually impaired
LUCKNOW: The hall of residence for visually impaired students in the Lucknow University, the Acharya Narendra Deo (AND) hostel, is yet to see an entry.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/No-admission-in-hostel-for-visually-impaired/articleshow/6289945.cms#ixzz0wGkOwMMK

Disabled kids not getting proper care at Shishu Grih
LUCKNOW: The change of guard at the Rajkiya Shishu Grih on Prag Narain Road has hit the disabled children hard.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Disabled-kids-not-getting-proper-care-at-Shishu-Grih-/articleshow/6289929.cms#ixzz0wGj7maxF

Disabled lecturer accuses professor of harassment
CHENNAI: A young physically challenged doctorate degree holder, who was appointed as a lecturer in the History department in the Presidency College (Evening College), a government-run institution, has filed a police complaint alleging that a professor in the department had prevented him from assuming charge.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Disabled-lecturer-accuses-professor-of-harassment-/articleshow/6224853.cms

Handicapped due to lack of disabled-friendly vehicles
Organising Committee now shopping for special mini buses to ferry physically challenged VIPs during CWG
http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/aug/100810-Handicapped-CWG-disabled-friendly-vehicles.htm

For disabled on capital roads hurdles remain
With thousands of disabled visitors and athletes expected in Delhi during the Commonwealth Games, the government is hard at work to make the city "disabled-friendly".
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/For-disabled-on-capital-roads-hurdles-remain/articleshow/6239766.cms

PCI asks disabled swimmers to arrange funds for World C''ship
New Delhi, Aug 7 (PTI) Highlighting the discrimination faced by disabled athletes, an NGO has alleged that country's top handicapped swimmers have been asked by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) to find individual sponsors to participate in this month's World Championship in Holland.
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/pci-asks-disabled-swimmers-to-arrange-funds-for-world-cship/215036.html

Paralympic swimmers run for sanction
NEW DELHI: For the first time, Indian swimmers - four of them with varying levels of disability - have qualified for the biggest event in paralympic swimming, the International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championship in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/Paralympic-swimmers-run-for-sanction/articleshow/6267858.cms

Specially-abled athletes cry foul
Even as the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games and other civic agencies are being sharply criticised for failing to complete the work on time in connection with the Commonwealth Games-2010, the disabled athletes seems to have been completely left behind.
http://www.asianage.com/delhi/specially-abled-athletes-cry-foul-237

Disabled athletes protest discrimination, mismanagement
Braving the heavy rain, hundreds of disabled athletes Tuesday protested outside Sports Minister M.S. Gill's residence here, condemning the rampant mismanagement in disability sports in India.
http://sify.com/news/disabled-athletes-protest-discrimination-mismanagement-news-national-kikrkdieiff.html

Disabled athletes to gherao Sports Minister's home
Angry at the continued apathy of the union sports minister towards sports for the disabled, hundreds of disabled athletes and activists from all over the country will protest outside the minister's residence in Delhi on Tuesday. "Under the banner of Disabled Rights Group (DRG), the disabled athletes and disability activists will gherao the residence of M.S. Gill at Mother Teresa Road," said Javed Abidi, convener, Disabled Rights Group
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Disabled-athletes-to-gherao-Sports-Minister-s-home/Article1-584474.aspx

Anand lends monetary support to visually impaired players
NEW DELHI: In a kind gesture, Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand is giving financial support to Indian team in their preparation for the World Blind Chess Championship to be held in Belgrade, Serbia from August 26 to September 4.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/chess/Anand-lends-monetary-support-to-visually-impaired-players/articleshow/6388458.cms#ixzz0xJtjT9hx


Drive to check fake disability certificates
To check the issuance of disability certificates to ineligible people, the state’s Department for Disabled Welfare will be issuing certificates to beneficiaries through open camps.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Drive-to-check-fake-disability-certificates/654714


1 booked for ''fake'' disability certificate
CHANDIGARH: UT police has booked a Sector-21 woman resident for producing a fake disability certificate before Panjab University for getting admission in its department of law under the physically-handicapped quota in 1986.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/1-booked-for-fake-disability-certificate/articleshow/6389440.cms#ixzz0xJsvcQK5

31 disabled protestors held
Thirty one physically challenged men were arrested for protesting outside the muniicpal commissioner’s office by taking off their shirts on Tuesday. The protestors said 20 of them had paid deposits to the corporation for allocation of stalls but only six were allotted stalls. The rest were waiting to get their stalls for the last 10 months, they claimed.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/31-disabled-protestors-held/Article1-578750.aspx

'Cops lack sensitivity for disabled'
CHENNAI: Yet another effort by the differently-abled to reach out to the State government failed in the city when police lathi-charged a group of visually challenged people proceeding to meet Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who also holds the portfolio of their welfare.
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/cops-lack-sensitivity-for-disabled/196888.html


Haryana gives free travel facility to people with 100 percent disability
CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has given another facility to the hundred per cent physically challenged persons as now they would be able to travel free in State Roadways buses also to Delhi and Chandigarh for treatment at hospitals. The person accompanying such physically challenged persons would also be entitled to travel free in the State Roadways buses.
http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/haryana-gives-free-travel-facility-people-100-percent-disability/22622

It's Bus Day out for the disable
BANGALORE: "Where am I sitting? Is it a car or a bus?" That's what 6-year-old Ameena asked while travelling with transport minister R Ashoka in a Volvo bus on Wednesday.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Its-Bus-Day-out-for-the-disable/articleshow/6258554.cms#ixzz0vhS6s0g6

No entry for disabled in parks?
CHANDIGARH: Known for having spacious environs and pedestrian-friendly roads…The revolving gates installed at most city parks as well as other spaces in the green belt keep the disabled at bay. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/No-entry-for-disabled-in-parks/articleshow/6278291.cms

A ray of hope for the disabled
CHENNAI: A job fair for the disabled saw 53 private companies interviewing 2,070 candidates and shortlisting 479 of them on Sunday, lending them a ray of hope after having knocked in vain at the doors of the government for long.
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/a-ray-of-hope-for-the-disabled/196594.html


An exclusive market for the disabled
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: This Onam season is bringing to an end the desperate wait of disabled persons in front of markets. The Cooperative Department-supported Onam market for disabled will be inaugurated at Mudavanmugal on Tuesday. It will be a market for the disabled by the disabled.
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/an-exclusive-market-for-the-disabled/196792.html

Attempts to find shelter for disabled abandoned boy fail
Read more: Attempts to find shelter for disabled abandoned boy fail
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Attempts-to-find-shelter-for-disabled-abandoned-boy-fail/articleshow/6284423.cms

Tenant, friend held for killing blind couple
The Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested two persons for the murder of a visually impaired couple in Vivek Vihar.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Tenant--friend-held-for-killing-blind-couple/659223

Breaking the sounds of silence
It requires ample of patience and a patient perseverance to teach the hearing impaired. That is the first and the only qualification for a person to take up a course in teaching the hearing impaired.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Breaking-the-sounds-of-silence/articleshow/6295164.cms#ixzz0wNCDl6lE

Jaipur: Hearing impaired bike lifter arrested
Jaipur: A hearing impaired youth has been arrested in Jaipur for allegedly stealing motorcycles, police said on Friday.
Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/jaipur-hearing-impaired-bike-lifter-arrested-47580?cp

Bengal job score: less than 1%
New Delhi, Aug. 18: Not even 1 per cent households in Bengal got the promised 100 days’ work under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) in 2009, the latest report of the rural development ministry has revealed.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100819/jsp/nation/story_12827972.jsp

Metro paves path for blind
The heart of the city’s public transport system has finally opened its eyes to the needs of the visually challenged.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100821/jsp/calcutta/story_12794944.jsp

Making freedom work
When Javed Abidi, who suffers from a spinal malady, went to the US for studies in the 1980s, he was pleasantly surprised to find that he could access every nook and corner of the campus on his wheel chair. But back home in Delhi, most public places were not disabled-friendly, remembers Abidi. Not that it was surprising. There was no law governing the rights of people with disabilities.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_making-freedom-work_1423482

New media programmes for differently-abled
The department of communication and journalism at the Mumbai University, and the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped have come together for the first time to take on the issues of differently-abled persons and accessible media, websites and universal design. While the university and the institute have had many collaborative programs in the past, this course is a completely new addition.
http://www.dnaindia.com/speakup/report_new-media-programmes-for-
ifferently-abled_1416788

NTPC to open new facilities at Korba hospital
The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) will open a Directly Observed Treatment Centre (DOT) and a District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRC) at its Korba hospital to take care of tuberculosis patients and disabled persons
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/ntpc-to-open-new-facilities-at-korba-hospital/405519

Indian disabled dancers perform with hope
Physically disabled boys as well as deaf and mute girls perform "Bharatanatyam on wheels" during their practice session in New Delhi August 22, 2010
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/photo/2010-08/23/c_13458413.htm

Theatrical sight
Around 55 visually impaired girls attended a theatre workshop to combat stage fear and develop communication skills
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Theatrical-sight/655584

Shoot without sight
The local students of Blind With Camera Project were merited in reverse when at an exhibition of their photographs at the NCPA in 2007, an ageing individual declared indignantly that those pictures could not have been taken by the visually impaired: they must have been shot by people with sight, and were being palmed off as blind art. In his defence, at his age it’s probably easier to believe a technological miracle than a social one
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Shoot-without-sight/articleshow/6401227.cms

Call the blind, blind and not disabled: Gulzar
“One needs to call the blind, blind instead of different names such as challenged, disabled or impaired,” said lyricist Gulzar as he inaugurated a three day ‘Disability Awareness Program’ at the American Center, Churchgate, on Monday.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Call-the-blind-blind-and-not-disabled-Gulzar/Article1-578244.aspx

My picnic to Bannerghatta National Park
https://sites.google.com/site/exploreability/bannerghatta-national-park

: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Third session of the Conference of States Parties (UNHQ New York)
1-3 September 2010, UNHQ New York
http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=

Int’l Quran Contest for the Hearing-impaired Planned in Kuwait
According to Al-Ray daily, the contest will be organized by the Al-Islah cultural-social institute with the cooperation of Kuwait-based Al-Raya Company.
http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=197740

Mass. court sets rules on testimony by disabled
BOSTON - The highest court in Massachusetts has issued new guidelines to ensure witnesses with disabilities that affect how they communicate get a fair chance to testify in court.
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20100811mass_court_sets_rules_on_testimony_by_disabled/

London 2012 Paralympics: Channel 4 makes disability sport its main event
Channel 4 announces 150 hours of live event coverage, proving its commitment showcasing London 2012 Paralympics.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/7934650/London-2012-Paralympics-Channel-4-makes-disability-sport-its-main-event.html

Disability rights activist calls for shutdown of Presto
Disability rights activist David Lepofsky is calling on the Ontario government to shut down Presto until what he says are barriers to visually impaired and dyslexic people are removed.
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/846891--disability-rights-activist-calls-for-shutdown-of-presto

Qld wants disabled to vote from home
Voters with a disability may be able to cast their ballot from home under a proposal by Queensland's state electoral commission.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/qld-wants-disabled-to-vote-from-home-20100805-11ilg.html

Visually Impaired Runnerto Run in European Meet
The visually impaired sprinter Jason Smyth, 23, will be the first Paralympic champion to compete at the European Championships.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/sports/28sportsbriefs-paralympian.html

Equal opportunities emphasized for disabled persons
ISLAMABAD: Effort should be made for empowerment and economic rehabilitation of disabled persons and they should be provided equal opportunities in every segment of the society, believed participants in three-day Regional leadership conference for persons with Disabilities in South Asia inaugurated on Saturday.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C08%5C01%5Cstory_1-8-2010_pg11_5

Disabled woman 'may have starved to death after her carer mother died suddenly'
A disabled woman may have been left to starve to death after her mother, who cared for her full time, died suddenly in her bed.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1299665/Disabled-woman-starved-death-carer-mother-died-suddenly.html#ixzz0vWzU1xr1

Cardiff arts venue tours for visually impaired
Blind and visually impaired people will be able to explore an iconic Cardiff venue with a series of special tours.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-10897188

Paraplegic blazes trail riding motocross
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — On a chilly Mother's Day in 2002, Bob Mrozek, a high school junior and motocross racer, took his off-road motorcycle out on a familiar trail. His journey ended abruptly when he lost control and was hurled over the handlebars. He lay three hours in a ditch before help arrived
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-08-08-6Aracing_N.htm

50% of Brazilian buses for persons with disabilities-Veep
Accra, Aug. 11, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday announced that 50 per cent of buses expected from Brazil would be friendly to persons with disabilities.
http://www.ghananewsagency.org/s_politics/r_19205/

Young people with disabilities take to the skies
A group of young people with disabilities will find the sky is the limit this week when they have a free flying lesson at a Bedfordshire airfield.
http://www.communitynewswire.press.net/article.jsp?id=7013873

Disabled man films Northern Rail refusal in Manchester
Qamar Khaliq said he tried in vain to persuade the guard to get him a ramp so he could board the train
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-11065515

Disasters especially tough on people with disabilities, mental disorders
Disaster response teams should adjust for needs of victims in each disaster
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-08/apa-det082310.php

Holiday centre for disabled adults opens
A new centre offering short breaks for adults with learning difficulties and complex needs has officially opened in the capital.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-11060047


C: RESOURCES – Newsletter, Publication,Journal, Guideline,Website
Ministry of Urban Development has prepared Model Building Bye-Laws

Ministry of Urban Development is the nodal Ministry for implementation of barrier-free built environment for the disabled and elderly persons as envisaged in Section 46 of The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.
http://urbanindia.nic.in/programme/ud/promotionofnon.htm

A guide to the UN disability convention
By The Equality and Human Rights Commission
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/human-rights/a-guide-to-the-un-disability-convention/

MIW is about making the Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) WORK!
http://www.makingitwork-crpd.org/

Empowered LCD South Asia's News Letter, January 2010 - June 2010, Volume 6, No. 1
http://lcdsouthasia.org/empowered-vol6-issue1

Young Voices - Series of films on Disability
http://www.youtube.com/user/YoungVoicesLCD
http://www.youtube.com/user/YoungVoicesLCD#p/u/35/gerEmj43drw

GPDD has a new website
http://www.gpdd-online.org/.


Source E-Bulletin: Disability, Inclusion and Development
This email bulletin is a selection of 25 resources recently added to the Source collection on Disability, Inclusion & Development.
http://ctt-news.org/B8A-7M0M-5919XVMKFC/cr.aspx

D: ANNOUNCEMENTS
Third session of the Conference of States Parties (UNHQ New York)
1-3 September 2010, UNHQ New York
http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1532

First Announcement of 1st CBR National Seminar
10th & 11th Dec, New Delhi,
Theme - “CBR - Strategy for Inclusive development”
Hosted by Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) India Network
http://sites.google.com/site/cbrindianetwork/1st-national-seminar

OHCHR study on the role of international cooperation in support of the CRPD
As many of you will know already, the Human Rights Council has requested the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to develop a study on the Role of international cooperation in support of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/disability/thematic_study.htm

For previous editions of e-news visit www.cbrforum.in/news.htm
Kindly email advocacy.cbrforum@gmail.com for
- Contributing news/ events to this E-news bulletin

Disclaimer: This e-news is a collation of articles/ news from national and international sources. The contents of the same do not necessarily represent the views of CBR Forum.-

C. Mahesh
Advocacy Coordinator
CBR Forum
14, CK Garden, St. Thomas Town Post
Wheeler Road Extension
Bangalore - 560 084
Tel - 080- 2549 7387 or 2549 7388
advocacy.cbrforum@gmail.com
admin@cbrforum.in
www.cbrforum.in

"The issue is not the absence of equal rights but the inability to exercise them"
"When Policies weaken, Rights must be strengthened"

MRS BRINDA KARAT SPEECH IN RAJYA SABHA ON DISABILITY ISSUES

THANKS TO MR NAMBURAJAN(09444295994) WHO SENT THE FOLLOWING SPEECH OF mrs BRINDA KARAT sent to my mail

shared for udavikkaram readers



RCALLING ATTENTION TO DISCRIMINATION


FACED BY DISABLED

CITIZENS AND NEED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL

FRAMEWORK TO ADDRESS THEIR REQUIREMENTS

(Rajya Sabha, August 26, 2010)

SHRIMATI BRINDA KARAT (WEST BENGAL): Sir, I call the attention of the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment to the discrimination being faced by disabled citizens and the urgent need to put in place an appropriate administrative and legal framework to address their requirements.

SHRIMATI BRINDA KARAT (WEST BENGAL): Mr. Deputy Chairman, Sir, I thank you and also the Business Advisory Committee for accepting this Calling Attention Motion. I also thank the hon. Minister for his statement. I have had the occasion of meeting the hon. Minister with many delegations of people suffering from various disabilities, and, I have found him to be very sensitive and open to our suggestions. So, what I say today, Sir, is not a reflection on the Minister because I know he himself is committed to the rights of the disabled but the fact of the matter is that today in spite of our good intentions, in spite of our legal rights, and, in spite of the various declarations in support of the disabled, the disabled in India suffer from multiple areas of discrimination. I am not going into all those areas but what I want to raise before the House are the anomalies and flaws in both our approach and in the administrative and legal frameworks which we have, at present, to address this issue of blatant discrimination. Sir, the first discrimination starts from the numbers. If we look at the numbers of those who are accepted as disabled, it is a gross underestimation. This is because over the last so many years, in our Census calculation and statistical calculation, we have not had a proper sensitive approach to recognize disability, and, because we are not recognizing disability, we do not have the mechanism to count disability. I believe, today, because of the efforts of various organizations of the disabled and ongoing movements; even I myself had met the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, he has assured that there will be a separate column, and, therefore, I hope the counting of the disabled will be in a more comprehensive and something closer to the truth. The Minister, in his statement, says that according to the Census, there are 2.9 crore persons with disabilities. Sir, according to all estimates, it is not below 70 million people. There is a minimum of, at least, seven to eight crore people today in India who suffer from some form of disability, and, therefore, the correct numbers have to be assessed so that we can look at other aspects. If the counting is wrong, then, definitely, Sir, 1

the amount of allocation that we require, the policies that we require will also be in error.

Secondly, let us look at our Constitution, and, in fact, I have moved a Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, wherein I proposed that in articles 15(1) and 16(2) of the Constitution of India, where we talk about discrimination against any citizen on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or, place of birth, the word ‘disability’ should also be added.

SHRIMATI BRINDA KARAT (Contd.): The State cannot discriminate against any citizen on grounds of religion or sex or caste. This is not a semantic issue, Sir. If we do not include discrimination on the basis of disability in our Constitution, then, the legal aspect of accountability of those who discriminate against the disabled will be missing. I start with the Governments; I start with the public institutions and the ingrained attitude, we look at the disabled as objects of charity or welfare. We talk about modern India. But, unfortunately, in modern India, the civil and citizens’ rights of the disabled as equal citizens are not as rights but as charity or welfare. We are not looking at that. We have so many laws which the Minister has mentioned in his statement.

But under a single law, is any body held accountable for discrimination against the disabled? I know so many cases personally, Sir, where the disabled have gone to a public place and they have been discriminated against because of architectural barriers. They cannot enter shops; they cannot use buses, cannot even enter hospitals in some cases because the hospitals are not disabled-friendly. Who is going to be held responsible for this, Sir? Therefore, within the Constitution, accept disability as an aspect of discrimination, ensure Constitutional guarantee against discrimination against disability and make the laws accountable when there is discrimination against disability.

The third point I want to make, Sir, is that we have signed a United Nations Code which looks at disability as an issue of discrimination against the rights of citizens. But all the laws in our country still look at disability as a medical problem. It is not a medical problem, Sir. It is a problem of definition of disability. The definition of disability in our laws is far behind those because you have to look at how the functions of this or that person are impaired. Don’t look at the disabled as a homogenous group. There are different types of disabilities and within the framework of universal rights of all disabled citizens, we have to look at specific needs of specific aspects of disability related to the functioning of that individual. Within that framework, I want the Minister to come out with a categorical assurance. I am glad that they have accepted the demand of the disabled citizens for a separate law instead of going in for hundred amendments to the present law. Have a separate

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law, but all the other laws also must be in tune with the approach of rights of disabled citizens.

Another important point, Sir, is the multiplicity of authorities which are there today to deal with the disabled. I want to raise just one example of it, that is, the right to education. When you look at the right to education, and we have included it in the Right to Education Bill because, I believe, the Minister has accepted the demand of the disabled citizens, that is, the Education Minister has accepted the demand of the disabled citizens that the grave omission in the Right to Education Act which did not include disabled children in the Right to Education Act as part of the 25 per cent disadvantaged section is going to be removed. That anomaly is going to be removed. That is good. But the right to education must be seen as part of the general right to education which must come under the HRD Ministry. In the present system of things, we are looking at education as rehabilitation (Time-bell) Sir, please, I still have got three or four points to make.

MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: No, no, please conclude.

SHRIMATI BRINDA KARAT: Sir, we are having this discussion on disability after 15 years. I have been given to understand that the issue of disabled is being raised in Parliament after 15 years. So, I have to make three or four more points, Sir.

Therefore, the anomalies which are there in the present administrative structure have to be removed. The right to education should not be considered a rehabilitation measure. Therefore, education must be shifted to the HRD ministry.

SHRIMATI BRINDA KARAT (CONTD.): And, then, the schools can be held accountable. That is so-called—I quote and unquote—‘normal schools’ which is in line with the Government’s slogan of inclusive education. How can we have inclusive education unless you have proper training, unless you have proper teacher recruitment and unless you have a much lower student-teacher ratio than what we have at present? Therefore, while supporting the slogan of inclusive education, I demand that this important issue of multiplicity of different institutions can be removed only if education as a right is included in the Right to Education Bill under the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

Sir, the other important point is, a large number of disabled people are poor. Sir, in the vast rural areas of India, if you go to a village, you will find out the terrible inhuman treatment meted out to lakhs of our disabled children, single women, and particularly, the impact of disability on women, impact of disability on those who are already socially discriminated against, like the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribe citizens, etc. It is absolutely abominable. Therefore, when we look at disability, we have to look in all our 3

programmes at affirmative actions for the poor among the disabled. Why can’t we give BPL cards to all the disabled citizens? You can leave out those who do not require it. We must do that. We must ensure free ration, subsidised ration, free health treatment, free education, etc. and it is only when these universal rights are accessible to our disabled poor that we can think of a society where the slogan of equity is actually put into practice.

Sir, at the same time, I am surprised that the Minister has not mentioned the Tenth and the Eleventh Plan directions to the Government. Sir, they have said that three per cent of employment has to be for disabled. You say that you have done it. What are the figures? You say that you have included the private sector. What are the figures? Please give us the figures. The Eleventh Plan has directed that three per cent of all funds must be given as a component for the rights of the disabled. Where is it?

MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: Please conclude. There are eight more speakers.

SHRIMATI BRINDA KARAT: Sir, I am concluding. It is only ten minutes.

MR. DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: You are entitled to only seven minutes. You know about rules. I need not remind you.

SHRIMATI BRINDA KARAT: This direction of the Tenth and the Eleventh Plans of three per cent component in allocations, I am sorry to say, according to my information, is not implemented at all. And, why is it not implemented?

As far as budgeting aspect goes, just as we have gender budgeting and we have desegregation of facts and data, similarly, Sir, we need to know how much of the percentage is actually being given to the component for the disabled and after that, we can do it. (Time-bell) Sir, in conclusion, I hope, these anomalies which are there in the Constitutional, legal and administrative structures which provide the worst type of barriers for the disabled to access their rights will be removed. Identification of the disabled must be made much more simpler and a universal identity card must be provided so that disabled citizens can access his or her rights anywhere in the country. Thank you. (Ends)

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Friday, September 3, 2010

fasting by differently abled

I fully agree with the statement made by  Hon'ble CM of TN Dr Kalainzar,, The CM has announced lot of concessions , schemes and issued GOs, allocated more funds  , holding charge of the department of differntly abled. what more is reqired?  As a n activist in the field during the last 25 years, I have seen the approach and attitudes of officials towards disability issues.

Now there has been tremendous changes..... every body call us as differently abled----give respects---approach gently to our needs... try to help us... in every office---

As already wrote by me in UDAVIKKARAM , months back, Dhrna,fasting,demonsrations alone are not  the only way to reach the attention of CM and get results.
Disability activists, please listen to the call of CM, and  act
-tap