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Thursday 28 August 2014

HC to UPSC: Stick to 3% quota for disabled - PUNE

The Bombay high court has directed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the central government to stick to the 3% reservation for candidates with disabilities. The preliminary civil services examinations will be held across the country on Sunday. In another boost to the rights of the disabled, the HC directed that visually impaired candidates must be strictly given the concessions set out under the law, without any reductions.


The court directed the UPSC to consider the number of seats for disabled candidates as 39 out of the total 1,291 vacancies, instead of 26 notified for the exam. At 3% reservation, the figure would be 39, not 26, the court said, adding it has to be 1% for blind persons or persons with low vision, 1% for persons with locomotor disability or cerebral palsy, and 1% for persons with hearing impairment.


In other words, each category is entitled to have a reservation of 13 vacancies, so the total vacancies reserved for persons with disability should be 39, a bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M S Sonak said in its order on August 19.


Sujit Shinde and another visually impaired candidate had filed a writ petition challenging a May 31 notification by UPSC for the preliminary exam that provided for 26 out of 1,291 vacancies as reserved for the disabled. The petitioners had argued that this was in breach of Section 33 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.


The court also directed the UPSC to allow candidates who engage services of scribes an additional 20 minutes per hour, instead of the 10 minutes per hour provided in the exam notification. There shall also be no restriction on the educational qualification of scribes.


The high court relied on the February 26, 2013 guidelines issued by the ministry of social justice's department of disability affairs, besides the Supreme Court verdict in the National Federation of the Blind case while issuing these directives.


The petitioners had contended that the UPSC advertisement for the 2014 civil services exam had put restrictions on qualification of scribes engaged by visually impaired candidates and had provided for only 10 minutes per hour of extra time. The UPSC had said the scribe's qualification should not be higher than graduation. "Both these provisions were in breach of the department of disability affair's guidelines," they argued.


Source : TOI , 24th August 2014

Tax relief for those taking care of disabled kin on government agenda: Thawar Chand Gehlot

Tax relief for those who are taking care of persons with disabilities in their families is on the agenda of the government, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Thawar Chand Gehlot, said today.
The minister stated this at the conference of ministers of Social Welfare in states/UTs dealing with issues related to disability, according to a release here.

Listing out a seven-point agenda, Gehlot said that developing income generation models to ensure economic independence and aid to voluntary bodies was a part of it.
He also stressed on the enactment of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill and issuance of Universal IDs to all with disability to enable them to avail of the benefits of government schemes and measures.

The minister also urged the state governments to be more attentive towards improving accessibility at public buildings for persons with disabilities and also ensure easier-to- access government websites, the release added.

Urging the state governments to encourage NGOs to increase their involvement to improve the conditions of persons with disabilities, Gehlot said that they should be asked to monitor the implementation of programmes.



Source : The Economic Times , 23rd August 2014

Campaigning for the rights of the disabled in the Arab region

“Until Arab society is fully convinced that a disabled person has human rights and can be an effective member in society, I doubt that we will ever reach a point where we can confidently say that we have embraced disabled persons and accepted them as peers.” Those few words uttered by Father Badih el-Hage, General Director of Beit Chabab hospital for the disabled in Lebanon, sum up the situation of the vast majority of disabled people in the Arab world.

The difficulties for organizations like ours are equal in magnitude, as we are left alone to face the heavy financial implications related to the provision of care for the disabled, with poor, sometimes non-existent support from governments,” El-Hage said.

“Lack of financial resources means fewer staff, and at the same time there are an increasing number of people with disabilities in Lebanon and the region,” he said, “so I leave it up to you to figure out the consequences.”

El-Hage was one of the key speakers at a seminar, in Lebanon, on persons with disabilities jointly organized by the UN Human Rights Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa and the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik to promote the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Optional Protocol.

Most Arab countries have ratified the CPRD, however Nawwaf Kabbara, president of the Arab Organization of Persons with disabilities says ratification is only the beginning: “It means nothing practically, if the rights of disabled people are not enshrined within the national legislation of each and every country of the region.”

A wheelchair user himself, Kabbara described a recent journey to New York, where amenities required for a person with a physical impairment were provided.


“Then I come back here, to this part of the world, to the nightmarish obstacles for anyone attempting to get around in a wheelchair in Arab cities,” he said.

“Invisible, that’s what we are. People here forget that we exist and that we have special needs. Whatever their disability, whether it be a physical impairment, blindness, a mental disability, or anything else, people with disabilities are often invisible to the rest of society,” Kabbara said.

Maria Soledad Cisternas Reyes, chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD), said that throughout history, people with disabilities have been considered an inferior group in society, adding that around 80 percent of people with disabilities live in developing countries and that among the poorest people in the world, 20 per cent suffer from disabilities.

Participating as a keynote speaker at the seminar, Cisternas said, “ratifying the convention is only the first step towards a full, equal and effective participation and inclusion of the persons with disabilities in society.”

“The convention itself is two-dimensional: first removing the barriers, then creating conditions for the full enjoyment of rights by people with disabilities,” she said.


“It is the full responsibility of States, of society as a whole and also of people with disabilities themselves to remove the barriers that prevent the accession to their rights and development,” Cisternas said.

Panelist Amer Makarem, who chairs “Inclusion Network,” a civil society organization in Lebanon, said that there is a failure to raise public awareness about the rights and potential of persons with disabilities in the Arab world.

“There are also issues when it comes to passing disabled-friendly legislation, gathering and using information and statistics on disability, and supporting organizations for disabled people. Finally, there is a distinct lack of an effort to create an accessible physical environment for disabled people,” he said.

Abdel Salam Sidahmed, Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa of the UN Human Rights office urged Arab states to ensure disabled people are given every opportunity to become active members of society.

The roundtable discussion was organized in June at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, in Lebanon. Government representatives, academics, members of civil society as well as UN delegates all participated at the event.


Source : UN Human Rights : OHCHR ; 22nd August 2014

Rahul and Priyanka attend a function organised by Rajiv Gandhi foundation : The New Indian Express : 28th August 2014



Rahul and Priyanka attend a function organised by Rajiv Gandhi foundation















ahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra distribute cycles to the disabled persons at a function organized by Rajiv Gandhi foundatio












Collector Visits Village Office - Thiruvanthapuram

District Collector Biju Prabhakar, who visited the village office at Manacuad on Thursday, said that shifting of the office to a new building would be impractical in 60 days as per the directive of the State Commissionerate for Persons with Disability (SCPD). The SCPD had issued the directive to the district administration owing to the absence of disabled-friendly facilities at the office.


District Collector Biju Prabhakar visiting Manacaud village office following SCPD’s directive to shift the office to a new building to enable hassle-free access to disabled individuals | EXPRESS


District Collector Biju Prabhakar visiting Manacaud village office following SCPD’s directive to shift the office to a new building to enable hassle-free access to disabled individuals


‘City Express’ had carried a news report on August 18 which detailed the delayed action by district administration despite the notification from SCPD.


The Collector said that a report would be submitted to the Commissioner of SCPD, Ahemed Pillai, stating the difficulties in shifting the office and added that a new building block of the office on the same premises would resolve the crisis faced by disabled persons who approached the office.


As a temporary measure, Biju Prabhakar asked the village office officials to install a calling bell below the stairs to ensure that the office offers services to physically disabled persons. “Building a disabled-friendly ramp is also not possible here owing to space constraints; so, I would suggest a new office block here,” said Biju Prabhakar.


Ahemed Pillai, in his directive to the district administration, had criticised the delay on its part despite repeated notifications. However, he appreciated the interest shown by Biju Prabhakar to visit the office soon after receiving SCPD’s directions. “Constructing a new office facility requires time, but let the district administration submit its report. I will examine the report and in consultation with the government, necessary steps will be taken,” Ahemed Pillai told ‘Express’.


On the other government institutions where disabled-friendly facilities are absent, the Collector said that the district administration would initiate a special drive in village offices to identify such places to ensure all services to physically-disabled people. 


Source  : The New Indian Express , 22nd August 2014

A Solar Bicycle : A boon to the differently abled

Nishad Bagwade – A young man in his twenties, just passing out from his diploma in mechanical engineering had to take up a project as a part of mandatory coursework like everyone else. He did take one too. But the journey ahead of the project for this chap isn’t like others, it is different!


He wanted his project to be used for a noble cause. For a greater good.


Nishad wanted to make a hand driven bicycle for the differently abled. A vehicle that which could run with tge solar power and which would be affordable to everyone were the basic objectives of the project. With the help of fellow engineering minds in the likes of Sooraj, Pradeep, and Mahesh, Nishad succeeded in developing such a bicycle. And this bike, running at 20kph was made by the reincarnation of an old bicycle.

But the chap didn’t just stop here. He thought that a talked about bicycle shouldn’t just remain a diploma project. Thinking that the bicycle should be in the needy hands, he gifted it to Prashant Nalawde – a young man, differently abled by birth; and set up a new example in the society.

“We got emotionally attached with the bicycle. When it started for the first time – running on solar power, I still remember the moment! It is in the hands of the needy today and I am realy happy for that” Nishad says.

With the arsenal of batteries and electric motors, this bicycle is ready for Prashant who gives private tuitions to earn his bread and butter. What Nishad needs today is willing hands who can support the noble cause of making the likes of Prashant independent.


“Nishad has had the Philosopher’s Touch. I was in tenth or twelth grade. I was in a rehab from cerebral palsy. I had just learned to drive the bicycle with hands. But it would ache like hell for longer distances. Sometimes I would have to travel as much as 30-35km per day. Ascending the steeper roads would become a huge task and that would lead to chronic backache. Same story for the past decade or so. But Nishad’s bicycle did a big deal for me.


I now want to look for a good job and help run my house. This has all been possible because of Nishad’s touchstone.”


Speaking on the occasion of getting the gift, Prashant’s crumbling voice said lot more than his words did.

Source : Supanth , 25th August 2014

Top govt websites are not disabled-friendly DELHI

An estimated 70 million disabled people in India have no accessibility to the information on top government websites. This is despite Indian government's guidelines for all government websites to comply as per the international accessibility standards. "The fact that the disabled friendly society is still not a priority for the government is apparent because barely 10 states sent their ministers and half that number of secretaries to the Centre's first conference to review disability affairs," said Thaawar Chand Gehlot,the union minister for social justice and empowerment on Saturday.


Inspite of the ministry of social justice providing financial grant to make websites accessible for disabled under SIPDA (Scheme for Implementation of PWD Act), websites of key organizations like Supreme Court of India, Election Commission of India (ECI), University Grants Commission (UGC), Delhi University (DU), Jawaharlal Nehru University ( JNU), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Medical Council of India (MCI), National Human Right Commission (NHRC) and National Commission for Women (NCW) are still not disable friendly.


An activist for disabled people, Dr Satendra Singh, wrote to the ECI in December 2013 to make its website accessible for the disabled voters. On receiving no response, he complained to the court of Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities (CCPD). The ECI however did not respond to CCPD's letter or subsequent reminder as well. On July 31, 2014 CCPD again wrote to ECI to make their website disabled friendly in a time-frame and submit an action taken report in 30 days. "ECI website as of today still remains inaccessible," said Singh.







RTI replies revealed that no institute or university from Delhi ever asked for a SIDPA grant to make buildings accessible in 2010-11 and 2012-13. However, institutions and universities from states like Bihar, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Chhattisgarh have availed these grants in 2010-11, while Puducherry, Mizoram, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan in 2011-12 and Nagaland and Meghalaya in 2012-13. In another incident, DU's University College of Medical Sciences' proposal was turned down as it did not have the signature of the executive engineer.


"On one hand the ministry is saying that the funds are under-utilized but on the other hand they are turning down proposals of deserving institutions despite the principal requesting for it," added Singh.


Not all institutes who availed the grant have made their websites accessible. "MJP Rohilkhand University, Bareilly took Rs 4 lakhs to make its website accessible in 2010-11, while Puducherry was granted Rs 10 lakh in 2011-12 to make the website of the Directorate of Social welfare accessible. They are still out of reach," said Singh. MCI had asked all medical institutions to submit a compliance report on their disabled friendly initiatives, yet its own website is not as per the required standards.



"The root cause of this indifference stems from the exclusion of disabled people in policy making/ decision taking. An accessible website will not only help a person with visual impairment/ low vision but also deaf, cognitive impaired and learning disabled," said Singh. 



Source : TOI , 26th August 2014

Disability dept: In 14 yrs, only 1 commissioner completed tenure : PUNE

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The Sanyukt Apang Suraksha Samiti said that the government should appoint a person sensitive to issues to implement the schemes.
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In the last 14 years, just one Commissioner for the department for welfare of the disabled has been able to complete the mandatory three-year term, while around 25 times, officers have been transferred before tenure much to the ire of activists fighting for th cause of differently abled. Even as 10 IAS officers assumed charge, they were transferred in one or two years, with additional charge given to officials of the social welfare department.


Even as the government announced new schemes for differently abled, the officer to implement it is transferred leaving most schemes unimplemented. The one officer able to complete the term is BR Jadhav.

“After the Persons with Disabilities (Equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation) Act, 1995 came about the government formed the department in 2000. However, it seems the government is not very serious with this appointments as the commissioners are transferred immediately before they can roll out any scheme. There is much to be done and the key person who has to give sanctions is continuously transferred. This is injustice on the differently abled,” said activist Hari Shinde who has written about it to the government.

While the department has to address issues pertaining to differently abled, which include mentally challenged, visually challenged, hearing and speech impaired and persons with locomotor disability, and carry out schemes and rehabilitation, the differently abled complain that without a “steady head” to roll out these programmes, a lot of work is pending.

“By the time a commissioner takes charge and understands the issue and is about to implement the scheme, he is shifted. Even the recent transfer of commissioner DS Rajurkar was done in six months and a new commissioner has taken over,’’ points out the activist.


Even as a proposal is pending with the government since January for separate officers to implement schemes, start new initiatives and hear appeals, the government has not taken any action.
Senior officials maintain that there are requests from officials for transfer or many a time, the government decides to move the officer.

“There is an issue regarding disability commissioner not serving the full term. Activists have pointed it out to us. We will look into the matter,” said the official.


The Sanyukt Apang Suraksha Samiti said that the government should appoint a person sensitive to issues to implement the schemes.


“There is no point in appointing persons who see this as a side posting and are not committed to work,’” said a member.


From 2000, the first commissioner appointed by the state was CA Pathak who served only for two years and additional charge was given to MH Sawant. In the same year, 2002, CA Pathak was appointed and transferred within four months. He was replaced by Sonia Sethi who served only for two months followed by Dr Sanjay Chahande who served for a little more than a year.


“Most transfers happened within a year with other officials in the department or the social welfare department given additional charge,” pointed out Shinde. 



Source : The Indian Express , 27th August 2014

What This Hotel In India Is Doing For The Differently Abled Restores My Faith In Humanity


Statistics reveal that around 10% of India's population is differently abled. And most of them are unemployed.



Mr Patu Keswani, chairman and managing director of Lemon Tree Hotels, does not consider himself a visionary. But what makes him such a great human being is that apart from taking the hotel line forward, he is also interested in making the world a better place to live in.

A few years ago, he began recruiting people with disabilities. Now, many individuals with hearing and speech impediments as well as those with Down's Syndrome are employed as the staff of Lemon Tree Hotels and are doing a great job. In fact, they are loving it.


Keswani does not do this out of charity. He treats them just like normal people because he feels pity hurts their dignity. We need more people like Mr Keswani. Only then will the world become a better place for everyone.



Source : Scoop Whoop , 25th August 2014


Physically challenged woman abducted, raped : Agra

A 20-year-old physically challenged woman from Haridwar was allegedly lured on the pretext of marriage by a youth, who along with his three friends then abducted her and raped her.


In her complaint, the woman also claimed that the four accused kept shifting her from one place to another fearing that they would be caught.


The woman, who has been missing since June, was finally rescued on Sunday by the RPF posted at Firozabad railway station and reunited with her family.


According to her parents, she was missing from home in Bhagwanpur area since June. The woman's mother, suspecting the role for youths of the same locality, had filed a police complaint against Sikandar Saini, Narendra, Anil and Amarjeet on June 12.


The woman told RPF that Sikandar had lured her on the pretext of marriage and after abducting her along with his friends, he kept moving from time to time to avoid detection. She also alleged that she was raped many times by the four youths in the last two months.


She claimed that Sikandar used to introduce her as his wife at the time of taking a house on rent. He used to threaten her with dire consequences if she opposed him.


"On Saturday, the girl somehow got a chance to intimate her family members that she was in Agra, but by the time her family members reached there, all the accused had brought her to Firozabad. Fearing that they would be arrested, they left her at Firozabad railway station," said RPF in-charge Rajeev Verma.


"We have intimated the Haridwar police about the rescue. The woman has been reunited with her family," he added.



Source : TOI , Firozabad  , 25th August 2014

Surveillance Controls for the Physically Challenged

The fear of being mugged or becoming a victim of vandalistic attacks is frightening for any normal person. This fear increases several times when it is concerning a person who is incapable of taking care of themselves and defending themselves. The handicapped or the physically challenged people can be easy targets of inconsiderate acts of brutality. If you have a family member who comes under this category you will always be worried about their safety and well-being.

A criminal will never stop to think about the occupants of the house while they are on a rampage. They can even hurt your loved ones if there is any kind of resistance. It can be a very traumatic experience for your family member who is physically challenged as they watch these criminals ransack the house and inflict physical harm. Thus it is a good decision to invest in a  resilient surveillance camera with features that helps you to avoid these disturbing accidents from occurring causing you and your loved ones maximum damage.

It is always good to buy a digital surveillance camera as they have advanced capabilities. You can choose a PTZ camera that can be used both indoors as well as outdoors. These cameras are fitted with optical lens that have pan, tilt and zoom features and produce clear and sharp images. These cameras have the capacity to record sharp images of areas with poor lighting conditions or even in total darkness due to the built-in IR illuminators. Also these cameras can work perfectly well under any weather conditions. Thus they can be used effectively as outdoor security cameras at night to monitor the movements outside the house.

The PTZ cameras respond quickly in case of any break-ins or any acts of vandalism. With the help of the email notifications it can alert you instantly irrespective of your location. Thus you can set up the surveillance system and control the equipment from a remotely located PC or a handheld mobile or PDA. The images are transmitted through the internet with the help of its onboard software. There is no need to install any additional software on the local PC.

If you have any hired help to look after your disabled family member you can get the details of how he/she is treating your member in your absence with the camera footage. There is no scope for any tampering with the equipment due to its tamper detection features. The digital device can help provide reliable evidence for identifying the criminals for prosecution purposes.

These cameras can be easily mounted on ceilings and walls without any complications and there is no need for any major setups or heaps of cables. All the work is done through a single Ethernet cable. Thus a PTZ camera is a good investment if you want mental peace when you have to step out of your house leaving your physically challenged member all alone or in the care of hired help…



Source  : Flight Simulator Programs , 27th August 2014

Physically disabled Muslim girl refused admission by Delhi Government School

A physically disabled Muslim girl from Shri Ram Colony in Delhi has allegedly been denied admission by a Delhi Government School.

Nazrana, daughter of Zakir, from Shri Ram Colony, Rajiv Nagar, who is physically disabled by one leg, was allegedly denied admission to Class IX by the Rajkiya Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Khajuri Khaas, Delhi.


Nazrana with her father Zakir
                                                    Nazrana with her father Zakir


Nazrana passed Class VIII from Poorv Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Hakikatpur, Khudabas, Loni, near Delhi in UP in 2014 and possesses a valid transfer-certificate duly counter-signed by the Education officer.

The girl’s family has recently shifted to Delhi and they said that neither were they aware of the admission-tests conducted by the Directorate of Education, nor did the school guide them properly.
She approached the Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya on several occasions but they have been refusing admission on one ground or the other.

The hapless father and daughter then approached Advocate Ashok Agarwal, National President of the All India Parents Association for help, who has now written a letter to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi urging him for intervention.


In the letter, Advocate Agarwal has submitted that as a “matter of right under the RTE Act, 2009”, the girl deserves to get admission in Class-IX as she has passed class VIII and possesses valid transfer certificate. She is “entitled to automatic admission to Class IX and does not need to qualify any admission test for that purpose,” AIPA President wrote.

The AIPA President further reminded the Lt. Governor of institutional bias that students from minority and other disadvantaged communities face. “I believe that the State is conscious of the fact that the minorities face certain disadvantages in our society, which pose a hurdle in their education. The Sachar Committee report has also noted the low educational levels of the Muslim community. Moreover, the girls belonging to this minority are placed at an added disadvantage and where a girl-child is also physically handicapped, the hardships are multiplied manifolds,” Advocate Agarwal wrote in the letter.


He further added, “It should also be noted that majority of students who seek admission to government schools, as in the present case, belong to the lower economic strata of the society. Thus this girl-child is trying to overcome a multitude of hurdles in the path of her education, but the response from the Government school is far from being positive or receptive. “


Being denied admission to the school would most likely result in the child being forced out of the mainstream of education, as she has no other alternative. Such conduct on the part of this Delhi Government school is thus encouraging drop-outs instead of encouraging enrolments.


AIPA President has hence requested the Lt. Governor for itnervetion to ensure that the child is admitted to Class IX in the current academic year in Rajkiya Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya, Khajuri Khas, Delhi or any other near-by Delhi Government School at the earliest, to prevent further loss of studies to her. 



Source : Two Circles , 27th August 2014

Delhi HC seeks Centre's response on plea by disabled lady for IAS post

The Delhi High Court has sought a response of the Centre and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on a plea by a disabled woman, who cleared all rounds of the civil services exam of 2012-13, seeking allocation of IAS or Indian Foreign Service (IFS) to her under physically handicapped category.

A bench, headed by Justice S Ravindra Bhat, also directed UPSC to keep one position vacant in the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) which will be filled up subject to the outcome of the petition.
The court issued a notice to the Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievances as well as UPSC, seeking their replies in two weeks.


It also called for all the records pertaining to criteria for allocating services to selected candidates.


The order was passed on the plea of Shweta Bansal who has, in her plea, also questioned "the manner in which reservation is being effected by the Union of India, UPSC and other government and statutory authorities" in connection with the civil services.


She has alleged UPSC "failed to allocate any service to the petitioner, whereas other disabled candidates who are ranked below her have been allocated services in preference to her on completely unjustified and ex-facie untenable basis".

Bansal, who has attained a rank of 769 in the civil services exam of 2012, has contended she was recommended for service allocation by UPSC but she was not allocated a service of her choice.

She has alleged the government's manner of allocation of service is "opaque", does not provide sufficient information to aspirants like her to make an informed choice and the whole exercise is largely left to chance with merit taking a backseat.The government's medical board had certified her as both legs (BL) handicapped with a disability of 63 percent as per which she was not considered for IAS, central government's Standing Counsel Anil Soni and advocate Naginder Benipal had submitted before the court.

They also refuted Bansal's contention that only 178 of the 180 vacancies in IAS were filled as per results of CSE 2012 and two vacancies still remain.

However, the woman has submitted, in her plea, that a medical certificate which shows she is having disability only in one leg due to a childhood accident.

The lady in her plea has also sought setting aside of a recent order of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) to the extent that it did not direct that she be allocated a service of her choice.

CAT had passed the order on her plea challenging the government's decision regarding allocation of services to the selected candidates as she had not been allocated any service despite having achieved a rank of 769 in the CSE 2012.

The Tribunal, while holding the system to be faulty and directing the government to rectify the same, had directed that the applicant may be allowed to choose from any of the services in which unfilled vacancies exist in respect of CSE-2012 for the OL (one-leg disabled) category. 



Source : Zee News Via PTI , 26th August 2014


PMO’s aid for disabled Kashmiris seen as a move to win voters : JAIPUR

A move by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to give mobility and dignity to about 1,300 disabled Kashmiris is being viewed by political observers as BJP’s ploy to win over voters of Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Assembly elections.

Based on the recommendations of the Union Home ministry and the Kashmir government, PMO has given a generous grant to the Jaipur Foot organisation’s parent body Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti to organise a rehabilitation camp in Srinagar from Thursday.


The camp will provide mobility aids to 1,300 physically challenged Kashmiris.


According to D R Mehta, founder of the samiti,  the participants will be given artificial limbs (Jaipur Foot) and other aids and appliances such as calipers, wheel-chairs, and tricycles.


 He hoped the camp would make a positive impact on the people in the state and dispel fears and sense of alienation among the people of that state. A team of 12 experts and artisans led by Veerendra Raj Mehta, Executive President of the BMVSS Centre at Delhi will hold the camp with the active support of the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir. Veerendra Raj Mehta, who is a former Consultant of the Asian Development Bank in Manila, Philippines and is also a Trustee of the Mumbai Dorab Tata Trust has rich experience in holding such camp. he was instrumental in setting up a Jaipur Foot Centre at Manila with his wife Vimla Mehta when he was stationed in Manila. The Philippines ” Senate ( parliament) honoured Mehtas by presenting him the key to Manila City for the yeoman service he did for the disabled in the Philippines. Veerendra Raj . Mehta said that the BMVSS has organised three camps at Srinagar,Baramulla and Kupwara in 2012, including a camp with the help of the Indian Army along the Line of Control (LOC) thus benefiting 800 persons..”

It has been noted during our camps that the demand for the Jaipur Foot and wheel chairs and tricycles is very high in the Valley and the needy are generally poor people who are unable to afford these aids and appliances.
The position is particularly acute in the area along the LOC due to frequent shelling in districts bordering the LOC and for accidents and congenital reasons said V R Mehta.



Source
: The Free Press Journal , 28th August 2014

Dating With Disabilities

2014-08-27-KeithHeadshot.bmp
By Keith R. Murfee-DeConcini for "Voices" blog at YAI

At the end of my last blog, which was about Seeing Beyond Disability, I mentioned a social connection of mine that might progress. Since that post, my relationship has done just that, and I have spent some time thinking about dating and disability.


Online dating has made it easier for people in general to meet each other. However, living in this day and age of online connections, a double-edge sword presents itself. Every day -- the ability to be more socially connected or to be more lonely.


Someone can be anyone online -- they can be true representations of who they are in person, or they can become a digitalized recreation into some "ideal" image of themselves. As such, they can find and connect with a vast audience that is extremely diverse. Nowadays, people could meet each other in ways not possible a decade ago and in some instances, the internet can be the only way for certain people to meet.

Online connection however doesn't always meet our social needs or ward off loneliness. Loneliness can feel like one of the worst experiences in life, and hearing well-meaning sayings such as, "You must learn to love yourself before anyone else can," can only dull the often uncontrollable ache, especially if you hear it time and time again. Learning to love oneself is a lifelong journey after all.


Of course, there can always be a combination of social engagement and loneliness at the same time, especially for people with disabilities, who are often socially marginalized from their peers who don't have disabilities, or even from each other. There may be more social inclusion and acceptance through online connection today, but isolation, suspicion of and stigmatization against people with disabilities is still a problem throughout society.


Meeting Amber


I met my partner, Amber, through an online dating/social networking site. Soon after we connected, I proceeded to totally ignore her for a week when I went on a meditation retreat. You know, just how all the dating guide books tell you a great relationship should start!


Given that it is the start of a relationship, the "honeymoon phase" as it's often called, can be very passionate and exciting -- with a natural amount of uncertainty. There are a lot of hopes, fears and expectations during this "discovery stage" that may or may not come true.


At the beginning of a new relationship there is hope that the other person will accept, understand, like, and maybe even love us; the hope that they will turn out to be who we want them to be in terms of sharing our values, sense of humor, ways to spend time, etc. There are fears that neither of us will live up to these hopes. There is the expectation that we'll give each other a fair shot at finding out if we're a good match. This is a time of exploring our differences and the things we share in common. How does disability impact this?

When one partner has a disability and the other does not, which is the case for Amber and me, things can get very interesting: especially considering that we will probably have to contend with, at one point or another, not only what we are learning and feeling about each other; but with opinions and questions from others that will make us cringe.
Questions about my voice will undoubtedly come up and some people will stare. Although it hasn't happened yet, friends might ask Amber why she's with me because in their opinion, she could do so much better. After all, why would anyone want to settle for "less" than they deserve?


While this may be a common experience for anyone becoming a new couple who endures criticism of their partner from friends and family, it can be magnified for people with disabilities, who are often judged on things besides their character, values and other traits that might make them good partners. Disability is an easy target as the deciding factor of the potential success or failure of a relationship, most often failure.

These things may or may not happen, but I have faith that if two people have inner strength, level heads about them and good communication between them, then love has a chance to endure.


Cary and Melissa

Cary and Melissa are a testament to the idea of steadfast dedication in a relationship. They have been together for two years, and from them I have learned that each phase of a relationship has its ups and downs.

Several years ago, I met Cary at American University in Washington DC while taking a music course. We met in class when the teacher pointed us out to each other and the fact that we both had Cerebral Palsy -- in front of the entire class. While that introduction was an unsavory experience, it sparked a lifelong friendship.

He and I shared many things in common besides our Cerebral Palsy, chief among them our fondness for music -- and our dating woes. We always seemed to get led on by women, only to get our hopes dashed for a genuine connection. I know that this type of "leading on" or "being played" happens to people without disabilities as well and that guys do it to women, too. People with disabilities, however, are often more easily dismissed. I talked to a woman on the phone that I had met online through a dating site and the following day I asked her through a text message if my voice was what she had expected; she replied: "I expected your voice to be as handsome as you are." I am still trying to figure out if that is a compliment or not.

Cary had a number of short relationships that ended in frustration and heartbreak before he met Melissa, who had gone through similar experiences. Melissa did not have a disability, but like Cary, longed for a real and meaningful connection. They met online through a dating site and started talking. Cary mentioned on his profile that he had Cerebral Palsy and Melissa, who had no idea what that was, looked it up. She was curious about him, having been attracted to his sense of humor, and decided to take a chance by meeting him in person. That was over two years ago.


I had lunch with Cary and Melissa the other day and, after sharing their story, Cary said to me, "I think people with disabilities often have idealistic expectations of what it means to be in a relationship and what I have learned is that being in a relationship is a lot of hard work." Melissa smiled and nodded in agreement.

Things are not always easy for Cary and Melissa. Sometimes when they are out, they experience stigma and downright discrimination. One time at a bar, a man got up from his seat to go to the bathroom and when he returned to find Cary in his seat, he said to the friend he was with, "I can't believe you gave my seat to a cripple!"


This made both Melissa and Cary understandably angry and reminded them that ignorance and fear of difference unfortunately persist.


The Disability Factor


The dating dilemma that many people with disabilities find themselves in, more often than not, is that they are not given a chance to date. People without disabilities are simply not open to it. As one of my cousins pointed out to me the other night, "When people think about dating and the dating culture, they don't really think about people with disabilities, and if they do, it is often how to exclude them from dating. The thought of them [people with disabilities] dating, makes us [people without disabilities] uncomfortable." While this is not always the case, it is common enough to mention.


In some ways I understand the notion behind the fear of dating someone with a disability. There's the common misconception that the partner without a disability will end up being a caregiver more than an equal partner, and the view that disability is a weakness rather than a strength. A former partner of mine said that she thought that women were probably intimidated by my disability and what it implied about my needs as a partner, and that they did not know how to get past their fearful reaction.

Having a disability should not be a deterrent to emotional connection, especially in the romantic sense. A person with a disability might want to date someone who also has a disability, for reasons such as mutual attraction and shared understanding. Or they might want to date someone who does not have a disability for the same or other reasons.


The common assumption that two people should date because they both have disabilities, or that they are dating because they both have disabilities, is very annoying. It's like assuming that two people who are tall, for example, should date or are dating because they are tall. A person with a disability should have the freedom to date whomever they chose -- and experience the same risks of heartbreak and love and everything in between -- just like everyone else.


To be desired and to feel loved is one of the cornerstones of what it means to be human, and it should be available to everyone, regardless of difference, be it an accent, walking style, learning style or something else. Humans have had this very unhealthy obsession with sameness for far too long, and any difference has been met with fear and has been demonized as a result.

Yes, to be in a relationship with someone with a disability requires taking a chance and giving that person a chance. But the same is true in regards to any relationship. Dating someone with a disability may or may not have more, or maybe different challenges, but that does not make the relationship or the partner any less worthy of taking a risk and trying to make a meaningful connection.


It takes strong people to look beyond disability, and to have the emotional fortitude to look within to see that we all have talents, limitations and the ability to offer love.



Monday 11 August 2014

Camp for differently-abled people at DJ Halli on August 11th and 12th - Bangalore

Following the tragic but avoidable death of 6 year-old Meghala from D.J.Halli on July 17th 2013 due to malnutrition, the increased focus on the social indicators in D.J.Halli revealed a high incidence of disability in the area.  At the public hearing on 12th December 2013 at DJ Halli, several differently-abled persons shared the issues they faced with regard to access to disability pension and other schemes. The jury said that this was a human rights violation and the District disability welfare officer (DDWO) for Bangalore urban, Mr. G. Mohan promised to do a survey within the next two months to ascertain the needs of the community.

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The District Disability Welfare Office is organizing a camp for the differently-abled, to ensure immediate needs of differently-abled people at DJ Halli are met.
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While this promise was not met, repeated reminders from the community members and volunteers ensured that the survey finally took place for 12 days between June 9th and July 1st, 2014, after a delay of almost 5 months. With the disability department providing only around 2 or 3 surveyors on any given day, even best efforts of the community members could not ensure 100% coverage of D.J.Halli. Consequently, the survey has missed many differently-abled persons. According to the estimated incidence of disability (~ 4 -5%), for a combined population of one lakh across wards 47, 48 and slum portions of ward 61, it was expected that at least 4000 differently-abled persons will be enlisted. As against that, only 733 differently-abled people were enlisted on the conclusion of the survey.

 
Following up on the survey, the District Disability Welfare Office is now organizing a camp for the differently-abled, to ensure the immediate needs of the hundreds of differentlyabled surveyed are met. Government doctors will be a part of the camp and will screen and diagnose common disabilities such as hearing loss, vision loss, locomotor handicap, mental retardation and mental illness and issue medical certificates. At the camp, the differently-abled will also be able to apply for their disability certificates, disability pension, and any aid devices, such as crutches, wheelchair and hearing aids, which will be distributed by the government at a later date.


This camp will take place on August 11th and 12th 2014, at the Kannada School near the D.J.Halli PHC (Primary Health Center, locally referred to as the Maidan Hospital), from 10 am to 5 pm, and will be supported by the Movement for Basic Rights, D.J.Halli.

 
 
The content is provided by Karthik Ranganathan on behalf of Movement for Basic Rights and has been published as is, under the Message Forward section, a space meant for non-profit messages by individuals and organizations.




Source : Citizen Matters , 11th August 2014

Swayamvaram’ to be held for differently abled - MADURAI

A ‘swayamvaram’ (selection of spouse) for the differently abled will be held here on August 17 in which persons without any disabilities can also participate. It is being organised jointly by Federation of Tamil Nadu Differently Abled Associations and Shree Geetha Bhavan Trust, Chennai, which will host the event.


Addressing a press meet here on Sunday, general secretary (Southern) of the Federation S. Boopathy said this initiative, which was first taken up in 2009, would help the differently abled lead a normal life. The couples would also be provided medical counselling, gifts and substantial assistance besides guidance during the first few years of their marriage.


“This event is being held in five cities this year. We are providing this service free of cost and without involving any middleman. Caste is no bar for this swayamvaram,” he noted.



The selected couples would be given counselling by professionals from the field of law as well as gynaecologists, psychologists and general physicians later, and the marriages would be performed in Chennai on November 6, and registered under the Hindu Marriages Act and the Special Marriages Act.



Those willing to participate should collect the form from South Zone Office of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Differently Abled Associations, 17w/11 and 12, Veerapuzhavar Colony, Jawaharpuram, Madurai, or S. Boopathy, B.69/13, Racecourse Colony, Madurai, and submit it by August 16. Shree Geetha Bhavan Trust would provide gold thali chain and bear the marriage expenditure. Further information could be obtained from Mr. Boopathy at 96004 50676 or K.J.T. Pushparaj at 99422 17941.




Source : The Hindu , 11th August 2014

New financial scheme for differently abled students in Sikkim

Sikkim government has framed a new financial scheme for the benefit of differently-abled students in an effort to enable them to avail education and secure a meaningful livelihood, an official said on Monday.

Students with disabilities can now avail scholarship from the government under this new scheme - the 'Sikkim Grant of Scholarship to Students with Disabilities Scheme, 2014'.

The objective of this scheme, is to assist the differently-abled students to secure academic education and technical or professional training; this is further intended to enable them to earn livelihood and become useful members of  society, the official said.

As per the new scheme, framed by the Social Welfare Department, all categories of the local underprivileged and differently-abled students who are pursuing education within or outside the state, but within the country, are eligible to avail the scholarship.

The primary mode of distribution of scholarship is through Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme but can be altered as per the decision of a competent authority. Apart from the financial benefit, the differently-abled students will also be entitled for free textbooks including special books, uniforms and other materials by the HRD Department.

As per the norms of the scholarship the claiming student should be in the age group of 5 years and above and should be suffering from not less than 40 per cent disabilities. The student must be a regular student of a recognized institution.



Source : IBN7 , 4th August 2014

Rights of PWDs discussed - Kangpokpi ( Manipur )

A One day Advocacy Seminar on the Rights of Persons with Disability was organized at Yaikongpao village in Sadar Hills Senapati district today.

The Advocacy Seminar was organized by All Disabled Union Sadar Hills (ADUSH) in collaboration with Manipur North Economic Development Association (MANEDA) and was attended by various civil society leaders, church leaders and village authorities apart from 30 disabled people.

Speaking on the occasion Ahen Chongloi, ADUSH President, encouraged the disabled participants' not to lament over their physical disorder but participate in every social activity which are within their capability.



MANEDA Project Officer Mangboi Singsit elaborated on how MANEDA has been assiduously work for the development of the disabled society within Senapati District while Th.Johnson Kaikho, Advisor of Senapati Disabled Peoples' Association Manipur (SDPAM) and All Disabled Union Sadar Hills (ADUSH) highlighted the Rights of Persons with Disability, Scheme available for them during the seminar.



While calling upon the participants to support and cooperate with the disabled organizations, Kamlienlal Guite, General Secretary of ADUSH assured that the organization will undertake every necessary activity for the development of the disabled society.


Source : E-Pao , 9th August 2014

After month of war, Gaza's disabled face shortages, isolation

The attack came from the air in the afternoon, smashing Jamal Doghmosh's Gaza workshop to pieces, pitting his chest with shrapnel and severing his left arm.

A Palestinian man looks at debris and a damaged car following what witnesses said was an Israeli air strike on a nearby house, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip August 10, 2014. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
A Palestinian man looks at debris and a damaged car following what witnesses said was an Israeli air strike on a nearby house, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip August 10, 2014
__________________________________________________


When the 48-year-old Palestinian mechanic woke up in hospital, he could not hear properly and found that three fingers from his right hand were also gone.


"It is not possible for me to work without my hands," he said from his hospital bed in Gaza City, three days after the Israeli army bombed his district.


He is one of thousands of Palestinians who have been left physically disabled by the conflict with Israel in the Gaza Strip, which began on July 8 after a surge in Palestinian rocket salvoes into the Jewish state.


Authorities in tiny, densely populated Gaza say 1,890 Palestinians have been killed and at least 9,000 wounded by Israeli air strikes and shelling, a toll worse than the last two bouts of war combined, dating to 2008-09. Israel says 64 of its soldiers and three civilians have been killed.


Israel says Hamas, which controls the narrow coastal enclave, is to blame for the plight of Palestinians because it uses residential districts as launch pads and arms depots.


With limited access to rehabilitation facilities and prosthetic limbs, life as a physically disabled person in the impoverished and blockaded Gaza Strip is especially bleak.


The territory's crowded, uneven streets are no place for a wheelchair, there are few jobs for people with disabilities and little psychiatric support.


"The majority stay in bed, they have bedsores, they do not have sufficient medical care. They need physical and psychological rehabilitation," said Rafeek Zant, manager of a private company supplying medical equipment like prosthetics and wheelchairs in Gaza and the West Bank.


The Israeli-Egyptian blockade on goods into Gaza led to severe shortages of medical supplies even before the current, month-old war, humanitarian organisations say.


It has prevented most people with amputations from being fitted with artificial limbs because Gaza lacks the equipment for testing and making them, Zant said.


Only a small number of Palestinians manage to travel abroad to be fitted, and the process is long and difficult. Some try old-fashioned stiff limbs but give up after a couple of months and opt for a cane, walker or wheelchair instead, he added.


"The borders are closed and they stay without limbs here in Gaza forever," he said.


Handicap International, a global charity which operates in Palestinian territories including the West Bank, says Gaza's hardships make psychiatric help vital for the disabled.


"It is one thing to give someone a prosthesis and learn how to walk again but it is another to make him accept his new condition," said Guillaume Zerr, head of the charity's Palestinian operations.


"Especially with the trauma of the conflict and the trauma of war, there is a tendency to reject their situation."
Disabled people may face added isolation because there can be less acceptance of their condition than in other regions of the world, he said. The charity also worries that physically disabled people may struggle to evacuate before attacks.


"THERE WERE JUST SO MANY"


Before the conflict, there were already between 100,000-200,000 handicapped people in the Gaza Strip out of a population of 1.8 million, Zerr said, citing local and international statistics which vary depending on definition.


The latest conflict has added many more physically disabled: surgeons working in two of Gaza City's main hospitals estimate that around 80 percent of the patients they treated will not fully recover.


"There were just so many," said surgeon Masooud Haji, rubbing his forehead. He saw between two to three amputation cases per shift during the past month at Quds Hospital in Gaza City, around half of them children.


"They were nearly all civilians, 90 percent, with no connections to Hamas. One man I operated on had lost not only limbs, but his wife, his child and his house."


Upstairs at the hospital, Khalid Khattab wheeled his 8-year-old son Ibrahim into a ward. His other son was also wounded, but it was Ibrahim who was the more severe case.


"He was just playing in the street with his brother and there was an aircraft missile," Khalid said, looking down at his child, slumped asleep in the wheelchair with his amputated, bandaged left knee sticking out beneath a blanket.


Medical care staff have also been especially at risk, with bombardments on medical facilities and a centre for the disabled, making rehabilitation even more difficult.


A small number of wounded Palestinians have been able to cross into Israel for treatment. There have been 144 ambulance transfers into Israel through the Erez border crossing since July 8, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.


Palestinian ambulance driver Akram al-Awour hopes to go abroad for treatment. He was trying to collect injured civilians in Gaza late last month when he was caught in a missile strike.


"When the projectiles fell, I saw bodies on the ground...There were a lot of shouts and calls for help. But I felt immediately that my leg was amputated and that I had other injuries and deep wounds," the 39-year-old said.


He tried to administer first aid on himself, making a tourniquet out of a bandage from his pack. "I was very shocked," he said, his voice breaking.


"I hope to go abroad because my injuries are bad and my mind is also damaged," he said as his 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son played around his hospital bed.


"I was saved from death, in the same incident more than 20 were killed and more than 170 wounded," he said.


Across town, Jamal Doghmosh, the mechanic, echoes this sentiment. He is weak and will be handicapped for the rest of his life but he is grateful it was not worse. "When I awoke I thought, praise to god I am still alive, despite my injuries."



Source : Reuters , 10th August 2014

Plastic-free project at mental health centre - Kozikhode


NSS volunteers from Providence Women's College with the support of the Niravu, a residents' forum, collect plastic waste from the premises of the Government Mental Health Centre at Kuthiravattom on Saturday. Photo: K. Ragesh


NSS volunteers from Providence Women's College with the support of the Niravu, a residents' forum, collect plastic waste from the premises of the Government Mental Health Centre at Kuthiravattom on Saturday
_______________________________________________________________________________


‘Niravu’, a Vengeri-based residents’ forum functioning with the support of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), on Saturday, launched its Zero Budget- Zero Waste project at the Kuthiravattom Government Mental Health Centre.

The project, implemented with the cooperation of National Service Scheme volunteers, would strive to ensure a plastic-waste-free environment at the Mental Health Centre. To mark the launch, over 100 NSS volunteers and 26 members of ‘Niravu’ collected plastic waste from the hospital premises and segregated it to send to a recycling unit.


Project coordinators said a convenient space had been allotted at the hospital to keep the segregated plastic materials, including syringe, covers, bottles and glasses, and move them on a monthly basis to the recycling units. “On the inaugural day, we collected over 50 sacks of plastic waste from the compound,” they said. The residents’ forum, with its network with various recycling units in Kerala and outside, would move the segregated waste for recycling on a monthly basis. The cost of transportation would be met through the sum received as revenue though the trade of segregated waste.


“For the past eight years, we have been implementing the Zero Budget, Zero Waste scheme in various locations. Currently, it is under way at the Karipur International airport and three other wards of the Kuruvattor grama panchayat,” said Babu Parambath, one of the coordinators of the project. He said it would be shortly launched on the Indian Institute of Management-Kozhikode campus and the National Institute of Technology-Calicut.


Five recycling units, including one from Erode in Tamil Nadu, have already contacted Niravu authorities for permission to collect the segregated plastic waste on a regular basis from various locations. Coordinators said the proper segregation process of plastic waste would certainly attract buyers. 


Source : The Hindu , 10th August 2014

Enabling Pakistan's disabled requires more than a tax-cut : By Omair Ahmad Via Avinash Shahi

Taxation without representation - is a phrase that has echoed through
centuries, notably as a statement of resistance against colonialism
and more recently visible as a tagline by aggrieved residents of a
certain district. As a quiet manifestation of discontent, it exists in
geographical, cultural, ethnic, linguistic, religious and perception
biases - both figuratively and literally.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1119175

When it comes to being ostracised, people with disabilities are no
strangers, having borne the brunt of perceptional bias as one of the
largest statistical minorities in the world.

According to The World Health Organisation (WHO) - 10 to 15 per cent
of the world's population are people with disabilities, of this number
80 per cent are found in the developing world.

In Pakistan, more than 18 million are people with disabilities, a
figure that is nearly the population of Karachi - one of the biggest
cities in the world.

A person with disabilities has had little to no representation in a
national dialogue on the issues that continue to plague Pakistan as a
nation - barring the 1981 Ordinance passed that sought to cosmetically
address some of the issues. Our architecture continues to be
inaccessible, population unaware, policy framework inadequate and
economic empowerment non-existent for people with disabilities.

Pakistan's federal budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year has endeavored
to address some issues related to people with disabilities -
specifically a reduced tax liability for people with disabilities. The
paraphrased verbiage is appended below:

To encourage employment of people with disabilities and to provide
relief to them it is proposed to reduce tax liability of such persons
on income up to Rs. 1 million by 50 per cent, provided that they have
a Special CNIC and a disability certificate.

While the tax provision is a step in the right direction, a lot more
needs to be done to fundamentally impact the fabric of that segment of
our society which has tremendous potential. Statistics for employment
and education of people with disabilities in Pakistan make for dire
reading and reflect why this tax break will only be beneficial for a
fraction of those it is designed for.

About 28 per cent of the population of people with disabilities are
educated of which only 14 per cent (or about three out of a 100 people
with disabilities) are employed. Similarly only four per cent of
Pakistan's children with disabilities have access to education.

Why is education for the disabled important?

Imagine what a 97 per cent unemployment and 96 per cent illiteracy
rate will lead to in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad,
Hyderabad, Quetta or Peshawar.

Statistical reminders notwithstanding, when a society no longer
equates disenfranchised citizens with a lifelong narrative, but merely
as a ticker for ratings or a sympathetic momentary glance in passing -
its existential crisis deepens.

While the situation is dire, it is not irreversible since integrative,
sustainable, and empathetic work is being done in pockets, dotted all
over the country. To enhance the impact manifold, an effective
national network is needed to connect the erstwhile disconnected dots.

A framework should be established addressing the core issues faced by
people with disabilities so that they can be integrated into
mainstream society - from education to healthcare to transport to
employment to infrastructure.

For example, minimum quotas for employment for people with
disabilities should not be treated as a maximum benchmark, rather as a
springboard for further inclusion. Inclusive education should be
encouraged to bridge the yawning gap between societal requirements and
skilled provisions.

For a person with a disability, the procurement of a Special CNIC and
a disability certificate are strenuous and long processes, given the
inaccessibility of services and locations; making this process easier
and accessible should be the responsibility of NADRA.

To ensure accountability, ownership of this nation-wide framework at
the district, city, tehsil, provincial and federal level needs to be
clearly defined so that people with disabilities have vocal and
effective representation and their voices resonate from the grassroots
to the uppermost echelons of power.



A nation and its people are only as strong as their disenfranchised
are integrated, individuals aware, infrastructure accessible, and
policies incl


-- 
Avinash Shahi
Doctoral student at Centre for Law and Governance JNU



Source : Access India 

Dating social network for persons with disability

Excellent thing there are internet sites that permit dating for handicapped persons. These websites show a possibility for people with impairment to mingle and possibly fulfill the person whom they are predestined to fulfill.


Among such websites is this internet site. Right here you can satisfy your possible life partner by entering the handicapped dating chat space. You can have the option of conference people who have various sort of disabilities. There are talk spaces particularly for a specific group of individuals with impairment. This is done make sure that there is no stigma that will be felt by the people in the chat room. In these chatroom you can have the chance to meet disabled people with whom you can link.


When you enter a website made for individuals with handicap, it does not mean that you are looking for a life partner. Often individuals with handicap discover it difficult to connect with able bodied people due to the fact that able bodied individuals tend to look at them with pity.


Some individuals when they become aware of the word dating for disabled person site they promptly think of an amputee dating internet sites that brandish amputee females image. There are members of the internet site that are amputees, this dating site goes beyond that category.


Some members of the websites are not physically handicapped. Some have actually ended up being handicapped since of depression. Dating sites for persons with disabilities are not likewise just confined to wheelchair dating service. It can likewise be for people who are physically well however are clutched with emotional disabilities.


There are numerous benefits in enrolling in websites for individuals with disability. In these internet sites anyone can chat and fulfill to people who can understand them. These internet sites likewise assist develop a person's self confidence. Some people have ended up being better persons because of these websites. Since of these sites, they were able to feel like they are who they are again.


Before registering for an internet site for individuals with impairment, initially read the site's disabled dating review. You need to see to it that you register in a legit site dating services to protect yourself. There are internet sites that do not think of their members' well-being so you need to ensure that you do not land in any of these internet sites.


In conclusion, everybody has the right to be date, it does not matter if they are disabled or able. For individuals with handicap, one way to develop their confidence in dating is to go to sites for dating for handicapped individuals.


Your soul mate can be waiting you right here: www.abletolove.com


Great thing there are sites that permit dating for disabled individuals. One of such websites is this site. Dating internet sites for individuals with impairments are not also simply confined to wheelchair dating service. Prior to signing up for an internet site for individuals with handicap, first reviewed the website's handicapped dating review. There are internet sites that do not think of their members' welfare so you have to make sure that you do not land in any of these sites.  



Source : Edupedia , 8th August 2014


Job fair shortlists 140 people with disabilities - Bhubaneshwar

As many as 140 physically challenged people were shortlisted by different companies during a job fair for persons with disabilities (PWD) held at the Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for the Handicapped (VRCH) here on Friday.

A large number of institutes and employers from various sectors came forward to provide equal opportunities to persons with disabilities.


"In view of the kind of response we got during our first job fair a few months back, we decided to conduct another fair. The companies first scrutinize the applications on the basis of educational qualification and skills and call the applicants as and when vacancies are there," said Ram Kishore Sharma, assistant director, VRCH.


He further added that sensitization among public as well as employers was growing. "Before organizing the job fair we had conducted an interface with the industries and invited some persons who have successfully overcome their disabilities and are performing like anyone else at their respective places of work," Sharma added.


Chief secretary of Odisha G C Pati interacted with employers and appreciated the joint efforts of the organizers. He appealed to the corporate world to participate in a big way by hiring PWDs. "Self-employment orientated training should be provided to those PWDs who are not employable due to genuine reasons like age, poverty and literacy level."


Women and child development secretary Arti Ahuja said, "Under mission employment, the state government has sanctioned Rs 64 lakh out of which Rs 32 lakh has already been released. VRC has been imparting self-employment orientated training to 280 PWDs in trades like tailoring, domestic appliances repairing, computer and soft skills every year."


The job fair was jointly organized by VRCH, the directorate for welfare of PWDs, and Sarthak Education Trust, a Delhi-based voluntary organization. As many as 500 locomotors and hearing impaired persons participated in the job fair.


According to the 2011 census, Odisha has about 12.44 lakh persons with disabilities.



Source : TOI , 10th August 2014

NCE stands up for rights of physically challenged

The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan has developed a list of changes that are necessary to make in the draft law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On making amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on rights of physically challenged people.” Rights of people with disabilities in the entrepreneurship are in the focus.




So, following measures to encourage the participation of business in support of persons with disabilities have been proposed during the meeting  of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs: reimbursement for job creation, which are provided for the employment of persons with disabilities; providing subsidies for wages, which make up the difference in labor productivity of persons with disabilities; providing additional subsidies for the conversion of jobs and after the training; providing subsidies to encourage employers to retain disabled jobs.


"In addition, the member of the NCE Presidium, Chairman of the Committee of social sphere and social partnership noted that it was time to modernize the specialized enterprises. In this regard, it is necessary to work out a program of development of such enterprises, which will contribute to solve the problems of the disabled," palata.kz informs.


Source : kazakhstan 2050 , 9th August 2014