Course on Disability Studies in Schools

The Karnataka State Government is likely to introduce study of disabilities as a subject in high school to educate children on causes and effects of various forms of disabilities so that their incidence could be reduced through early detection. The subject is also intended to sensitise students to the rights of disabled persons. Nearly 10 percent of the population is of the population in India is estimated to be disabled and the rural population is the worst hit due to various reasons including lack of awareness, superstition, social stigma and inaccessible medical facilities. Bringing the subject under the school curriculum will help a great deal in checking disability among future generation, according to Ms Meera C Saksena, Secretary, Department of Primary and Secondary Education and Commissioner for Disabilities.

Public awareness campaigns have helped in the early detection of diseases such as polio and curable blindness. Disabilities can be prevented through education and awareness among students and teachers.It also helps in educating children about the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection, Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995 thereby avoiding discrimination against disabled persons.

The other schemes on which action is being taken:

National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation provides financial assistance up to Rs 20 lakh for disabled persons for self-employment schemes. The corporation channelises money through a nodal agency, which will also be responsible for the recovery of loans. But, unfortunately, disabled persons in the State are not availing themselves of the facilities as none of the financial institutions are evincing interest in becoming the nodal agency fearing to take up the responsibility of loan recovery. Tthe Karnataka State Finance Corporation is being persuaded to assume the role of a nodal agency and also hold a meeting with the principal finance secretary to discuss the issue.

Under the National Trust Act 2000, 12 district committees comprising a disabled person and a representative from an NGO and headed by a deputy commissioner of the respective districts, have been formed to appoint guardians for children suffering from autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. In this regard the Office of the Commissioner for Disabilities has written a letter to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment requesting inclusion of autism in the PWD Act. There are a lot of autistic children whose rights need to be protected. Hence, the Karanataka State government is developing an action plan for autism and have also formed a pressure group to follow up the issue.

Source: Study of disabilities likely in State school curriculum. The Deccan Herald. November 30, 2001, Bangalore, India