From the States

Bangalore

Guwahati

Hyderabad

New Delhi

National Convention for the Deaf-Blind

In a three-day national convention for the adult deaf-blind (13- 16 of July 2005) about 40 deaf-blind individuals aged 18 to 42 years and their sign-language interpreters from 12 states, belonging to the nationwide-movement Udaan, held the convention to chalk out an action plan for this year.

The key issues addressed in the convention were:
  • Preparing a personal action plan for all the members.
  • Pressing for legal recognition of deaf-blind as a unique and different category of disability in the Indian constitution and in the People with Disabilities Act, 1995.
  • Working out ways to ensure that their fundamental rights are respected.
"The deaf-blind have been excluded from welfare, educational and employment," says Sumitra Mishra, programme manager for Ahmedabad based Sense International India, which is jointly organizing the convention with National Association for the Blind, Karnataka, as a follow-up to the first convention in early 2005.

Members noted that organizations like NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) do not allow deaf-blind candidates in their Secondary School Examinations, citing lack of communication facilities. "The deaf-blind are not recognized as multiple-disabled, resulting in complications. For instance, they have to separately apply for deaf and blind certificates with the government," explains Dr.Saroj Ramachandran, president, NAB-Karnataka.

Though no official national or regional statistics are available, about 4.25 lakhs in the country are believed to be deaf-blind.

Only a tiny percentage of this group manages to earn a livelihood, that too thanks to support from NGOs.

The convention would also come up with specific issues to highlight before Parliament on World Disability Day (December 3), where Udaan is to make a representation.

Source: Adult deaf-blind meet to chalk action plan, Deccan Herald, Bangalore, 15 July 2005

Top

The Volunteer brigade for SSA

For 11-year-old Prakash, the idea of going to his 'government school' on Airport Road was a painful experience. The reason: he is an epileptic and his friends call him 'fitsy'.

But on July 12, a miracle happened and going to school did not seem a hideous exercise anymore. His angels were a group of physically challenged children who convinced his classmates and seniors that such special children should be given a fair chance before they were written off. Prakash is not alone. Hundreds of children studying in various government schools are looking at the motley of 10 physically challenged volunteers with awe as they are now being called by their names instead of taunts like 'Kunta' and 'Kuruda'.

This brigade is the wheel on which the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) project in Bangalore is implementing its clause about focusing on children with special needs in elementary schools. More than 100 government schools in and around Bangalore will be covered under the month-long project ending July 31.

Shrusti, a City-based art foundation, has been roped in as partner to implement the project.

According to Project Co-ordinator Lakshmi Hariharan, each of the 10 volunteers demonstrate through the medium of art like skit, dance and drama on educating students and teachers about the importance of treating disabled students as 'normal' kids.

"Very often, teachers and normal children are at a loss on the need to treat disabled children well. So we go from school to school imparting this information," she said.

The opening sequence where a physically challenged child is treated in a shabby manner in his home by frustrated parents is followed by a caliper-ridden child performing cartwheels are some of the devices being used in the demonstration.

Source: Making school 'special' for special children, Deccan Herald, Bangalore, 15 July 2005.

Top

AADPA launches stir from July 25

Frustrated over the alleged apathetic attitude of the State Government towards addressing the various grievances of the physically challenged, the 'All Assam Disabled Persons' Association (AADPA) has decided to re-launch its protest from July 25.

"Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had come to a written agreement twice with the AADPA on April 1, 2003 and on March 23, 2004 in which the State Government assured to fulfill various demands of the physically challenged people of Assam and provide some facilities currently enjoyed by the disabled from the other states of the country," said Pabitra Barman, president and Rahmin Badsha Ahmed, general secretary of the AADPA.

According to Ahmed, the government has not kept any of the promises it made to the disabled forcing them to hold an agitation. On behalf of his organization, Ahmed has sought support from one and all, including the intellectuals, for the struggle of the physically challenged.

It may be recalled that last year, in protest of their demands not being met, despite an inked agreement between the government and AADPA, hundreds of disabled agitators had stormed the capital complex at Dispur and thrown the traffic out of gear.

Source: Physically challenged to re-launch stir from July 25, The Sentinel, Guwahati, 16 July 2005.

Top

Misuse of facilities at Secunderabad railway station

The newly introduced waiting hall for physically challenged at Secunderabad railway station is being misused. While the place was specially allotted to disabled passengers, most of the time the space is occupied by non-disabled persons and sometimes even by the railway employees.

As part of the special measures for disabled rail passengers, the South Central Railway renovated a waiting hall with several basic amenities such as wheel-chairs, non-slippery floors, spacious circulation, broad entrance, drinking water, retrofitted toilets and resting seats.

The physically challenged are entitled to use these facilities absolutely free of cost for about two hours, provided they possess valid journey tickets. The authorities permit one person as escort for each disabled passenger.

Besides, the facilities are also open for senior citizens and at any point of time one railway attendant is supposed to be there for assistance.

Asked about the influx of disabled passengers, the waiting room attendant who is also disabled himself, says that on an average nearly five to six handicapped passengers use the facilities, but has no comment to make about the misuse!

Source: Hall for disabled used by normal people, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, 14 July 2005.

Top

Religious places - ramps for disabled

Gurudwaras are now disabled friendly. Over the past few months, ramps have been built in almost all gurudwaras and and lifts have been installed by the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee at Bangla Sahib and Rakab Ganj for the convenience of the disabled and senior citizens.

The president of the committee Mr. Paramjeet Singh Sarna, said," The decision to install these facilities for disabled and senior citizens was taken to eliminate their problems in climbing stairs. In fact, almost all gurudwaras in the Capital have been made disabled friendly."

The chief executive engineer of the committee, Mr. Param pal Singh said, "We built these ramps as per the suggestions made by the committee. Also we have a total of five ramps at Bangla Sahib and three at Guru Nanak Sewak."

With the installation of these ramps and lifts, the DSGMC hops that religious places will consider making the House of God become physically more accessible for disabled and senior citizens.

Source: Gurudwaras now disabled-friendly, The Statesman, New Delhi, 15 July 2005.

Top

Cabinet's decision for war-disabled pensioners

The Union Cabinet decided to exempt war-disabled pensioners, who are war survivors from payment of contribution to ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme and for free medical treatment. The decision seeks to provide comprehensive medical care to around 6,000 disabled pensioners and dependants on the pattern of CGHS free of cost.

A scheme for free medical treatment for-disable ex-servicemen, contribution of a Chancery, residences and common community facilities for the Embassy of India in Kathmandu within the India House Estate and an assistance of Rs 1,984 crore to Bhutan for its 10th plan has already been approved by the Union Cabinet.

The cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), in its meeting on 16th October, 2002, had considered a note by the Defence Ministry urging it to provide comprehensive medial care to ex-servicemen, war widows and their dependents and approved the proposal for introduction of ECHS.

Based on its approval, the ECHS was introduced with effect from April 1,2003. The scheme envisages setting up of 227 polyclinics at 104 military and 123 non-military stations.

The scheme also provides for empanelment of hospitals and diagnostic centres to which the patients to which the patient can be necessary.

The CGHS is a contributor health scheme on the pattern of CGHS with the contribution varying from Rs 1,800 to Rs 18,000 depending on the pension /family pension. It is compulsory for retired personnel with effects from April 1, 2003.

Those who had retired prior to this date have been given time till March 31,2008,to exercise their option. The scheme would become fully operational in 2008, the release said, adding it has already become functional with 162 polyclinics set up in Army clinics/ Temporary structures.

The CCS in its meeting on 19 December 2003 said that war widows were exempted from paying contribution for joining ECHS.

In another decision, the Cabinet approved the construction of a Chancery, residences and common community facilities for the Embassy of India in Kathmandu within the India House Estate at a cost of Rs 125.36 crore.

At present, the embassy offices in Kathmandu are located in old barrack type, dilapidated structures scattered all over the India House Estate in an unplanned manner. "There is an urgent need to replace these as they also pose potential security risks," an official release said. The release also stated that the construction of the Chancery complex will mean a saving of 104 crore per annum on rent paid for hiring residences and library-cum-reading room.

The Cabinet also approved an assistance package of Rs 1,984 crore for the 10th plan of Bhutan, which includes a project tide assistance of Rs 734 crore. The assistance is for the period July 2002 to June 2007 and would be funded from the non-plan Budget of the Ministry of External Affairs.

The amount approved also comprises direct subsidy of Rs 710 crore and other subsidies and refunds of Rs 540 crore.

The decision will lead to generation of opportunities for Indian companies to participate in Bhutan's major projects. It will strengthen India-Bhutan relation based on the country's strategic and economic interests in the area of high geo-political sensitivity.

The aid will strengthen goodwill for India in Bhutan by fulfilling the existing commitments. India has extended support to Five Year Plans of Bhutan since their inception in 1961.

Source: Free Medical Treatment for Disabled Ex-servicemen, The Pioneer, New Delhi 15 July 2005. War-disabled ex-servicemen need not pay for health scheme, decides Cabinet. The Hindu, Delhi, 15 July 2005. Disabled pensioners need not pay for health scheme. SNS, New Delhi, 15 July 2005. Yudh viklang pensiondhari sainik ko muft chikitsa. Rajasthan Patrika, Jaipur, 15 July 2005. Relief for war disabled pensioners. The Tribune, Chandigarh, 15 July 2005. Yudh mein apahij sainiko ko milengi swasth suvidhayen. Dainik Jagran, New Delhi, 15 July 2005. Apang jawano ko milegi ni:shulk chikitsa seva. Rashtriya Sahara, New Delhi, 14 July 2005. Free medicare to war disabled. National Herald, New Delhi, 15 July 2005. Yudh viklang pensioneron ko muft chikitsa suvidha. Punjab Kesari, New Delhi, 15 July 2005.

Top

Release of educational materials

Meira Kumar (Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment) released a compilation of judgments delivered by courts, entitled "Judgment on Disability issues: Case Digest, 2005" on 12 July at Vigyan Bhawan. This publication was brought out by the office of Chief commissioner for persons with disability, and contains20 judgments of SC, 56 high court and 4 of CAT Benches pronounced since 1930 to 2004. It brings out the evolution of law over a period of almost 75 years of its kind with the aims of providing a reference for quicker delivery of justice to persons with disability.

Other title released were Tele-Training Modules for Teachers on Inclusive Education, Module on Management of Children with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental retardation and Multiple Disabilities and also the Findings of the Study on Status of Education of Children with Disabilities in India with special reference to the girl child.

Source: Govt to frame policy for the disabled soon. The Times of India, New Delhi 14 July 2005. Government to bring out National policy for persons with disability. The free press journal, Mumbai, 13 July 2005. National policy for the differently-abled. The Hindu, Chennai, 13 July 2005.

Top