---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: avinash shahi <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 21:58:04 +0530
Subject: president prtibha patil's speech on world day for disableds
To: [email protected], [email protected]
.
Posted By: parrykaumo
Government of India
Presidents Secretariat
03-December-2010 16:14 IST
Speech by her Excellency the President of India
Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil at the Presentation of the National Awards for
the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to participate in the presentation ceremony of the National
Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, on the occasion of the
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 2010. Today, we honor those
individuals and institutions who have overcome the enormous odds posed by their
disabilities, to excel in various fields. I am impressed to see their
determination, hard work and enthusiasm. I feel they are more effective than
many abled persons. We also honour those who have made outstanding contribution
towards empowerment of persons with disabilities. It is an appropriate occasion
to reflect on our collective endeavors in creating an inclusive society, in
which every member of the society, including persons with disabilities enjoy
equal opportunities and are able to develop to their fullest potential.
World over there is awareness that this issue requires focus. Recently, during
my State visit to Syria, I visited AAMAL an institution for differently-abled
where an approach that prepares them in a manner that they integrate into the
mainstream, is being followed. Along with training the child, they also train
parents on how to look after their children at home. I was impressed with the
work being done there. In India also there is a growing consciousness on this
account. As you would be aware, India was among the first countries to ratify
the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which came into
force on 3rd May, 2008. Our ratification demonstrates our resolve to move
forward on the agenda to provide differently-abled citizens of our country with
an environment that enables them to participate in the various activities of
society and the nation. I am informed that the Government has set up a Committee
comprising disability activists, experts, State Governments and other
stakeholders to draft a new legislation to replace the existing Persons with
Disabilities Act of 1995 in line with the UN Convention. The requirements and
the concerns of the disabled should be fully reflected, and I hope that the
Committee will come up with a satisfactory and practical draft of the new
legislation before long. The basic objective of the policies should be to make
them self-reliant.
Education is very important as it provides opportunities for employment and
advancement. The goal of inclusive and universal elementary education is being
pursued under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. I am happy to learn that this has now
been supplemented by a new Scheme of Inclusive Education for Disabled at the
Secondary Stage, which covers children with disabilities studying at the
secondary stage. The aim of the scheme is to enable all students with
disabilities, completing eight years of elementary schooling, an opportunity to
complete a further four years of secondary schooling from Classes IX to in an
inclusive environment. Education must make the differently-abled strong, both
mentally and physically, to face the world. It is, therefore, necessary, that an
appropriate teaching-learning environment and provision of learning materials in
an accessible format are provided. Teachers should be trained so that they can
understand the needs of children with disabilities, and thereby teach and guide
them properly. Teachers and society should become more sensitive and sympathetic
towards disabled persons.
We need to remove physical barriers that do not allow persons with disabilities
to access various facilities and services. As a component of their right to
education, school buildings should be made free from physical barriers for
children with special needs. Simple aids and assistive devices such as hearing
devices, limb prosthesis, wheelchairs and Braille writing equipment help them
immensely in mobility, communication and daily living. It is absolutely
essential to make such aids and appliances, including computer software,
available to all persons with disabilities, at a reasonable cost.
I believe that in this age of Information Technology, it is also imperative to
make technology accessible. I am happy to note that since last January, the
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment became the first Central Ministry to
make its website accessible to persons with disabilities. This is commendable
and worthy of emulation. The Ministry should share the basic design and features
with other Ministries and organizations so that others can follow suit. A few
others have already done so. It is also a good development that a new category
of National Award, namely for Websites with best accessibility has been
introduced this year.
The world has seen any number of eminent scientists, mathematicians, musicians,
painters, poets, dancers and athletes who had some disability or the other. All
these persons overcame various obstacles through sheer grit and determination,
and support of the family and society. The full and effective participation of a
person with disability in society on an equal basis with others can be helped by
the behavioral attitudes that they encounter when they interact in society. We
must treat them with dignity and full respect. The family, community and society
in general, have an important role to play in ensuring socio-psychological and
emotional integration of persons with disabilities. It is necessary to correct
the prevailing bias in society, particularly with regard to persons with mental
disabilities, through sustained education and awareness campaigns. Civil Society
organizations and academic institutions in the country should spearhead this
movement. Special attention must be given to women and children with
disabilities, those who are socially and economically weak, and those residing
in rural areas and urban slums, as they are the most disadvantaged.
Prevention and early detection are two other critical aspects on which awareness
needs to be generated. The schemes of Integrated Child Development Scheme and
National Rural Health Mission have an extremely important role to play in this
regard, and I urge the concerned Ministries to lay adequate stress on this
aspect while implementing their schemes. Measures such as immunization and
disease prevention, improvement of hygiene, better nutrition and access to
healthcare, maternal and neonatal care need to be taken in right earnest.
Economic empowerment of persons with disabilities is another major issue.
Opportunities for employment and self-employment for them at present are
inadequate. No doubt, we have provisions for reservation in employment in all
establishments in the Government Sector, but the backlog of reserved vacancies
for persons with disabilities, needs to be filled up through concerted action by
all Government organizations. Similarly, the private sector must come forward to
provide employment opportunities to persons with disabilities in their
establishments and industries. Given the right environment and job selection,
there is absolutely no doubt that a person with disability is in no way less
capable than anybody else. The new scheme of Skill Development Initiative must
be adequately tailored to meet the needs of persons with disabilities, so that
they acquire skills suited to them, as well as in demand, in the job market.
Both government and the private sector will have to work hand in hand in this
regard.
In conclusion, I would like to re-emphasize that all Indian, irrespective of any
limitation or impairment, have the right to realize their full developmental
potential. Therefore, besides a robust policy framework, we must have an
efficient and effective delivery mechanism. The Central and especially State
Governments must partner with Civil Society and the private sector, in their
endeavor to create an inclusive society.
I congratulate the awardees and convey my best wishes to them for their future.
They will be an inspiration to others. Let us all pledge to work towards the
empowerment and inclusion of all.
Thank You.
Jai Hind!
secondary source:
http://www.inclusiveplanet.com/en/channelpost/789977
--
best regards
you can also join me and my collections on www.inclusiveplanet.com
I am running various channels there: readers! if you are intrested in
social sciences you are most welcome hear!. books, articles, news and
views will be entertained hear. do not miss the benefits: join soon!
http://www.inclusiveplanet.com/en/group/447004
and I am also running channel journalism: media is a powerful mesanger
between ruler and the ruled. hence its vigilence is very essential. we
always hear and read, media is the forth state. and very powerful to
creat awareness among the masses. now question arisis, are media
fulfilling their responsibility impartially and succesfully? we will
observe and understand. in this channel your contribution is warmly
welcome!
http://www.inclusiveplanet.com/en/group/714689
avinash shahi
parsuing masters in political science
Jawaharlal Nehru university, new delhi.
mobile:: 9871184904
e-mail: [email protected]
--
best regards
you can also join me and my collections on www.inclusiveplanet.com
I am running various channels there: readers! if you are intrested in
social sciences you are most welcome hear!. books, articles, news and
views will be entertained hear. do not miss the benefits: join soon!
http://www.inclusiveplanet.com/en/group/447004
and I am also running channel journalism: media is a powerful mesanger
between ruler and the ruled. hence its vigilence is very essential. we
always hear and read, media is the forth state. and very powerful to
creat awareness among the masses. now question arisis, are media
fulfilling their responsibility impartially and succesfully? we will
observe and understand. in this channel your contribution is warmly
welcome!
http://www.inclusiveplanet.com/en/group/714689
avinash shahi
parsuing masters in political science
Jawaharlal Nehru university, new delhi.
mobile:: 9871184904
e-mail: [email protected]
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