Glad to see a newspaper has come up with edotorial on disability very rarely it happens, no? Though, an old story again retalked, all the same, objective is commendable. Media you have power to mould the anti disability perceptions. carry on! http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120529/edit.htm A significant percentage of India’s population, nearly 2.13 per cent, suffers from some or the other disability. Yet neither societal attitudes nor the working of the government machinery reflects their concerns. Instead of going out of the way to create an enabling mechanism for the people with special needs, the Haryana government has not even cared to fill the posts meant for physically challenged. The large number of vacant positions in government departments reserved for people with special needs not only mocks at the administration’s resolve to fill the posts, but also proves that it is willing to do precious little beyond lip service. While the government’s earlier move to ban the word “handicapped” is in the right spirit, it must be realised that gainful employment is one of the core issues concerning the rights of the disabled.
Not that Haryana is the only state that is a culprit. A large majority of the state governments remain indifferent to the plight of the disabled. So much so that only 14 states have appointed full-time Disability Commissioners. Certainly, legislations have been passed from time to time to enable the disabled to lead a life of dignity. While the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities recognises that persons with disabilities are valuable human resource, the Union Cabinet even widened the definition of disabled children in the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act. However, the ground realities are not in sync with what exists on paper. While there is a clamour and genuine need for a new law, the implementation of existing laws leave much to be desired. Examples like that of the visually impaired Ajit Kumar who made it to the prestigious civil services exemplify that disability need not become a stumbling block to success. Given the right environment and disabled friendly laws, this section of population can become productive members of society. While special job placement fairs as promised by the Haryana government can yield fruitful results, what is most needed is an earnest will. It’ about time we shed prejudices and discrimination regarding the employment of people with special needs in varied fields. -- Avinash Shahi M.A. Political Science CPS JNU New Delhi India You can join my group 'World opinion' By hitting enter on http://groups.google.com/group/worldopinion/sub?s=KL4UmBQAAADtinq5nhhn1yahwny9uS1o7bui7rJFiLdJKj94WgW_0Q&hl=en Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
