Hi a good article but an old one. Kanchan 

-----Original Message-----
From: AccessIndia [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf
Of srinivas.karnati
Sent: 28 November 2012 22:04
To: [email protected]
Subject: [AI] Right To Employment Of Disables: A Law Merely On Paper

 dear friends: greetings of the day. i am pasting below an artical which is
interested

Right To Employment Of Disables: A Law Merely On Paper

Priya Bansal - (IV Yr.)National Law Institute University (Bhopal)

Human rights are the fundamental or basic rights, which should not be taken
away by any individual or government. They comprise within its gamut the
right to life and liberty, equality, right to freedom of speech and
expression and movement, trade, profession or business freedom of movement,
thought, conscience and religion, right to work, right to education etc.,
these rights cover not only civil or political but also economic, social and
cultural dimensions. They aim at promoting social progress and better
standards of life in larger freedom.

The human rights movement has boldly and categorically shifted the attention
of policy makers from the mere provision of charitable services to
vigorously protecting their basic right to dignity and self-respect. In the
new scenario, the disabled are viewed as individuals with a wide range of
abilities and each one of them willing and capable to utilise his/her
potential and talents. Society, on the other hand, is seen as the real cause
of the misery of people with disabilities since it continues to put numerous
barriers as expressed in education, employment, architecture, transport,
health and dozens of other activities. 
Advances in medical and surgical sciences, breakthroughs in technology,
greater understanding of the causes of disability and improved methods of
coping with it, increasing consciousness of civil rights and the emergence
of people with disabilities displaying skills and knowledge to improve their
own lives, are some of the factors which have contributed to the new
thinking that the disabled deserve a dignified status in society on the same
terms as the non-disabled.

Human rights are a matter of international concern and their advocates and
guardians do exercise constructive influence across geographical and
cultural boundaries. An increasing number of countries are opting for laws
favourable to disabled people. Legislation would make direct/indirect
discrimination against the disabled punishable. Legislation establishes a
coherent and comprehensive framework for the promotion of just and fair
policies and their effective implementation. It creates formal procedures
which hasten the process of full and total integration of the disabled in
the society. Disabled people are a vast minority group, which has been
subjected to direct and indirect discrimination for centuries in most
countries of the world, including India.

In a country like India the numbers of the disabled are so large, their
problems so complex, available resources so scarce and social attitudes so
damaging, it is only legislation which can eventually bring about a
substantial change in a uniform manner. Although legislation cannot alone
radically change the fabric of a society in a short span of time, it can
nevertheless, increase accessibility of the disabled to education and
employment, to public buildings and shopping centers, to means of transport
and communication. The impact of well-directed legislation in the long run
would be profound and liberating.

In order to ensure better protection of human rights of the disabled, The
Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and
Full Participation) Act, 1995 was promulgated during the year 1995 in order
to give effect to the proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of
the People with Disabilities in the Asian and pacific Region. Chapter 6 of
the Act deals with employment and contains various incidental provisions
related thereto. But with the enactment, implementation is equally
necessary. This paper deals with the issue implementation and enforcement of
this Act.

The relevant laws to the issue are as follows: - 
International Law
International Covenant On Economic, Social And Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
The following provisions of the covenants are relevant: -
1) Art.2 - Right to non-discrimination.
2) Art.6 - Right to work.
3) Art.7 - Right to just and favourable conditions of work.
4) Art. 9 - Right to social security.
5) Art.11- Right to adequate standard of living.

Of particular importance in the acquiring of economic security is the
ability to engage in gainful employment on the basis of equality with
others. Articles 6 and 7 of the ICESCR guarantee the right to work. In
addition, these provision need to be read in conjunction with the guarantee
of non-discrimination in the enjoyment of rights contained in Art.2 (2). In
addition to the ICESCR, there are other important conventions relating to
the right of persons with disability to work. These include the ILO
Convention on Discrimination in Occupation and Employment 1958 (No. 111),
which was ratified by India on 3 June 1960, and the ILO Convention on
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) 1983 (No 159,
not ratified by India).
For this purpose general comment No.5 is important and relevant along with
the standard rules.

International Covenant On Civil And Political Rights (ICCPR)
The following articles of the covenants are relevant from the point of view
of the employment rights of the disabled:
i. Art.6 - Right to life.
ii. Art.7 -Freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and
punishment.
iii. Art.9 - Right to liberty and security of persons.
iv. Arts. 2, 3, 26 - Right to equality and the right to take part in public
affairs.

Domestic Law
Constitutional Provisions And Human Rights
While the fundamental rights stress on the existing rights, the Directive
Principles provide the dynamic movement towards the goal of providing Human
Rights for all. Right to employment under Indian Constitution can be
considered in the light of relevant provisions of part III and IV of the
Constitution and in particular the following:-
# Equality before the law and equal protection of laws within India (Art14).
# Both the expressions equality before law and equal protection of the law
have been used in Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Art.7).
# Equality of opportunity in the matters of public employment (Art.16).
# Living wage etc. for workers (Art.43).
# Art.41 directs the State to ensure the people within the limit of it
economic capacity and development, right to work, to education and to public
assistance in certain cases.

Right To Employment Under The Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunity
Protection Of Rights And Full Participation) Act, 1995 And Role Of Judiciary
Chapter - VI titled as Employment, Chapter - VII titled as Affirmative
Action and Chapter - VIII titled as Non-Discrimination of this Act are
relevant for the purposes of grant and protection of Economic Rights of
persons with disabilities. Broadly, these chapters have incorporated the
following strategy to empower persons with disabilities to enjoy Economic
Rights:
a) Section 32 of Chapter V provides that the appropriate government shall
identify posts in the establishments which can be reserved for the persons
with disabilities and also review at periodical intervals the list of posts
identify for its updating.

b) Extension of 3% reservation in favour of persons with disabilities of
which 1% each shall be reserved for the persons suffering from blindness or
low vision, hearing impairment, loco motor disability or cerebral palsy, in
all posts every establishment belonging to appropriate government (both
central and state governments) and local authorities (Section 33);

c) Section 36 also provides for carry forward of unfilled vacancies to the
succeeding recruitment year and if in the succeeding year also suitable
persons with disability is not aware it may be filled by interchange among
the three categories. If however there is no person with disability
available for the post in that year, the employer shall fill up the
vacancies by appointment of a person other than a disabled person.

d) Reservation of vacancies/benefits in poverty alleviation schemes (Section
40);

e) Provision of incentives to employers both in public and private sectors
for ensuring that at least 5% of their workforce is composed of persons with
disabilities (Section 41);

f) Provision for giving aids and appliances to persons with disabilities by
appropriate Government (Section 42);

g) Scheme for preferential allotment of land at concessional rates to
persons with disabilities for setting up business/factories etc. (Section
43);

h) Provision of accessibility features on roads to enable free movement of
persons with disabilities (Section 45);

i) Provision for making the built environment accessible and useable by
persons with disabilities (Section 46); 

j) Protection of service of an employee in the government establishment who
acquires disability during service (Section 47(i));

k) Non-discrimination in the matter of promotion on the ground of disability
(Section 47(ii)).

Section 47 of the provides that no establishment shall dispense with or
reduce in rank and employee who acquires a disability during his service.

In Kunal Singh v. Union of India and Anr. , the Apex Court considered the
issue as to whether the services of an employee who incurs any disability
during such service could be dispensed with one on the ground of such
disability. The court was considering the case of the appellant, a constable
for 17 years in Special Servive Bureau of Union of India suffering
amputation of a leg on account of an injury caused while on the duty. The
medical Board had declared him to be permanently incapacitated and therefore
appellant was invalidated from service. His petition before the High Court
challenging he action of the government and seeking relief by way of
alternative duty, which he could discharge, was dismissed by the High Court.
Allowing the appeal the Apex Court held that merely because the appellant
got invalidity pension is no ground to deny mandatory protection made
available under the Act. Once he was found not suitable for the post he was
holding, he could be shifted to some other post with same pay scale and
service benefits and if that was not possible he could be kept on a
supernumerary post until a suitable post is available or he attains the age
of superannuation. Order affirming the termination of the services was
therefore set aside and Union directed to give relief in terms of section 47
of the Act.

Section 47 again came into action in the authority of Union of India (UOI)
v. Sanjay Kumar Jain , where the respondent while working in Group-C post of
the Railways applied for promotion to Group-B post. He qualified in the
written test and was directed to undergo medical examination as per the
rules of the Indian Railway Establishment Manual (in short the
'Establishment Manual'). Passing of the medical test is a requirement before
the candidate is called for viva voce test. He was considered unfit as he
may become visually handicapped in future. The respondent was therefore not
called for viva voce test. He challenged before the CAT the order whereby it
was indicated that he was not to be called for viva voce test as he had been
declared medically unfit. It was held that while considering the case of the
respondent sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 47 were not kept in view.
Which provide for protection of service of an employee in the government
establishment who acquires disability during service and non-discrimination
in the matter of promotion on the ground of disability. CAT also took note
of the fact that a new paragraph 189A was introduced in the Establishment
Manual which clearly laid down that there shall not be discrimination in the
matter of promotion merely on the ground of physical disability. When in
appeal it was contended that sub-section (2) Section 47 of the Act permits
the appropriate Government to exclude by notification any establishment from
the provisions of the section. It was said that it only permits the
appropriate Government to specify by notification any establishment which
may be exempted from the provisions of section 47. The notification can be
issued when the appropriate Government having regard to the type of the work
carried on in any establishments thinks it appropriate to exempt such
establishment. The proviso to sub-section (2) thereof does not operate in
the absence of the notification.

Giving a wider meaning to the term disability, the Delhi High Court has
ruled that a person suffering from heart ailment is entitled to the benefits
of the Disabilities Act for the purpose of employment in the government.

In the light of ruling pronounced by the Hon'ble Supreme Court on 23/12/96
in the case of S.S. Tiwari v. Union of India, civil writ petition 585/94, a
ceiling of 5% discretionary/out of turn allotment of the total number of
vacancies occurring in each type of houses in a year has been fixed. These
include allotment of Government accommodation on medical grounds, security
grounds as well as functional grounds within this overall ceiling of 5%.

There are other provisions to ensure overall protection of the disables such
as CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, under which Rule 38 provides for grant of
invalid pension to a government servant who retire from service on account
of any bodily or mental infirmity which permanently incapacitates him form
the service.

In accordance with the provision of rule 54(6) of the Pension Rules, if the
son or daughter of the government servant is suffering from any disorder of
disability as renders him or her unable to earn a living after attaining the
age of twenty-five years, the family pension shall be payable to such son or
daughter for life. However, in case such son or daughter is one among two or
more children of the government servant the family pension shall be
initially payable to the minor children in the order of their birth and the
younger of them will not be eligible for the family pension unless the elder
next above him/her has become illegible for the grant of family pension.
Thus minor children have a prior claim for family pension till they attain
the age of 25 years and son/daughter suffering from disability, the family
pension shall be paid in the order of their birth and the younger will get
the family pension only after the elder next above him/her ceases to be
eligible.

The CCS (Leave) Rules,1972 under rule 44 provide for special disabilities
leave for injury intentionally inflicted. The rule provides that the
competent authority may grant special disability leave to a government
servant, whether permanent or temporary, who is disabled by injury
intentionally inflicted or caused in, or in consequence of the due
performance of his official duties or in consequence is of his official
position.

How Far The Act Has Been Implemented?
Though the Act has been enacted and judiciary is playing an important role
but for the full implementation of every law there has to be social
consciousness and awareness in the masses. Example can be taken form the
recent news which appeared in 'Central Chronicle' where Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh has issued orders to reserve 3 per cent of the IAS jobs in
CSE 2005-06 for persons with disability. As per the orders, 3 of the 85
posts for IAS this year will now go to persons with disabilities such as low
vision or blindness, hearing impairment and cerebral palsy.

The ministries controlling other central services - the Indian Police
Service, Indian Foreign Service and Indian Forest Service - have also been
told to examine the applicability of the Physical Disability Act, 1995, and
reservation of 3 per cent in these services. The orders came after Manmohan
Singh approved the appointment of M Satish, a physically challenged
candidate who qualified the examination in 2002 to the Indian Revenue
Service.

Satish, who secured rank 249 in the examination, had written to Singh after
he was denied the IRS for being physically challenged (right hand polio).
Like Satish, there are many other physically challenged persons who will now
get a chance if they qualify in the examination. "After the Supreme Court's
intervention, visually challenged students were allowed to take the exam.
But in the past 13 years, no student has got through," said Ravi Arora,
Physically Challenged Officer. "As I stay in Delhi, I know that there are no
seats. But what about students from Kerala, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh They
think they have failed," added Arora.

Three seats out of 85 IAS vacancies might not seem like much. But
considering there are around 800 civil service jobs offered every year,
today's decision could go a long way in addressing a major complaint of a
large section of Indian society. 
The World Social Forum 2004 (WSF), which was held in Mumbai on January 16 to
21st, has had its share of brickbats. Particularly from the 300-odd
physically disabled delegates who have repeatedly organised protest rallies
to the Media Centre to put their demands forward. The organisers had
promised to make proper arrangements for the disabled, but, except for
giving us a measly time slot of three hours to present our woes and
conditions, they have completely ignored us, says Javed Abidi, executive
director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled
People.

Only 1% of disabled people are able to find jobs. This, despite the fact
that the government has set up 28 employment exchanges to source employment
avenues for the disabled. Moreover, the 3% reservation of jobs in the
government sector is only for Class III and IV jobs. The discrimination was
recently reflected in the case of two youngsters who qualified for the
Indian Administrative Services but were given the option of the Indian
Information Services (which is several notches lower) because they were
victims of polio. There are too many factors related to disability which
need to be investigated. For example, the government of Maharashtra is yet
to appoint a full-time disability commissioner although the Law of
Disability, passed in 1995. 
According to a shadow report on disability, released recently, the office of
Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disability, who is responsible for
coordinating and monitoring work in this field, and the utilisation of funds
by the central government, has been vacant for over nine months. The
Disability Act, that promises equal opportunities to the disabled, provides
for three per cent job reservations for disabled people. However, the shadow
report reveals that, for the past four years, the annual reports of the
Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, the Ministry of Social
Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Labour do not provide any
information on the implementation status of the three per cent reservation
in government jobs.

Stressing that the government's reports are mostly sketchy and seldom
updated, the shadow report cites the example of the Ministry of Labour that
placed 3,500 disabled people in government jobs in 2001 and carried the
information in its 2003-04 annual report. 
All the reservations for jobs and seats in educational institutions are for
the SC/ST category, because they serve as a potential vote bank. Although
there are reservations for disabled people no ministry seems to take them
seriously, says Javed Abidi. "Politicians ignore us because they do not see
the disabled as a potential vote bank." Says Abidi, organizer of India's
Disabled Rights Group, which is demanding the country's political parties
pay more attention to the rights of people with disabilities.

In September 2004, the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for
Disabled People (NCPEDP) released data from a survey they conducted,
painting a terribly dismal picture. Only 119 universities all over the
country answered the survey and they have a total of 1,635 disabled
students. Other statistics are just as discouraging. In the 96 colleges that
participated, there are 679 students and in the 89 schools, there are 382
students. Significantly, several reputed institutions did not even bother
answering the survey.

Vocational training institutes that are equipped for disabled students are
also few in number. In 2003, there were 157 industrial training centers run
by the government in Karnataka; of these, the number that can accommodate
disabled people, particularly those with severe disabilities, are not many.

Education is a must but what are the employment options available to
disabled people? The Act stipulates 3 percent reservation in government jobs
but no such rule is applicable to the private sector. In 1999, a survey
conducted by the NCPEDP found that the average employment rate of disabled
people in the private sector was 0.28 percent and 0.54 percent in the public
sector. Subsequently, the NCPEDP started working with various industrial
associations in the country; the CII has responded positively, setting up a
special cell and working towards integrating disabled people in the
mainstream.

In 1977, the government reserved 3 per cent of "identified jobs" in the C
and D categories in the government and the public sector. However, only
about a lakh of disabled people have been employed since the setting up of
the Special Employment Exchange in 1951. According to the National Sample
Survey of 1991, at least seven million employable disabled people were
waiting for jobs. As many as 13 States and Union Territories do not have
Special Employment Exchanges. An NCPEDP survey of the top hundred corporate
houses in the country in 1999 revealed that disabled employees represented
only 0.4 per cent of the workforce (0.54 per cent in the public sector, 0.28
per cent in the private sector and 0.05 per cent in multinational
companies). 
However, there are several aspects of daily life that still need to be
looked into not just by the Act but also suo motu by individuals and
organisations. For example, the Act includes all government buildings and
public places in its gamut. But what about apartment blocks which are
constructed by private firms? This can be said to be one of the shortcomings
of the Act, that these buildings are left out of the Act.

The Failure To Implement: A Comparative Assessment Of The Persons With
Disabilities Act 1995 With The Americans With Disabilities Act 1990
A developing society has to be sensitive to the needs of the disabled.
Cognitive adjustments can change the way disabled people function, the
attitudes they encounter. "The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995"(PWD) is
the Indian attempt to bring about change but due to lack of implementation,
it has not made much difference. "The Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990"
(ADA) in the USA, within 10 years of legislation has made a substantial
difference to the quality of life for the disabled. In this article, I
compare the PWD with the ADA and offer suggestions on how the PWD can be
better implemented.

In the USA, the rights of an individual with disability are protected by
"The Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990" along with The Air Carriers Act,
Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act, Rehabilitation Act and Architectural Barriers Act. The
equivalent legislation in India is "The Persons with Disabilities Act,
1995". The salient features of the statutes of both countries are similar
and seek to provide for education, employment, affirmative action, full
participation, non-discrimination, research and manpower development. While
USA has successfully implemented the legislation during the past decade,
India has painfully dragged its feet.

Failure In Implementation Of The Pwd Vis-A-Vis The Ada::
1. The ADA has clear and specific guidelines for implementation with
effective dates, deadlines, alternate arrangements, temporary relief's etc.
The PWD is yet to be provided with these features.

ADA lays down the requirements for 'accessibility' under the different
provisions and even the manner of compliance. The failure to comply is
termed 'discrimination'. For example, in the transport sector, one coach per
train is required to be set aside for the disabled. Purchase of new buses or
trains or vehicles after the effective dates prescribed in the statute are
to be ADA compliant and the deadlines for compliance of every organisation
providing public transport is prescribed.

Section 44 of the PWD states: "Establishments in the transport sector shall,
within the limits of their economic capacity and development for the benefit
of persons with disabilities, take special measures to- 
# Adapt rail compartments, buses, vessels and aircraft in such a way as to
permit easy access to such persons.
# Adapt toilets in rail compartments, vessels, aircraft and waiting rooms in
such a way as to permit the wheel chair users to use them conveniently. In
India the authorities concerned are yet to prescribe and ensure
implementation of specifications for 'accessibility'. The term 'within the
limits of their economic capacity and development' is used as a defense to
negate the right granted by the statute. Certain provisions of the ADA have
the 'undue financial burden limitation'. But in such cases, the authorities
concerned have to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the concerned
authorities, extent to which the financial burden is imposed on the public
entity, provide public participation by holding public hearings, provide an
opportunity for public comment and consult with individuals with
disabilities in preparing its plans for providing alternate arrangements.

2. "ADA Watch" is an effective watchdog system to monitor the implementation
of the statute. The watchdog system under the PWD is not effective. "ADA
Watch" has been operational since 1992. It reviews and evaluates on an
ongoing basis, the effectiveness of all policies, programs and activities
concerning individuals with disabilities. By January 1993, one year after
instituting the 'ADA Watch' they received 4200 complaints regarding
discrimination. Advocacy groups are formed and formal suits are being
constantly instituted in the courts. To cite a few examples of change made
due to complaints made to ADA Watch - TV stations agreed to provide sign
language interpreters for all programs they produced about elections.
Disabled in Action Inc. sued a Philadelphia restaurant for not removing a
small step that prevented access into the restaurant for wheel chair users.
Thousands of others join the list.

under the PWD the Chief Commissioner and Commissioners for Persons with
Disabilities are envisaged to be the watchdog bodies with the powers of a
civil court. However very few facilities have been provided to these offices
and they thus remain ineffective.

3. ADA requires compliance with affirmative action programs by all agencies
that receive federal assistance. PWD must initiate and sustain affirmative
action programs.

Under the ADA, government contracts include a clause saying that the
contractor agrees to take affirmative action. The contractor must prepare
and maintain affirmative action programs. If the authorities determine that
the above provision has been violated, they may impose a variety of
sanctions including canceling, terminating or suspending the contract or
debarring the contractor from future contracts.

Under section 39 of the PWD, all government educational institutions and
institutions receiving aid from the government shall reserve not less than
3% seats for persons with disabilities. Under section 42, Aids and
Appliances are to be provided to the disabled. Under section 43, there
should be preferential allotment of land to the disabled. However there is
no pressure for compliance with any of these affirmative action programs and
much needs to be done. Education and Aids and Appliances are fundamental
rights, most precious to the disabled and should be ensured at all cost.

4. ADA constantly ensures that the disabled are a group "who know what to do
when discriminated against". By 1992, within 2 years of ADA in the USA,
approximately 2 million pamphlets or information pieces on the rights of the
disabled were mailed out. 
Information on the rights of the disabled should be disseminated through
assistance manuals, question answer booklets, media campaigns etc. Every
disabled person and his family should be armed with a manual (preferably
approved by the concerned government authority) listing their rights. They
should know their rights as they encounter day to day situations at the
railway stations, post offices, cinema theatres, and libraries and as they
seek admission to educational institutions or seek employment. Each time
they encounter discrimination, there should be agencies assisting them and
taking up the issue for them.

5. ADA has a strong research agenda. Research under the PWD is inadequate.
ADA requires studies to be done on an ongoing basis by the office of
Technology Assessment and National Council on Disability. The access needs,
all forms of boarding options, cost effective methods are all being
constantly studies. Thousands of projects are continuously taken up aimed at
improving the conditions of the disabled.

Chapter IX of the PWD deals with research and manpower development. The
Chief Commissioner and Commissioners are required to submit reports to the
Central Government and the respective state governments. However research is
hardly done and reports are never submitted. A strong research agenda is
required to study the ways and means of better realizing the rights of the
disabled. The reports bring in more accountability.

Conclusion 
PWD can be an effective statute if there is better implementation.
Guidelines should be formulated and implemented. All efforts must be made to
disseminate information on the rights of the disabled. Pressure groups and
advocacy groups should actively work towards the implementation. The voice
of the disabled is weak and society has to come out stronger. The
participation of the disabled is imperative to the movement. The success in
Javed Abidi v. Union of India should lead the way to more litigation for
enforcement of the rights of the disabled.

In this case the concession which was already being granted by the Indian
Airlines to the persons suffering from blindness was also extended to those
suffering from the locomotors disability to the extent of 80% and above
(complying with S.2(i)) for traveling by air within the country at the same
rate as has been given to those suffering from blindness on their furnishing
the necessary certificate from the Chief District Medical Officer. The
petitioner also made a specific grievance in the alleging the lack of
facilities like providing aisle chair and ambulant by the Indian Airlines
which according to the petitioner is a social obligation of the Airlines and
the said Airlines must provide these minimum facilities to permit easy
excess to the disabled persons particularly those who are ortho-paedically
impaired and suffer from locomotors disability. The Indian Airlines in
course of the hearing of this Writ Petition indicated the steps taken by it
in relation to providing of aisle chair in the aircraft and providing
ambulift at different airports and satisfied the Court by filing the
affidavits in relation to the same.

Despite growing universal awareness of the rights of people with
disabilities, bold political decisions and practical actions taken in
several countries, including India, in the form of the enactment of
appropriate laws, the plight of most disabled people remains serious. Their
situation is "the silent emergency" of our times because they are prevented
from participating in the mainstream activities of society.

To counter with this situation and to protect their right to employment, new
employment opportunities should be identified and created in formal and
non-formal sectors, including the cooperatives and self-employment schemes.
As well as appropriate training and low-interest loans should be provided to
persons with disabilities to start and manage their own businesses.
Sufficient attention must be paid to the assessment and training to those
born with disabilities as well as to those who have recently acquired a
disability and thereafter providing suitable job opportunities to them.

Conveniently-located production centers should be set up to provide
economically active disabled people jobs and make sure that they are given
jobs equivalent to their qualifications. Advertisements offering job
opportunities must be worded with special care to include disabled
candidates, and employers should make sure that there is no discrimination
exercised against them at workplace.

The current quota requirements for disabled workers must be honored by
employers and those fulfilling these must be provided with inducements and
subsidies by the government and those ignoring it must be discouraged with
adequate disincentives. Government, with the help of NGOs and private
sectors, can provide specialized help and sustained support to all employers
in the recruitment, training, morale building and career development of
disabled workers as well as job orientation to disabled employment seekers.

The real danger now is that those who had been vigorously demanding its
enactment might become complacent and think that the job has been done. The
Act must be implemented in schools and colleges, in factories and
workplaces, in transport and shopping centers. People with disabilities, and
those who care for them, must ensure that discrimination is outlawed and
barriers are removed as much from the physical environment as from the
attitudes of ordinary people. The real battle for the right to full
citizenship and active participation of disabled people is ahead. The Act is
comprehensive but must be enforced with sincerity and determination.
Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of
mobile phones / Tabs on:
http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessind
ia.org.in


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



Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of 
mobile phones / Tabs on:
http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in


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

Reply via email to