Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, provides for medical facilities, education, employment, creation of barrier free environment, social security etc. The State Government is instrumental in implementing the various provisions of the Act. The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (SJ&E) is the nodal Department for coordinating and facilitating the implementation of the Act. To give impetus to the implementation of the Act, a State Level Coordination Committee under the Chairpersonship of the Hon’ble Minister (Social Justice & Empowerment) has been constituted. This committee is being supported by the State Executive Committee to review and formulate the strategy for implementation of different provisions of the Act in coordination with different departments.
The State Policy is based on the vision of having an inclusive and non disabling society where every person with disability is mainstreamed into society. It provides a framework for the Government to create an enabling environment to achieve this. It seeks to remove barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from participating fully in society. This policy statement attempts to cover the range of barriers experienced by the persons with disabilities – public attitudes, human rights, employment and educational opportunities and provides a framework for developing strategies and action plan for removing those barriers enabling their participation in the society.
For the purpose of achieving the vision of mainstreaming the Persons with Disabilities the following components are envisaged in the Policy:
- Prevention of Disabilities
- Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities
- Enabling Environment for the Persons with Disabilities
Welfare Schemes for Disabled
Disability refers to physical and mental incapabilities of people. It arises either because of birth defects or post birth circumstances like accidents, diseases and harm to mental health etc. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 (it replaced the earlier 1995 bill) covers the various rights of disabled. Some of its focus areas are:
- Providing reservation for disabled in employment and education
- Providing rights and entitlements to disabled persons. For Example, disabled friendly access to all public buildings, hospitals etc.
- It provides guardianship to mentally ill persons
- It has penal provisions for violation.