International Day of Persons with Disabilities and India

 Reference:

Every year on 3 December, ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ is observed globally. This day celebrates the resilience, strength, leadership and contribution of persons with disabilities (PwD) across the world. This day emphasizes the global commitment to promote inclusiveness, advocate for the rights of PwD and create equal opportunities for all.

About International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024:

• Establishment: ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ was declared in the year 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3.
• Objective: To promote the rights and welfare of PwD in all spheres of society and development and to raise awareness about their status in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
• Theme for the year 2024: "Promoting the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future".
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: The United Nations adopted the 'Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities' in the year 2006.
  • It has advanced the rights and welfare of PwD in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other international development frameworks.
  •  India signed this convention on 30 March 2007.

• Various initiatives for PwD empowerment by the Government of India
• India has made significant progress in promoting the rights and inclusion of PwD through various policies and campaigns. These include the following important initiatives:

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

• Establishment: On May 12, 2012, the Department of Disability Affairs was established separately from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Objective: To focus on policy issues and to give significant impetus to activities aimed at welfare and empowerment of PwDs.
• Renaming: On December 8, 2014, the name of the Department was changed to ‘Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities’.
• Major Functions: The Department acts as a nodal agency for matters related to disability and PwDs.

Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan

• Launched: December 3, 2015
• Objective: To achieve universal accessibility for PwDs across India.
• Key Focus Areas:
  • Improving built environment accessibility in public places
  • Enhancing transport accessibility for independent mobility
  • Creating an accessible information and communication ecosystem
  • Interpreter training
  • Expanding access to sign language through media support

Deendayal Divyangjan Punarvasna Yojana:

• What is it: Launched in the year 1999, it is a Central Sector Scheme.
• Function: To provide grant-in-aid to non-governmental organizations for projects related to rehabilitation of PwD.
• Objective:
  • To create an enabling environment for ensuring equal opportunity, equity, social justice and empowerment for PwD.
  • To encourage voluntary action to ensure effective implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

District Disability Rehabilitation Centre:

• Started: From the year 1999-2000
• Objective: To meet the needs of PwD through a multi-pronged approach.
• Objectives:
  • Early identification and intervention of disability
  • Awareness building
  • Need assessment and fitting of assistive devices
  • Arrangement of loans for self-employment
• In addition, it acts as an outreach centre for the services provided by the national institutions and works towards promoting a barrier-free environment for PwD.

Scheme for Assistance for Purchase/Fitting of Assistive Devices to PwD:

• The main objective of the scheme is to provide grant-in-aid to various implementing agencies (National Institutes/Joint Regional Centres/Artificial Limb Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO)/District Disabled Rehabilitation Centres/State Disabled Development Corporations/Other Local Bodies/NGOs).
  • To assist the needy PwDs in purchasing durable, sophisticated and scientifically designed, modern, standard assistive devices.
  • To promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation by reducing the effects of disability and also to enhance their economic capacity.

Schemes for Implementation of Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act 2016:

• Scheme for Implementation of Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act 2016 (SIPDA) is a comprehensive ‘Central Sector Scheme’.
• It comprised of 10 sub-schemes in the year 2021.
  • This revised scheme is designed to operate from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
  • The collective objective of these components is to empower PwDs, ensure accessibility, inclusiveness and holistic development.

Major schemes under SIPDA:

• Creation of barrier-free environment for PwDs.
• Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan to enhance accessibility.
• National Action Plan for Skill Development of PwDs.
• Project for issuance of Unique Disability Identification Cards.
• Awareness creation and publicity combined with in-service training.
• Sensitization of key government officials, local bodies and other stakeholders.
• Financial assistance for studies and research on priority areas in the disability sector.
• Research and development of suitable products, aids and devices for empowerment of PwD.
• Establishment of Cross Disability Early Intervention Centres to address disabilities at an early stage.

Divya Kala Mela:

• Divya Kala Mela is a national level fair dedicated to PwD.
• It is an important milestone in India’s journey towards inclusion and empowerment of PwD.

PM-DAKSH

• PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Benefactor) Yojana is a one-stop portal for PwD, skill training organizations and employers across India.
• This portal is to be a part of the National Action Plan for Skill Development of PwD implemented by the Department of Empowerment of PwD.
• There are two modules under this portal:
  • Divyangjan Skill Development: Skill training for PwD is conducted through the portal across the country.
  • Divyangjan Rojgar Setu: This platform aims to act as a bridge between PwD and employers employing PwD and provide geo-tag based information about employment/income opportunities.

Conclusion:

‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ is a call to nations globally to recognize the potential of persons with disabilities as active contributors to society. Various initiatives taken by India exemplify progress towards an inclusive and equitable future.