New Delhi: Terming the Disabilities Act
of 1995 as "charity" by the government to differently-abled
persons, an advocacy group has asked for a new rights-based
and forward-looking law.
Disabled Rights Group, a non-political advocacy group
for the rights of people with disabilities, has asked the UPA
government not to bring amendments in the Act as it does not
acknowledge the barriers that persons with disability face
everyday, says its convener Javed Abidi.
He blamed the governments at the Centre since 1995 for
"just buying time" by just proposing amendments in the Act and
not working on it.
"So, if the successive governments since then have
failed to keep their promises in amending the charity Act,
they should go for a new law on disabilities which is
rights-based, forward looking and based on the principles of
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, of
which India is a signatory," he said.
"We term the disabilities Act 1995 as charity by the
government to differently-abled persons", the activist said.
Abidi said that disabled people are ready to help the
government in the process of making the new law, which should
have "proper" definition of disability.
To get their voice heard and recommend suggestions to
the government, persons with disabilities from across the
country are participating in a two-day national consultation
from tomorrow.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 18:45