Meetings

The National Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (NCRPD) met in Delhi on 1^st February 2018 to discuss several issues pertaining to the new law, accessibility, among others. Mr. A. S. Narayanan, President of National Association of the Deaf, Mr. Anuj Jain, Joint Secretary of NAD, Mr. Siddharth Gautam, Member of NAD, Mr. Sachin Singh, Instructor of Indian Sign Language Research & Training Centre, & Ms. Manisha Sharma, Student of ISLRTC participated in the meeting.

Mr. A. S. Narayanan had talks on deaf & hard of hearing issues to disabled leaders from all over India participating in the meeting.

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The celebration continued all the way to Hon'ble Minister Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot's residence, New Delhi on 16th December 2016. 500 deaf and disabled people representing various groups reached the Minister's residence to thank him and celebrated with him and the officials of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

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Mr. Anuj Jain (Joint Secretary, NAD), Mr. G. Surya Pratap (Co-Worker, NAD), Ms. Rupmani Chhetri (Deaf Women Committee, NAD) and Mr. Sachin Singh (Member, NAD) participated  in the Meeting of the National Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New Delhi on 10^th December, 2016 discussing various issues such as Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, Inclusion of disability in Sustainable Development Goals.

PASS THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES BILL

JUST A FEW MINUTES TO GRANT US OUR RIGHTS -  DEMAND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES !

Its been a six year long wait for 10% people of this great democracy. People with disabilities in the country have waited for a legislation that will bring them closer to their goal of equality and justice. And now so close to achieving it, a cruel twist of fate has blocked their dreams. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill which was tabled in the Rajya Sabha last week is yet to see the light of the day, as the Parliament was adjourned. Parliament is reconvening on 14^th December.   We have three days to pass this Bill. It will take just a few minutes to change the lives of nearly 10 crore people. People with disabilities want only sixty seconds in the Rajya Sabha time to help change their destinies. No party opposes any aspect of his Bill.

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill will affect the lives of close to hundred million disabled people in India who struggle everyday to lead a life of dignity and equality and of equal opportunity. Their struggles against discrimination and deprivation had reached a crescendo which resulted in the Bill.

Some highlights of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill  are given below:

The Bill covers 21 categories of disabilities. People with Autism, Neurological impairment, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, Hemophilia, learning disabilities and several other impairments will benefit from the passing of the Bill.  The earlier Act (Disability Act 1995) covered only seven categories of disabilities.

The Bill  provides rights to people with all disabilities which didn’t exist before like –

-       right to equality and non discrimination 

-       right to home and family

-       access to justice

-       protection from abuse, violence and exploitation

-       protection from cruelty and inhuman treatment

-       right to inherit and own property

-       reproductive rights 

-       accessibility of buildings, transportation, information, communication, technologies, media and electronic goods and has  timelines to make them accessible. 

-       Increase in reservation in higher educational institutions from 3% to 4% for persons with disabilities. With an improved definition of disability, a lot more people would be covered.

-       Increase in Government and public sector employment from 3% to 4% for persons with disabilities and covers more categories of people with disabilities like intellectual impairment, mental illness, autism, multiple disabilities, etc.

-       Increase from 3% to 4% reservation in all poverty alleviation programmes. With improvement in definition of disabilities, more people will benefit from programmes. Further, it says quantum of assistance to persons with disabilities under social security schemes and programmes shall be at least twenty-five per cent higher than similar schemes applicable to others. Recognising “disability cost‟ and making a provision for it would be a major gain.

-       Reservation in allotment of agricultural land and land for purpose of housing, business, recreation, etc. which will help people with disabilities to acquire assets

-       There are punishments and penalties for those who violate the provisions of the Bill.

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Mr. A. S. Narayanan, Secretary of National Association of the Deaf, and Mr. Sachin Singh, Member of NAD participated in the meeting on 5^th  – 6^th March 2016 at Seminar Hall, USI, New Delhi.

NCPEDP with support from Mphasis organised a training on accessibility standards and audits for National Disability Network leaders from across the country. Here are some pictures. This training is being conducted by DEOC - Diversity and Equal Opportunity Centre.

National Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities India (NCRPD) meeting held in Delhi. Issues such as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, the amendment to the National Building Code, future course of the National Disability Network, DPI India and the upcoming DPI World Assembly, among others were discussed. 

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Mr. A. S. Narayanan, Secretary of NAD, Mr. Anuj Jain, Joint Secretary of NAD, Mrs. Geeta Sharma, Women Secretary of NAD and Mr. Sachin Singh, Member of NAD participated in the meeting on 5^th & 6^th September 2015 at Seminar Hall, USI, New Delhi.

A very good 2 days long meeting. Heavy duty brainstorming. Many new ideas. NCRPD committed itself to making India accessible. We will unveil the agenda as we go along. For now, one single demand. Let's all collectively ensure that the 98 Smart Cities are built/developed on the principles of Universal Design. Don't allow any more construction which effectively leaves disabled people out and not just excludes them but discriminates against them.

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The Disability Rights Fund (DRF) organized a 'Roundtable on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill' on 31^st January to 1^st February in New Delhi, India.

The Bill was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) earlier in 2014. The Committee then invited feedback and suggestions from the general public on the Bill and received an overwhelming response from various organizations, activists and individuals.

NCPEDP commissioned a Study to the Diversity and Equal Opportunity Centre (DEOC) to collate feedback and suggestions that were sent to the Committee. This was completed in December 2014.

Based on the findings of the Study, NCPEDP decided to organize a Roundtable meeting of a few key leaders of the Indian disability movement from across the country. Mr. A.S. Narayanan, Secretary of NAD, Mr. Anuj Jain, Joint Secretary of NAD & Mrs. Geeta Sharma, Women Secretary of NAD were invited to participate in the workshop.

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National Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (NCRPD) meeting was held in Delhi on 12-13 April, 2014. Nearly 25 leaders and experts from across disability and across the country participated in this very important meeting. NCRPD was formed in 2008 and has in the past, led advocacy initiatives vis-a-vis disability issues. In fact, the idea of a new law on disability came from a meeting of NCRPD (something that many opposed & ridiculed at that point). Day 1 of the meeting discussed important issues such as the way forward on ALL disability legislations; presentation form the Gujarat National Disability Network (NDN) partner; a presentation on rights of persons affected by leprosy and work done my Disabled Rights Group (DRG) and NDN in inclusion of disability in the formulation of the 12th Five Year Plan

Anuj Jain, Joint Secretary and Vishal Arora, Treasurer of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) at the National Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (NCRPD) meeting in New Delhi, India

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Based on all the feedback received, DRG has had two internal meetings to review the entire matter. Later today, at 5.30 pm, we have convened a meeting of all the key people based in Delhi. SK Rungta, Rajive Raturi, representative of RVM, Merry Barua, and several others have all agreed to meet. We will keep you informed.

NEW DISABILITY RIGHTS BILL UPDATE; 24TH JANUARY: An extremely important meeting took place earlier today evening at AADI. The following persons attended: SK Rungta, National Federation of the Blind; Deependra Manocha, National Association of the Blind;Merry Barua, Action for Autism; Rashtriya Viklang Manch's Shailendra; Muralidharan, Nprd India; Rajive Raturi, HRLN; Radhika Alkazi, ARTH ASTHA; S hanti Auluck,Muskaan Dera;Syamala Gidugu, AADI; Vandana Bedi, AADI; Dorodi Sharma, NCPEDP; and me. The discussion was centred around 3 options:

1. to kill the Bill and not allow it to be tabled;
2. to try and get it tabled and then referred to a Standing Committee;
3. to try and get it passed.

The broad understanding that emerged was for us to first identify the most significant/glaring issues that need to be addressed. Take those to MSJE and negotiate corrections and changes. Based on their response, decide the further course of action and NOT rush into the "kill the bill" mood. We decided to meet again tomorrow. The meeting would take place at NAD.

HARD AT WORK (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT): Shanti Auluck, Merry Barua, G. Syamala, Dipendra Manocha, SK Rungta, Rajive Raturi, and Shailendra Yadav. Vandana Bedi and Javed Abidi are also present but not seen in the photo.

NEW DISABILITY RIGHTS BILL UPDATE; 27TH JANUARY: Undaunted by barbs, criticism, even personal insults, one moves on. Ahead. The group that was formed on 24th January, at an emergency meeting in AADI, had it's third meeting today. At NFB. After some back and forth, a joint position has been formed. The group has agreed to operate under the banner entitled 'Joint Forum for Disability Rights'. A draft has already been circulated, reasonably widely I would say. But, anyhow, once our Joint Memorandum is ready (by tomorrow, I hope), we will unveil it. Then, we would lobby for it. We will leave no stone unturned to "Save the Bill". With some modifications and changes of course.

Various disability sector leaders/groups met again in Delhi today to revisit the situation with the new law and discuss the strategies ahead. This includes people from AADI, Action for Autism, Arth-Astha, DRG, HRLN, Jan Madhyam, Muskaan, NAB, National Thalassemia Welfare Society, Northern Railway Physically Handicapped Employees Welfare Association, NPRD, NCPEDP, PARIVAAR, Snehi, Swablamban among others.

NEW DISABILITY RIGHTS BILL UPDATE; 29TH JANUARY: It is beyond a shadow of doubt now that a significant majority, across the Nation, wants to SAVE the Bill. It is equally true that by and large nobody wants the Bill to be passed by the Parliament in it's present shape. If the Governments listens to us and makes the 20 odd changes we have placed before them, I for one would argue (and advocate) that the Bill should get passed in the upcoming session. If not, then obviously the matter would get referred to the Standing Committee and the sector would have to wait for another 1.5 to 2 years for the law to get enacted. One of my biggest concerns right now are people who inspite of having an impairment are not even considered as disabled persons. Anyway, let's see. The next few days would be one of the most interesting (as well as challenging!) times in my 22 years in the Indian disability sector.

GOOD NEWS: The new Disability Rights Bill is to be tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, 5th February, the very 1st day of the Parliament. Joint Forum is in a meeting right now. More later.

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An eight-member delegation of the Disabled Rights Group (DRG) and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) met ArunJaitley, leader of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha, this morning in its continuing effort to seek the support of major political parties to ensure the introduction and passage of the Disability Rights Bill when parliament is convened to pass the Vote on Account in February.

The DRG-NPRD delegation explained to the BJP leader that that though the process of drafting the new law started over four years back and has gone through various stages, the Bill is yet to be introduced in the Parliament.

Arun Jaitley assured the delegation that he is all for the speedy enactment of this legislation and pledged his party’s support in getting this important Bill passed.

The members of the delegation which called upon Arun Jaitley were: Javed Abidi (Convener, DRG); Muralidharan (Secretary, NPRD); Syamala Gidugu (AADI); Neelam Jolly (VISHWAS); RadhikaAlkazi (Aarth-Aastha); Merry Barua (Action for Autism); and Zorin Singha and AS Narayanan (National Association for the Deaf).

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A eight-member delegation of the Disabled Rights Group (DRG) and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) met the Vice President of India, Shri Hamid Ansari this morning in their continuing effort to garner support for the introduction and passage of the Disability Rights Bill when parliament is convened to pass the Vote on Account.

The delegation tried to impress upon the Vice President that there has been an inordinate delay in introducing and passing the Bill which spells out the rights of persons with disabilities, though the process of drafting the new law started over four years back and has gone through various stages. The delegation sought the Vice President's support in ensuring that this extremely important piece of legislation is taken up by the government for introduction and enactment.

Shri Hamid Ansari gave the delegation a patient hearing. He said that he empathises with the cause and is all for the speedy enactment of this legislation. The Vice President said that since India has signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons (UNCRPD), it is incumbent that India harmonise its laws also in consonance with the UNCRPD.

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A seven-member delegation of the Disabled Rights Group (DRG) and the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) met CPI(M) General Secretary Shri Prakash Karat today to garner support for the introduction and passage of the Disability Rights Bill when parliament is convened to pass the Vote on Account in late January/early February.

The delegation tried to impress upon the CPI(M) leader that though the process of drafting the new law started over four years back and has gone through various stages, the delay in introducing this legislation in the Parliament is inexplicable.

The delegation conveyed to Shri Prakash Karat that this extremely important piece of legislation must be taken up by both, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha for enactment.

The CPI(M) General Secretary who gave the delegation a patient hearing said that his party is for the speedy enactment of this legislation which spells out the rights of persons with disabilities. He offered the full support of the CPI(M) in Parliament in getting this important piece of legislation passed.

The DRG & the NPRD while thanking Shri Prakash Karat hope that other political parties will offer the same amount of support for the speedy enactment of the Disability Rights Bill.

The members of the delegation who called upon Shri Prakash Karat were: Javed Abidi (Convener, DRG), Muralidharan (Secretary, NPRD), Syamala Gidugu (AADI), Merry Barua (Action for Autism), Radhika Alkazi (Aarth-Aastha), Zorin Singha & Anuj Jain (National Association of the Deaf) and Dipendra Manocha (National Association for the Blind).

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Disabled Rights Group (DRG) is convened a meeting (Tuesday, 24th December) of all the NGOs and DPOs based in Delhi, Noida, and Gurgaon at AADI to discuss further steps and strategy in order to ensure that the voice of the disability sector is heard by the Government as well as Opposition. The aim was to discuss a way forward and conceptualize strategies to ensure that the voices of people with disabilities are heard by the Government and the Opposition.

G. Syamala of AADI addresses the group. She is seen along with a sign language interpreter. Participants of the meeting convened by the Disabled Rights Group (DRG).

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