Sansad TV Perspective: Enable the Disabled

In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.

In this article, we feature the discussion on the topic: Enable the Disabled

Anchor: Teena Jha

Participants: 

1. Deepa Malik, Athlete & Paralympian
2. Sharad Kumar, Para High Jumper
3. Rahul Gambhir, Secretary, National Association for the Blind

Context: 

Civilisations flourished in the remotest valleys of history and witnessed the evolution of the human race travelling a long distance till the hours of the present. Today, we live in a world that houses a vibrant transforming population that is characterized by – 

• trending passion towards technology 
• rising demand for jobs
• extensive competitive environment
• emerging geopolitical sensitivities
• complicated socio-economic challenges
• implications of natural disasters like the covid-19 pandemic
• diminishing natural resources
• climate change 
• growing opportunities with enormous emphasis on innovation.

Amidst all the characteristics of the expanding population, there is an emerging concept of sustainability that is summarised through the futuristic Sustainable Development Goals. 

Such goals envisage progress which includes everyone irrespective of gender, caste, religion, economic status and disabilities. 

Every year the 3rd day of December is dedicated to the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities and to spread awareness through several welfare programmes of the government. This day is celebrated as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 

Importance of the context:

The context gathers prominence with the rise of major concerns regarding the efficacy and validity of Government policies, the programmes and conventions of International Organisations in addressing the hurdles of disabled individuals and their secure future that lightens up the spirit of inclusion among those persons with disabilities. 

Read more about the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in the linked article.

Who are Persons with Disabilities?

• The Persons with Disabilities include all those individuals with disabilities like long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which act as barriers in their effective participation in society and their interactions with people. This is defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016
• According to the census data of 2011, about 2.21% of the Indian population has a disability. 

Provisions of the Indian Constitution for the Persons with Disability:

• Article 41: This Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) entitles the state to introduce effective schemes in order to secure rights to work, education and other assistance for old age persons and persons with disabilities.
• The relief for the disabled and unemployable is mentioned as a subject in the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. 

What are the Challenges?

• Social acceptability has become a problem for disabled individuals in many parts of the country and across the globe. 
• There have been awareness programmes and motivational talks to educate society about offering a benevolent touch towards the disabled section so that the disability transforms into an equal opportunity to live normally in society. 
• Social acceptance will encourage them to come outside the gloom and avail the opportunities:
  • in education
  • access to health
  • access to jobs
  • participate in competitive examinations with a percent of seats reserved for employment in government services
  • access to proper sanitation
  • opportunities to represent the country internationally in sports

How is the Government Intervening?

1. The Accessible India Campaign:

• This is a flagship campaign that is running across the country to establish universal accessibility for the disabled section of the population.
• This aims to engage persons with disabilities in employment and create an inclusive society for them.

Read more about the Campaign in the given link:

Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan

2. Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme:

• This intends to provide financial assistance by funding the NGOs that work towards the welfare of the persons with disabilities.
• The financial aid is given for activities like vocational training, establishing schools, community-based rehabilitation for the betterment of the disabled people.

3. National Fellowship for students with disabilities

• Under this fellowship, disabled students are provided opportunities in higher education.
• It grants about 200 fellowships every year.

4. There are various schemes that look after the welfare of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities.

Walking Ahead:

• The UN General Secretary called for an enhanced impetus towards a more inclusive society that discards barriers towards the disabled section of the population. This needs an intense realization and policy intervention.
• Experts recommended a compassionate approach towards persons with disabilities that will help them to open up with people and spread the sensation of inclusiveness among them. 
• This is when we, as the human race, will head towards a future of shared prosperity, empathy towards humanitarian needs and thereby uphold the underpinning principle of ‘leaving nobody behind’ that is echoed loudly from the sustainable development goals that we have given to ourselves.

Read more summaries of Perspective in the link.

Perspective: Enable the Disabled:- Download PDF Here