Signature campaign on disabilities Bill launched

The event was organised in association with Karnataka State Disabled and Caregivers Federation.​

BENGALURU: A signature campaign to demand passing of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill by the Centre during the winter session of Parliament was launched at Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research here on Saturday.

The event was organised in association with Karnataka State Disabled and Caregivers Federation. Spastics Society of Karnataka, Academy For Severe Handicaps and Autism, and Assisted Living for Autistic Adults were also a part of the campaign.

The existing Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, covers only seven disabilities and conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy and thalassemia are outside its ambit. The proposed Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill-2014 will include 25 conditions under the term disabilities, including autism, muscular dystrophy, paralysis, diabetes type-I, epilepsy, dementia, kidney failure, blood cancer, thalassemia and multiple sclerosis.

The campaign was launched by Jnanpith awardee Chandrashekar Kambar. G N Nagaraj, president of Karnataka State Disabled and Caregivers Federation, said though a person is partially disabled, society treats that person as fully disabled. “Being a parent of a disabled son, I can say that the disabled persons want opportunity, not charity,” he said.  
Members of KSDCF collected over 125 signatures from the medical faculty, which will be sent to the Prime Minister.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com