HYDERABAD: With an objective to discuss the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2016, that came about in December 2016, All India Disabled Rights Forum (AIDRF), held a session on Saturday. Special educators, Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and several others attended the session to discuss the state of PWDs in Telangana.
M Jagadeeshwar, principal secretary, Department of Women Development and Child and Disabilities Welfare stressed that there is a need for the community members to understand their rights in order to claim a respectable position in the society. “From my side, I will ensure that all stakeholders from the state departments are sensitised about the new Act,” he said.
Some of the issues that were pointed out during the meeting included non-availability of schools for the mentally challenged in Telangana.
“One of the amendments that needs to be acknowledged is identification of disabilities that has increased from seven to 21. Budget allocation still remains low and there is only one per cent increase in reservation for employment,” said D Papa Rao, advisor to the AIDRF.
He also pointed that an attitudinal change is the most important thing and needs to be addressed immediately.
“They have allocated `1,500 for disabled pensioners and that is about it. No one cares beyond that,” Rao further added.
Members of the community suggested that budget allocated for the community should be increased along with reservation for them.