Wasted Laws

The government’s Disability Act promises much but delivers little

India has had a disability act, called The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, since 1995. Broadly, it deals with government-sponsored education, employment and equal access facilities in public places. Perhaps the most aggressively implemented part of this act is the employment of Class C and D employees in government institutions. As for the rest: the less said of it, the better. However, here’s a brief list of promises the government made under this act and mostly?did not keep.

§ Will ensure that every child with a disability has access to free education in an appropriate environment till he is 18.

§ Will remove architectural barriers from schools, colleges or other institutions imparting vocational and professional training.

§ Transport departments will adapt rail compartments, buses, vessels and aircraft for wheelchair access.

§ Will install auditory signals at red lights on the road; slopes on pavements, engravings on zebra crossing and on the edges of railway platforms for the blind.

Source: DATAQUEST
Dated: April 30, 2001