Sensitization among stake holders of Government & Nongovernmental organisations for creating Accessibility in infrastructure for persons with Disabilities

After J&K High Court orders in Public Interest litigation filed by Javed Ahmad Tak a sensitization cum training programme was organised by social welfare department government of J&K under the chair of Shree Rohit Kansal and nodal officer for the programme Iqbal lone presently holding post of Commissioner for persons with Disabilities JK. The resourse persons for the sensitisation programme was Nipun Malhotra and his team and Mr George Abraham founder and CEO SCORE foundation New delhi.

The programme was attended by a bench of 4 judges, 10 nodal officers deputed by government from various departments, Disable peoples organisations and non governmental organisation working in the area of disability. Besides the volunteers from various organisation various individuals and head of department school of Architect Degree college Bemina participated.

The team of resource persons from Nipon Foundation conducted access audit of Lower Court Srinagar as per High Court Directions. Tomorrow the team is going to audit High Court building and submit report for creating complete accessibility for persons with disabilities in these Courts.

The 1st session programme was conducted by Commissioner disability who gave comprehensive report about government initiates for the empowerment of persons with disabilities. He said that Kashmir government is dedicated and committed for overall development of 21 bench mark type of disabilities as mandated by the Rights of persons with disabilities Act 2018.

The litigant of the PIL Javed Ahmad Tak highlighted the problems faced by persons with disabilities in access to services like education , government buildings, websites, ATMs and access to justice and employment. Javed said that starting from home persons with disabilities are facing discrimination in accessing footpaths, school buildings, teaching learning material and special educators. There are problems in strengthening the mechanism of issuing disability certificates to the deserving disable persons. In addition the social welfare offices are inaccessible to persons with disabilities. The recruiting agencies like public service commission and state services recruitment board and recruiters at district level while serving quota to educated persons with disabilities. Access to justice is beyond reach of persons disabilities tak added. Tak was of the opinion that persons with disabilities could be empowered when stake holders , judiciary, community and persons with disabilities will collectively work with full commitment and dedication.

State president J&K handicapped association Abdul rasheed bhat stressed for creating access to all kinds of services without casting doubts on abilities of persons with disabilities.

President Haemophilia association syed majid said that according to law we are liable to seek disability certificates but due to pendency in rule formation the disability certificates are not being issued among new types of benchmark disabilities. Government has not been prioritising the disability issues majid added