Peren, October 30 (MExN): A sensitization and awareness campaign programme on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 for all Head of Offices under Peren district was held on October 29 at DC's Conference Hall, New District Headquarter, Peren.
The programme was organized by Mission Mode Team (Accessible India Campaign) in collaboration with Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and the campaign was chaired by DC Peren, Sentiwapang Aier, NCS, stated a DIPR report.
Speaking on the campaign as resource person, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Diethono Nakhro stressed on the overview of RPwD Act, 2016, Status of Implementation & Way Forward and stated that there are 21 Specified Disabilities under the RPwD Act, 2016 and it contains 17 chapters and 102 sections.
She added that under the Act, all educational institutions funded or recognized by the Government shall provide inclusive education to children with disabilities from the age of six to sixteen years, the Government is required to take steps for development of skills and employment such as providing loans, training and marketing of products, required to take measures to provide accessibility in the physical environment, transportation, information and communications including appropriate technologies and systems in both urban and rural areas, special courts are to be designated in each district to handle cases concerning violation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
She also expressed the need to provide an educated mentor or a teacher who can give proper education to the persons with disabilities and also shared the status and difficulties faced by the disabled persons. In addition, she also spoke on the importance of accessibility and the need to promote sign language in our state for the disabled persons.
Nakhro further asserted that disabled persons are the most neglected ones in the society, therefore, it is the responsibility of the Government to ensure that persons with Disabilities enjoy the “Right to equality, life with dignity and respect for his/her own integrity equally with others.”
Secretary & Team Leader, Mission Mode Team (AIC), K Libanthung Lotha, while highlighting on the roles and responsibilities of the Mission Mode Team (AIC), asserted that it is a nation-wide flagship campaign programme carried out by the Government of India based on RPwD Act, 2016 to achieve universal accessibility for persons with disabilities.
He stated that Peren is the fourth district in the state to conduct this campaign which will be continuing in other districts too. He mentioned that RPwD Act, 2016 came into force on April 19, 2017 which was passed by both the Houses of the Parliament on December 16, 2016 replacing the older Act i.e. Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. The Act was passed to fulfill India's obligation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) which India ratified in 2007, Libanthung added.
He further appealed to the district officials, NGOs and Stake holders that it is their sole responsibility to sensitize all the people as directed by the Supreme Court of India and be an agent for successful implementation on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
During the programme, Prodigal's Home, Dimapur, Director, K Ela also spoke on Disability Scenario in Nagaland Challenges and Opportunities while Court Directives/Legal Implications of Non-Compliance was highlighted by Guwahati High-Court Kohima Bench, Advocate, Apila Sangtam.
