The Commission has been deeply concerned about the protection of the rights of the disabled and has been considering various ways and means for improving their condition. With a view to better understanding the problems faced by the disabled people in the country from a human rights perspective and to enable the Commission to have regular consultation with experts in the field, it has been decided to constitute a core group on disability-related issues in the Commission with Shri B.L. Sharma, IAS, Principal Resident Commissioner, Rajasthan (former Chief Commissioner for Disabilities) as Chairman and the following experts as Members:

1. Prof. (Smt.) Amita Dhanda, NALSAR, Hyderabad,

2. Shri Lal Advani, President, Indian Association for Special Education and Rehabilitation,

3. Shri S.K. Rungta, Secretary General, National Federation for the Blind,

4. Ms. Anuradha Mohit, Deputy Chief Commissioner for Disabilities,

5. Shri Javed Abidi, Executive Director, NCPEDP,

6. Shri Thakur Hari Prasad.

The terms of reference of the Core Group shall be the following:-

· Identification of important human rights issues concerning the disabled persons.

· Review the policies adopted so far by the Central/State Governments and suggest possible interventions by the Commission and the nature of strategies to be adopted.

· Serve as a monitoring mechanism on the action taken for protection of the rights of the disabled.

· Suggest steps for creation of awareness on the rights of the disabled persons in the country.

· Identify broad areas of cooperation between the Commission and NGOs that have a good track record and are engaged in the advancement of the rights of the disabled.

· Consider any other important issue relating to disabled persons.

The Core Group shall meet at such intervals as are deemed to be necessary by the group and submit its reports and recommendations from time to time to the Secretary General.