Regional Workshop on Disability
The National Human Rights Commission organized a "Regional Workshop on Disability for the Northern Region" in Dehradun in Co-ordination with the National Institute for the Visually Handicapped. The Workshop which was held on May 16, 2008, was inaugurated by Justice Shri S. Rajendra Babu, Chairperson, NHRC.
In his inaugural address, the NHRC Chairperson, stressed that the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) should be approached from human rights perspective which recognizes that PWDs were entitled to enjoy the full range of internationally and nationally guaranteed rights and freedoms just as other human beings. The Chairperson said that most of the legislations were in the nature of welfare legislations, brought into force to cover the human right perspectives. Thus, the PWDs, have been depicted not as subject of legal rights but as objects of welfare, pity and charity programmes. He therefore stressed the need to move from charity-based approach to a rights-based one.
Justice Babu referred to the legal provisions in this area and said that they were intended to bring equal opportunity for the disabled. He emphasized that the disabled should not be viewed as handicapped but as persons endowed with special abilities or different abilities.
Justice Shri S. Rajendra Babu referred to the Commission's role in drafting the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). He said that NHRC's advocacy helped to retain the role for NHRIs in monitoring of the Convention. He called for stricter enforcement of domestic laws and special schemes for persons with disabilities as well as for vigorous monitoring by all concerned stakeholders.
The Chairperson emphasized that the Government, NHRC, SHRCs, NGOs, academic institutions and others have to play a very important role to safeguard the rights of the disabled. He informed the workshop that in order to create awareness and sensitize various stakeholders regarding the provisions of CRPD and with a view to monitor rights of PWDs, the Commission would be organizing five regional workshops in different parts of the country. The Workshop at Dehradun was the first in the series, he said. Justice Babu added that these Workshops would focus on access, education, employment and services.
The Commission which has been closely associated with the rights of the disabled had organized a National Conference on Disability in the year 2005. Among others, the recommendations at that Workshop included - barrier free environment, inclusive education, employment, national task force on accessible infrastructure, independent department of disability and to introduce disability component in the training of administrators. Senior Officials from different states in the Northern Region, officials concerned in the Government of India, NGOS and others participated in the Workshop.
In his inaugural address, the NHRC Chairperson, stressed that the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) should be approached from human rights perspective which recognizes that PWDs were entitled to enjoy the full range of internationally and nationally guaranteed rights and freedoms just as other human beings. The Chairperson said that most of the legislations were in the nature of welfare legislations, brought into force to cover the human right perspectives. Thus, the PWDs, have been depicted not as subject of legal rights but as objects of welfare, pity and charity programmes. He therefore stressed the need to move from charity-based approach to a rights-based one.
Justice Babu referred to the legal provisions in this area and said that they were intended to bring equal opportunity for the disabled. He emphasized that the disabled should not be viewed as handicapped but as persons endowed with special abilities or different abilities.
Justice Shri S. Rajendra Babu referred to the Commission's role in drafting the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). He said that NHRC's advocacy helped to retain the role for NHRIs in monitoring of the Convention. He called for stricter enforcement of domestic laws and special schemes for persons with disabilities as well as for vigorous monitoring by all concerned stakeholders.
The Chairperson emphasized that the Government, NHRC, SHRCs, NGOs, academic institutions and others have to play a very important role to safeguard the rights of the disabled. He informed the workshop that in order to create awareness and sensitize various stakeholders regarding the provisions of CRPD and with a view to monitor rights of PWDs, the Commission would be organizing five regional workshops in different parts of the country. The Workshop at Dehradun was the first in the series, he said. Justice Babu added that these Workshops would focus on access, education, employment and services.
The Commission which has been closely associated with the rights of the disabled had organized a National Conference on Disability in the year 2005. Among others, the recommendations at that Workshop included - barrier free environment, inclusive education, employment, national task force on accessible infrastructure, independent department of disability and to introduce disability component in the training of administrators. Senior Officials from different states in the Northern Region, officials concerned in the Government of India, NGOS and others participated in the Workshop.