Rotaract District 3010 is planning a demonstration on 3rd Feb. at India Gate Your sensitivity towards the needs of persons with disability has encouraged us to write to you and seek your support for introduction of a landmark legislation addressing the rights of persons with disability in the parliament that is to begin on 5th Feb next month. I would seek your indulgence for sharing a brief history of disability movement in India that has resulted in drafting of a law for the rights of persons with disability. First disability law in India was enacted in 1995 titled “Persons with disability Act“which came up as a result of intensive efforts by disability activists. It was couched in the charity model rather than rights based model and had many deficiencies, therefore needed to be replaced by a new disability law. Meanwhile, United Nations brought a historic convention in 2006 titled as “United Nations Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disability” (UNCRPD). India ratified UNCRPD in 2007 and since then disability sector has been persuading the Govt. to bring a new disability law that is in line with UNCRPD. Finally, the disability rights bill got drafted in 2011, and went through various consultations. Recently, it was cleared by cabinet committee in Dec 2013. The disability sector is staging a mass demonstration on 3rd Feb to pressurize the Govt. to introduce the bill in the parliament and pass it. Whatever developments one sees today in the field of disability have been the result of strong advocacy efforts by the disability sector which mainly comprises of disabled persons, parents and concerned professionals. The disability sector is pushing for the passage of the bill in the coming session of parliament that is starting on 5th Feb. 2014. If the law is not passed now it will take several more years as the general elections may bring new political formulation and uncertainty and long procedures before the new disability law becomes a reality. It is a time for us to act. We have to gather in large numbers at India gate on 3rd Feb 2014 at 11.00am and show our strength and Concern for the rights of persons with disability. We request you to send some teachers and students including students with disability to join the demonstration. A good law is a powerful instrument to fight for their human rights and bring needed services and growth opportunities for people with disabilities. We need your support and solidarity for the rights of persons with disability.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 07:54:09 +0000
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