AMAZING SPECIES

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

The Hindu, November 5, 2013

Know your rights

AMUTHA KANNAN

Differently-abled members from more than 10 districts of the State learnt that there were legal provisions to ensure that not only those with disability led an inclusive life, but also those without disability ensured them an inclusive-friendly atmosphere to live in.
The venue was a three-day workshop on ‘Disability and Inclusive Development’ that concluded here on Thursday.
The workshop, jointly organised by UDIS Forum and CBM, Bangalore, saw resource persons from the latter brief the participants over three days on the rights of the people with disabilities, the recourse they have in case of violation of such rights, and other concessions.
Managing trustee of UDIS Forum, Surya Nagappan pointed out that this was kind of a train-the-trainer programme through which the participants who gained knowledge about the legal provisions would go back to their respective districts and spread the information to other organisations working for the differently abled.
“There are so much that the differently abled are not aware of. For example, people are aware that accessibility for the differently abled should be ensured in public places. But through this workshop we came to know that even private organisations have to ensure disability-friendly infrastructure,” Mr. Nagappan said.
Murali Padmanaban, inclusive development manager, CBM said that the workshop was to make the differently abled understand that mainstreaming those with disabilities went beyond rehabilitation like providing tricycles, walking stick and so on. This involved showing them affection, providing them education and employment, on par with those without disabilities, he adds.
Aldrin E, managing trustee of Feed Trust, Rameshwaram, who attended the workshop, said that he would organise a district level awareness programme for the NGOs involved with the differently abled in the whole of Ramanathapuram so that the information he gained in the workshop would reach 16,000 differently abled.
The participants were also given material pertaining to legal provisions on disability for reference and sharing with other like-minded workers.

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