Govt plans app for the disabled
NEW DELHI: Now a person with disability or any other person will be able to upload pictures and status of accessibility of buildings and public spaces via an app on the portal to be created by the ministry of social justice and empowerment.
The ministry is creating the dedicated portal for the disabled where they can directly forward their grievances for action.
The Centre's ambitious Accessible India Campaign ( Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) will start from seven states - Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Assam, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Haryana- from this year envisaging a nation-wide awareness campaign towards universal accessibility for all citizens including persons with disabilities.
According to senior officials of the ministry, it has created a dedicated program management unit, steering committee and other sub-committees in the ministry with representation of professionals and experts to create media strategy and media planning, conduct awareness workshops for sensitization of all key stake holders as identified and creation and dissemination of educational booklets for spreading the awareness. The next stage is to sign MoU with various ministries and state government agencies for their role and responsibilities for the campaign. This nationwide flagship campaign is aimed at achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
According to 2011 census over 2.2% of the population is disabled, while the erstwhile Planning Commission estimated that 5% of the population of India is disabled. According to WHO 8% of the Indian population is disabled.
The meeting had representatives from national institutes (visual, hearing and physically handicapped) and office of chief commissioner for persons with disability. State government officials and representatives from ministries like labour, social welfare, health, sports and youth affairs, urban development, civil aviation, rural development and ASI, Delhi Metro and CPWD, were also present.
In line with "Nothing about us, without us", the steering committee had representation from disability sector which includes Svayam, Samarthyam, Enabling Unit of the University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi University and National Association for the Blind giving critical inputs.
While the plan is to achieve a barrier free environment for the PwDs in next five years, the initial impetus is on capacity building and awareness campaign.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Disabled-cricket-lovers-want-equal-access-to-Kotla/articleshow/47240825.cms
