Volume 1 Issue 8

Feature

• World Disability Day celebrations 2003: A part of the whole
  'To be a part and not apart.' World Disability Day 2003 gave the six crore disabled people of our country a new surge of energy in their fight to be a part of mainstream society.

Interview

• I don't earn money; I earn respect!
  A 2003 Helen Keller awardee, Ram Dayal Sharma innovated adaptations in aids and equipment used to help disabled children. Succeeding in giving a disabled child a bit of comfort is his prime goal, he tells Anne-Marie Prayas.

News

• Government violates its own Act
  The government discriminates against person with disability while providing posts in civil services.
• Disabled persons need jobs, not allowances
  Haryana's educated yet unemployed, visually impaired youngsters express their contempt at the state government's inability to carry out its promises.
• Visually challenged in Orissa: Tired of assurances, craving for action
  Visually challenged qualified persons serve an ultimatum to the Orissa government, demanding employment as per the 1% reservation rule in government jobs.
• Helen Keller awards honour hard work done in the disability sector
  On the eve of World Disability Day, Helen Keller awards were given to seven individuals and three organisations for their contribution to the lives of disabled people.
• Disabled physiotherapists excel in their field
  Having conquered their disability, some visually challenged physiotherapists have set out to help others lead a healthy life.
• Special Olympics Bharat gives disabled children a 'sporty' life
  Realising that disabled children also have regular needs of sport and play, Kumi Chandra has organised parents of children with disabilities into the Delhi Chapter of Special Olympics Bharat.
• Finally! A place fully accessible to disabled people
  VSO has proven its sensitivity to the disability sector by renovating its entire office and making it accessible to disabled people.
• Authorities in need of sensitisation
  "It is lamentable that on the eve of the World Disability Day, the disability sector is denied permission to carry out an awareness and sensitisation campaign," says Javed Abidi, Executive Director, NCPEDP.
• India soon to eradicate polio
  An eye-catching drop in the number of polio cases, by 90%, in the last one year reveals a promising future for the country.
• Disabled professors find no place in DU
  Several disabled scholars, in Delhi University, are jobless in spite of a 3% reservation.