News

Volume 2 Issue 16 - August 15, 2004

Ministry told to refile dyslexia affidavit

DNIS News Network - The Delhi court has asked the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to file a "better affidavit" as it was not satisfied with Centre's stand on dyslexia.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's earlier affidavit stated that dyslexia could be considered as a form of mental retardation, adding a proviso that "it is not necessary for all the cases of dyslexia to show arrested or incomplete development of mind".

On June 16, the Court directed Delhi University to provisionally process the admission applications of candidates with dyslexia on the basis that they are covered under the 1995 Disability Act. The notices were also issued in this regard to the Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disability and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The initial statement made by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment was in response to that directive.

The court directives followed a PIL filed by Disabled Rights Group (DRG) after a student with dyslexia was denied entry to Delhi University under the disability quota.

The petitioner argued that dyslexia was a learning disability, which is not same as mental disability. Agreeing with the petitioner, the court directed DU to refile its affidavit.

Disabled Rights Group urged that dyslexia be considered as a disability and that people with dyslexia be given the same benefits accorded to the disabled under the Disability Act.