News

Volume 2 Issue 16 - August 15, 2004

NCPEDP celebrates Independence Day with the launch of its inclusive education campaign

DNIS News Network - On August 15, as the nation celebrated its 57th Independence Day, an inclusive education campaign was launched by National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People.

The campaign is designed to increase awareness about the difficulties and obstacles faced by disabled students in India. It followed a study carried out by NCPEDP to assess the educational status of disabled youth, the first study of its kind in the country.

A poster, unveiled at the launch event by the Minister for Human Resource and Development, Arjun Singh, has been sent to education institutions throughout India. A television commercial produced by Dr Parvez Imam was also screened. It has been broadcast by Zee News, Sony Entertainment TV and India TV.

The campaign highlights the fact that disabled students are still being excluded from the education system. The message from Javed Abidi, executive director NCPEDP, is spelled out on the posters: "In our 57th year of Independence, less than 2 per cent of India's disabled youth benefit from mainstream education. It is time we include those who are denied access."