News
Volume 2 Issue 16 - August 15, 2004
72 days of dharna; Government yet to take action
DNIS News Network - It has been almost three months since the parents of children with mental disabilities began their protest against the exclusion of any allowances for the mentally disabled students in the state budget, writes Anu Bhambhani.

Ignoring the scorching heat and excessive rains, these parents have been protesting since May 25 to demand that their wards be educated in regular schools along with non-disabled children.
The state budget presented in July by the Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia makes provisions for opening up of special schools for hearing, speech and visually impaired. However, nothing has been mentioned about children with mental disability.
Says Ravi Hooja, of the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL): "It is the central government that provides financial assistance for the Integrated Education Plan. There are around 3,73,000 children with learning and intellectual disabilities in the state of Rajasthan in the school-going age of 6 to 14 years, yet the state budget has excluded children with mental disabilities."
It is important for children with mental disabilities to get special care in the preparatory years of their lives. However, the fullest development of such children is not possible without their inclusion into mainstream schools. After all, it is only when they interact with other non-disabled children of their own age group that a complete development of their personality is possible. In this regard Hemant Goyal, parent of a child with mental disability says, "We want the government to open up special schools for our wards as the private institutes cannot be afforded by everyone. And then, at a later stage they can be put into inclusive settings."
Another group within this union is that of professionally qualified special educators. Mahendra Sharma, a qualified unemployed special educator, says, "It is mandatory for a special educator to possess a certificate for the same from the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) to be able to teach children with disabilities. However, despite the presence of around 250 qualified special educators in the state those employed have little or no knowledge of the field and fail to understand the needs of a disabled child."
In a decision, on a petition filed against the Department of Education, Government of Rajasthan, the High Court has directed the state government to "take steps to impart requisite training to the teachers for imparting special education to the children with disabilities and to appoint them with a view to promote the integration of students with disabilities" in regular schools.
The Government was told to file a report by August 5, 2004, but the association is determined to continue its dharna till it gets a concrete assurance from the government.
(External Website)
DNIS is produced and managed by:
National Centre for
Promotion of Employment
for Disabled People
Screening Guidelines to be followed by CISF Security Staff for Passengers with Disabilities at Indian Airports
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill
Mental Health Care Bill
CRPD Monitoring Report
National Policy
20 Stories of Change(book)
Nominations open for NCPEDP- Mphasis Universal Design Awards 2016.
- List of Awardees 2015 :NCPEDP MPHASIS Universal Design Awards (2.7 MB)
- List of Awardees 2014 :NCPEDP MPHASIS Universal Design Awards (1 MB)
- List of Awardees 2013 :NCPEDP MPHASIS Universal Design Awards (1.44 MB)
- List of Awardees 2012 :NCPEDP MPHASIS Universal Design Awards (804 KB)
- List of Awardees 2011 :NCPEDP MPHASIS Universal Design Awards (864 KB)
- List of Awardees 2010 :NCPEDP MPHASIS Universal Design Awards (623 KB)
Press Release
SHELL HELEN KELLER AWARDS
NCPEDP-Shell Helen Keller Awardees 2013
Features
Interview
News
- Education Audit shows up lack of facilities for students with disabilities
- Ministry told to refile dyslexia affidavit
- NCPEDP celebrates Independence Day with the launch of its inclusive education campaign
- 72 days of dharna; Government yet to take action
- Physically disabled boy fights for the right to study
- CAG says government not meeting targets for employment
- DNIS - the way forward
- DPI meeting discusses strategy
- Government to notify welfare schemes for the disabled students by October
- Incentives policy meeting organised
Additional Links
Disability News and Information Service is produced and managed by:
National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (External Website)
C-43, South Extension, Part
- II,
New Delhi
110 049, India
Tel: 91-11-26265647, 26265648
Fax: 91-11-26265649
E-mail: secretariat@ncpedp.org
Website:
www.ncpedp.org (External Website)