News

Volume 4 Issue 2 - January 15, 2006

Training syllabus for I.A.S. officers to include crosscutting perspective on disability

D.N.I.S. News Network – Officers of the fabled iron-structure of the Indian State, the Indian Administrative Services (I.A.S.), will be sensitised on disability issues during their training at Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy with the Government of India currently reviewing the training syllabus.

A Consultation Meeting was held recently in the National Capital to seek views from a cross section of civil society representatives and concerned organisations on making these officers aware of the rights and needs of marginal social and economic groups, including disabled people.

The Department of Personnel and Training had constituted a Committee to review the syllabus of training for I.A.S. officers on their entry into the service.

Representatives and experts working in the area of gender, poverty, and disability attended the meeting. From disability sector, National Centre for Promotion of Employment of Disabled People (N.C.P.E.D.P.), Deepalaya, and Amar Jyoti Rehabilitation Centre were invited.

It was highlighted that while the two-hour module on disability in the first phase of training was adequate to sensitise the new entrants towards the issues of disabled people in India, it was not sufficient enough to equip them to face the challenges in implementing the policies for disabled people.

It was suggested that in the training module on law apart from other laws, three key disability laws - the Disability Act, the National Trust Act, and the Mental Health Act – also be taught. Research methodologies and analytical skills should be imparted and during the course of training, they should be asked to conduct case studies on various issues concerning rights and development of diverse identity groups including disabled people.

It was also suggested that a component of internship with some NGOs should be incorporated so that trainee I.A.S. officers can develop an understanding of the work of civil society organisations and how they can work in partnership with the government.

All these suggestions were noted down and it was informed that the final changes based on this consultation would be shared soon with all the stakeholders.