News

Volume 9 Issue 7 - June 15, 2012

National Advisory Council supports full legal capacity

D.N.I.S. News Network, India: The National Advisory Council (N.A.C.) has come in support of full legal capacity in its recommendations on the proposed new disability legislation. It has also underlined the need to review all laws concerning disability in close coordination so as to avoid inconsistencies and duplication.

N.A.C in its recommendations stated that “it endorses the principle which recognises the need of supported decision making in certain cases. However it is convinced that there is a need to introduce further appropriate safeguards, as specified by C.R.P.D. for exercise of supported decision making, to protect the interests of persons with disabilities.”

The recommendations also said that where local networks of persons with disabilities exist, they should be given a greater role in ensuring that supported decision making reflects the true aspirations and best interests of persons with disabilities.

On the issue of multiple authorities as they exist today (on account of multiple legislations), N.A.C. proposes that, “the wide diversity of institutions concerned with rights of persons with disabilities are converged and rationalised to the extent possible.”

“ This would save costs, prevent the creation of a large bureaucracy, and above all provide a single window of contact at the central, state or district level for persons with disabilities to access their rights and secure redressal of their grievances,” the recommendations added.

This consolidates the position of Disabled Rights Group (D.R.G.) and a huge section of likeminded allies who have always maintained that unless the core issues of legal capacity, multiplicity of laws and authorities, among several others are not addressed, the proposed law will remain a pipe dream.